But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to them that are weak.
Read Chapter 8
John Chrysostom
AD 407
He did not say, Your liberty has become a stumbling-block, nor did he positively affirm it that he might not make them more shameless; but how? Take heed; frightening them, and making them ashamed, and leading them to disavow any such conduct. And he said not, This your knowledge, which would have sounded more like praise; nor this your perfectness; but, your liberty; a thing which seemed to savor more of rashness and obstinacy and arrogance. Neither said he, To the brethren, but, To those of the brethren who are weak; enhancing his accusation from their not even sparing the weak, and those too their brethren. For let it be so that you correct them not, nor arouse them: yet why trip them up, and make them to stumble, when you ought to stretch out the hand? But for that you have no mind: well then, at least avoid casting them down. Since if one were wicked, he required punishment; if weak, healing: but now he is not only weak, but also a brother.
