1 Corinthians 8:11-13 And through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?… Now you may say to me if you please as a man, "Mr. Gough, I am a moderate drinker; I use these things in moderation, and therefore I set you a good example." I say at once, "Sir, you do not." "Well, if I drink one glass and there stop, is not that an example for others?" "No, sir; no, sir; no more than if there was a bridge built over a gulf, to fall into which was utter ruin, and that bridge will bear 150 lbs., and you weigh 1501bs., and you say to that young man (and he weighs 200 lbs.), 'Follow my example.' — 'I don't like the look of that bridge.' 'Don't be a fool, I have walked it forty years; proved it perfectly safe; never cracked with me; never sprung with me; perfectly safe.' — 'But I don't like it.' 'Don't be foolish; you can do that which I can do; now I am setting you a good example; follow me step by step.' That young man attempts to follow it; he sets his foot on the centre; crash! crash! down he goes, with a shriek, into destruction. Now, did you set a good example? No, because you didn't take into consideration the difference of weight." Before you can say to a young man, "I set you a good example," you must take into consideration the difference between his temperament and yours, his susceptibility and yours. (J. B. Gough.). Parallel Verses KJV: And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?WEB: And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died. |
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