Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Ver. 1. Now as touching things] Another case that they had propounded to him in their letter, 1 Corinthians 7:1 .
We know] So all pretend. Sed nummos habuerunt Athenienses ad numerandum, et scientiam ad sciendum.
That we all have knowledge] But that is not sufficient, unless we have love too. There be many things concur to the making up of a good work, a lawful action.
Knowledge puffeth up] A metaphor from a pair of bellows, blown up and filled with wind. The French fitly call fools Fols, a follibus, qui nihil continent nisi aerem, from bellows which contains nothing unless filled with air. Such are all proud fools.
Knowledge puffeth up] Swelling us above measure, unless humility, laid on as a weight, keep us down, and charity regulate our knowledge for the good of others. Knowledge without love is as rain in the middle region. But how foolish were they of whom Austin maketh mention, that neglected the means of knowledge, because knowledge puffeth up, and so would be ignorant, that they might be humble, and lack knowledge, that they might lack pride. This was to be like Democritus, who plucked out his eyes, to avoid the danger of uncleanness. Or that silly friar, to whom Sir Thomas Moore wrote this distich;
" Tu bene cavisti, ne te ulla occidere possit
Littera: nam nota est littera nulla tibi. "
Thou takest good care the letter kill thee not:
Thy skill is such, thou knowest not B from Bot.