{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/002/0020365.htm","path":"chr/ecf/002/0020365.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/002/0020365.htm","text":"\u201cWe know that we all have knowledge\u201d\u2014common knowledge in common things, and the knowledge that there is one God. For he was writing to believers; whence he adds, \u201cBut knowledge (gnosis) is not in all,\u201d being communicated to few. And there are those who say that the knowledge about things sacrificed to idols is not promulgated among all, \u201clest our liberty prove a stumbling-block to the weak. For by p. 427 thy knowledge he that is weak is destroyed.\u201d 2812 Should they say, \u201cWhatsoever is sold in the shambles, ought that to be bought?\u201d adding, by way of interrogation, \u201casking no questions,\u201d 2813 as if equivalent to \u201casking questions,\u201d they give a ridiculous interpretation. For the apostle says, \u201cAll other things buy out of the shambles, asking no questions,\u201d with the exception of the things mentioned in the Catholic epistle of all the apostles, 2814 \u201cwith the consent of the Holy Ghost,\u201d which is written in the Acts of the Apostles, and conveyed to the faithful by the hands of Paul himself. For they intimated \u201cthat they must of necessity abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, from which keeping themselves, they should do well.\u201d It is a different matter, then, which is expressed by the apostle: \u201cHave we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as the rest of the apostles, as the brethren of the Lord and Cephas? But we have not used this power,\u201d he says, \u201cbut bear all things, lest we should occasion hindrance to the Gospel of Christ;\u201d namely, by bearing about burdens, when it was necessary to be untrammelled for all things; or to become an example to those who wish to exercise temperance, not encouraging each other to eat greedily of what is set before us, and not to consort inconsiderately with woman. And especially is it incumbent on those entrusted with such a dispensation to exhibit to disciples a pure example. \u201cFor though I be free from all men, I have made myself servant to all,\u201d it is said, \u201cthat I might gain all. And every one that striveth for mastery is temperate in all things.\u201d 2815 \u201cBut the earth is the Lord\u2019s, and the fulness thereof.\u201d 2816 For conscience\u2019 sake, then, we are to abstain from what we ought to abstain. \u201cConscience, I say, not his own,\u201d for it is endued with knowledge, \u201cbut that of the other,\u201d lest he be trained badly, and by imitating in ignorance what he knows not, he become a despiser instead of a strong-minded man. \u201cFor why is my liberty judged of by another conscience? For if I by grace am a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God\u201d 2817 \u2014what you are commanded to do by the rule of faith.\n1 Cor. 8:1, 7, 9, 11.\n427:2813 427:2814\nActs xv. 24, etc.\n427:2815 427:2816 427:2817","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol II: CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: Chapter XV.\u2014On Avoiding Offence.","type":"page"}