1Cor 4:20, 8:8 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 20. For the kingdom of God . The reign of God in the church, ; meaning here, probably, the power or authority which was to be exercised in the government and discipline of the church. Or it may refer to the manner in which the church had been established. "It has not been set up by empty boasting; by pompous pretensions; by confident assertions. Such empty boasts would do little in the great work of founding, governing, and preserving the church; and unless men have some higher powers than this, they are not qualified to be religious teachers and guides." But in power . (1.) In the miraculous power by which the church was established--the power of the Saviour and of the apostles in working miracles. (2.) In the power of the Holy Ghost in the gift of tongues, and in his influence on the heart in converting men. . (3.) In the continual power which is needful to protect, defend, and govern the church. Unless teachers showed that they had such power, they were not qualified for their office. (c) "kingdom of God" (|) "word" "speech"

1 Corinthians 4:20

Verse 20. For the kingdom of God. The reign of God in the church, Mt 3:2; meaning here, probably, the power or authority which was to be exercised in the government and discipline of the church. Or it may refer to the manner in which the church had been established. "It has not been set up by empty boasting; by pompous pretensions; by confident assertions. Such empty boasts would do little in the great work of founding, governing, and preserving the church; and unless men have some higher powers than this, they are not qualified to be religious teachers and guides."

But in power.

(1.) In the miraculous power by which the church was established--the power of the Saviour and of the apostles in working miracles.

(2.) In the power of the Holy Ghost in the gift of tongues, and in his influence on the heart in converting men. 1Cor 1:18.

(3.) In the continual power which is needful to protect, defend, and govern the church. Unless teachers showed that they had such power, they were not qualified for their office.

1 Corinthians 8:8

Verse 8. But meat commendeth us not to God. This is to be regarded as the view presented by the Corinthian Christians, or by the advocates for partaking of the meat offered in sacrifice to idols. The sense is, "Religion is of a deeper and more spiritual nature than a mere regard to circumstances like these, God looks at the heart. He regards the motives, the thoughts, the moral actions of men, The mere circumstance of eating meat, or abstaining from it, cannot make a man better or worse in the sight of a holy God. The acceptable worship of God is not placed in such things. It is more spiritual; more deep; more important. And therefore, the inference is, "it cannot be a matter of much importance whether a man eats the meat offered in sacrifice to idols, or abstains." To this argument the apostle replies, (1Cor 8:9-13,) that, although this might be true in itself, yet it might be the occasion of leading others into sin, and it would then become a matter of great importance in the sight of God, and should be in the sight of all true Christians. The word "commendeth" (παριστησι) means, properly, to introduce to the favour of any one, as a king or ruler; and here means to recommend to the favour of God. God does not regard this as a matter of importance. He does not make his favour depend on unimportant circumstances like this.

Neither if we eat. If we partake of the meat offered to idols.

Are we the better. Margin, Have we the more. Gr., Do we abound, (περισσευομεν;) that is, in moral worth or excellence of character. Rom 14:17.

Are we the worse. Margin, Have we the less. Greek, Do we lack or want, (υστερουμεθα;) that is, in moral worth or excellence.

(a) "meat commendeth" Rom 14:17 (1) "we eat" "have we the more" (2) "we eat not" "have we the less"