Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 6:12

12 All things are lawful unto me , but all things are not expedient : all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any .

The words of this Text are not so difficult in themselves, as it is to make out the connexion they have with, and the dependence they have upon what went before, and what followeth after. Some thinking that they refer unto what the Apostle had said before about their going to Law before Infidels in the seven first verses, lest any should say, Is it not then lawful for men to sue at Law for their just dues and rights? The Apostle answers, Admit it be, yet Christians ought not only to consider what is strictly lawful and just, but they ought to consider circumstances; for, Quicquid non expedit, in quantum non expedit non licet, is an old and good Rule; An action that is in it self lawful, may be by circumstances made sinful and unlawful; and that was the case as to the Christians going to Law before Infidels. But others, and those the most, think that the Apostle here begins a new head of discourse to disswade from the sin of fornication, and from an intemperate use of meat and drink, as being provocative of lust, and disposing them to that sin. Now lest they should say, Is it not lawful then to eat and to drink liberally, must we eat and drink for bare necessity? He answereth, All things are lawful for me, that is, all things which are not forbidden by the Law of God may be used, may be done, under fair circumstances; but circumstances may alter the case,

all things may not be expedient to be used, or done by all persons, or at all times. The Corinthians might possibly conclude too much from what he had told them, that they were washed, justified, and sanctified, viz. that now all things were lawful to them, at least all things, not simply and absolutely condemned in the Word of God, the Apostle correcteth their mistake, by telling them they were to have a regard to expedience, and the profit of others, the neglect of which might make things that were in themselves lawful to become unlawful.

Besides, that they must take heed, that they did not make such an use, even of lawful things, as to be brought under the power of them, which men are, when they become potent temptations to them to [illegible: 1 letter]in against God any way.

Marginal references: Chap. 10.23.; Or, profitable.