For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
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Ambrosiaster
AD 400
Paul is saying that an idolater can have it both ways. On the one hand, he can glory in his idols, and on the other hand he can attack the apostle for eating what has been sacrificed to them, even if the latter does so after giving thanks to God. Such a person has an excuse for remaining in his error and sets a bad example to the brethren. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
If I by grace partake, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Of what do you 'by grace partake?' tell me. Of the gifts of God. For His grace is so great, as to render my soul unstained and above all pollution. For as the sun sending down his beams upon many spots of pollution, withdraws them again pure; so likewise and much more, we, living in the midst of the world remain pure, if we will, by how much the power we have is even greater than his. Why then abstain? say you. Not as though I should become unclean, far from it; but for my brother's sake, and that I may not become a partaker with devils, and that I may not be judged by the unbeliever. For in this case it is no longer now the nature of the thing, but the disobedience and the friendship with devils which makes me unclean, and the purpose of heart works the pollution.
But what is, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? I, for my part, says he, give thanks to God that He has thus set me o...
