1 Corinthians 9:20-21 - Homilies By R. Tuck

Under the Law and without Law, both to be one for Christ.

The apostle is illustrating what we may call the "Christian law of accommodation," and is urging

There can be no accommodation of Christian principle and truth. The sphere for it is

I. MEN ARE CLASSED BY THEIR RELATIONS TO LAW . The term "law" may be applied to:

1. The natural conditions under which God has created us and set us. These are known, more or less distinctly, to every man.

2. Particular laws, directly revealed to certain nations of men. Reference here is to the particular revelation of law made to the Jews, which was rendered necessary,

The moral law alone was of permanent obligation; and it was precisely the same moral law that was, in other forms and terms, revealed to the entire human race. The civil and ceremonial laws of Mosaism were but a fence around the moral law, and an aid to keeping it. St. Paul recognized no permanent obligation in it. But seeing he had to do with men who exaggerated the importance of this formal law, he would stand with them on their level, and hope to raise them up to his. The secret of all good teaching, and of all high spiritual influence, is condescending to the level of those whom we would uplift and bless.

II. MEN REGARDED AS INDEPENDENT OF LAW . That is, of particular and ceremonial law. The mass of mankind never came under the shadow of Mosaism. Yet they too were "God's offspring," for whom he surely cared, and to whom, in wise and gracious ways, he had also revealed his will. Such men came under

III. MEN DEALT WITH ON THEIR COMMON STANDING GROUND . The gospel knows nothing of such peculiarities as "under Law" or "without Law." It recognizes only two standings of men before God.

1. Sinners. And to men, as such, it brings a message of forgiveness and eternal life.

2. In Christ. And to them it brings its varied unfoldings of Christian duty and of Christian privilege. Impress the limits of the adaptations made by the Christian worker.—R.T.