---

1. The apostle did not shrink from giving offence where the honour of his Master or the rights of His gospel were to be maintained, where sin was to be rebuked, and hypocrisy unmasked. The public opinion of those times doubtless regarded him as an extreme man (1 Corinthians 4:3, 4). Wherever he went he roused the fiercest passions of the Jews. It was from no inability to perceive the "offence of the Cross," that he made it the theme of his ministry. Even to the Church he gave offence where duty required — to Barnabas, to Peter, to the Jewish Christians in general.

2. How singular, then, sound such words as those of the text. "He give no offence!" might be the comment of some of his opponents, "why, it is not possible that any man should give more." These words, however, prove that Paul had no love for antagonism. Truth must be served first, but where it did not call he would not grieve either Jew or Gentile or fellow-Christian. He is speaking here of things not necessary to salvation.

I. GOD HAS GIVEN EVERY CHRISTIAN SOME INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD.

1. With many it may be very feeble and restricted, but to none has it been wholly denied. To some have been given two, and to a few even five talents, but there is not one who can say that he has no talent at all. One of the mightiest forces thus lies within the reach of all. An innocent babe, all insensible of the power which it wields, will sometimes almost transform the spirit of a father.

2. Few things are more marvellous than the way in which such influence propagates itself. Take, e.g., the simple Christian man whose sympathy was excited on behalf of the ignorant and godless children in the city of Gloucester. He little knew how his Christian thought would fructify. So the Christian woman who invited her young apprentice to the evening service in the Tabernacle was unconsciously setting in motion a train of influence, the full results of which are not yet fully developed. That evening sermon was to lead John Williams to the foot of the Cross.

3. Nor is it only that a man may exercise such influence, it is certain that he must do so. It is not that no man ought to live to himself, but that, as a matter of fact, no man can live to himself. Be not deceived, if you are not a blessing you will be a curse to the world. A purely negative existence, even if desirable, is not possible to any of us.

II. THIS INFLUENCE IS A TALENT TO BE DILIGENTLY CULTIVATED.

1. It may be regarded under two aspects, the direct and the indirect power which we exert. The Christian must strive to serve his Master in both. He must not only engage in Christian labours, but he must breathe a Christian temper. The power of earnest words and generous deeds will be neutralised by the inconsistency which awakens doubts as to his sincerity, or the offensive bearing which, in exciting prejudice against himself, creates a new obstacle to the success of the message which he bears. It is to this that the apostle chiefly alludes. The offence of the Cross was not to be removed by silence as to Christ crucified; but whatever his message might be, he sought that he himself should not be a stumbling-block.

2. Some men make it their boast that they take no heed to the opinions of others. They have the approval of their own conscience. What can it matter to them though they are condemned by the unanimous voice of their brethren? A doubt of their own infallibility never appears to occur to them, nor a desire to spare the feelings and respect the convictions of others to influence their modes of speech or action. Of course it is better to be unpopular than untrue; but even if regard to the highest principle require a man sometimes to oppose himself to those whom he most respects, there is a way of acting by which he may avoid provoking that unpleasant irritation which is sure to defeat the very purpose he seeks to achieve. Keep back nothing which fidelity to God requires you to utter; but let there be the courtesy which pays a due respect to the opinions it is compelled to oppose, and the readiness to make everything subordinate to the one great work of promoting the gospel. It is pitiable to mark the way in which some men, by little defects of character, mar the effect of labours inspired by the purest motive and apparently fitted to secure the richest fruit. They are like a gardener who, having sown his seeds, no sooner sees them breaking the ground than he begins to trample them down.

3. "Not seeking mine own profit," etc. Such, too, is our principle, but may we not learn something even from those who seek the inferior end? If men can stoop to secure an earthly prize — if they deem no labour too hard, no rebuff too humiliating, no arts too mean which are necessary to ensure success — what effort should not Christians put forth, and what sacrifice should they not make in order to win a power which they may use for the profit of many?

(J. G. Rogers, B.A.)

---

---

KJV: Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

WEB: Give no occasions for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;