1 Corinthians 10:23-33 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Corinthians 10:23-33. Let’s go!
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV)
23 “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive.
24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
On verses 23-24: “Everything is permissible” may have been a common saying during Paul’s time. The saying was possibly used by some in Paul’s church in Corinth as a licence for them to do whatever they want, claiming that as believers they were free to do anything. Paul challenges this “everything is permissible” way of thinking by encouraging his Christian brothers and sisters to think and live on a higher level. Instead of just focusing on what I am free to do, I should even more think about what impact my actions have (i.e. what benefit my actions bring to myself and others, what harm my actions do to myself and others). Instead of just seeking my own good, I am to seek the good of others. Christians are called to this higher, more unselfish, more productive level of living. In the verses that follow, Paul will illustrate what that looks like when it comes to a hot issue during Paul’s time, which is eating food sacrificed to idols.
1 Corinthians 10:25-26 (NIV)
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
On verses 25-26: Here Paul affirms his view that no food is unclean in itself and that generally speaking Christians should feel free to eat whatever they want, for “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1a). However, Paul encourages the Corinthian Christians to keep the following specific situations in mind.
1 Corinthians 10:27 (NIV)
27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.
On verse 27: If you as a Christian are invited to a meal with an unbeliever, eat whatever is put before you without making a big deal about whether the food was sacrificed to an idol or not. Why? Paul did not want Christians to be so caught up in the food they’re eating that they forget the people they’re reaching. If I as a Christian am spending time with an unbeliever, and I make a big deal out of a very minor issue like food sacrificed to idols, I am very likely distracting my unbelieving friend from the core message of the Gospel. I give him the impression that Christians are these picky, superficial people who are hard to host and hard to deal with. As Paul says in verse 33, Paul is trying to make it easy for the unbeliever to see the attractiveness of life with Christ in the hope that the unbeliever will one day be saved. Applied to our day, whenever you spend time with people who don’t know Jesus, be careful not to get caught up in debates and quarrels about minor issues, lest you distract both yourself and your unbelieving friend from the core message of the Gospel, which is God’s love for sinners expressed through Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:28-29a (NIV)
28 But if anyone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience’ sake–
29 the other man’s conscience, I mean, not yours…
On verses 28-29a: Here Paul speaks of the situation where you as a Christian are eating with another Christian. If you are informed that the food placed before you has been sacrificed to an idol and you know that your friend’s conscience does not allow them to eat food sacrificed to idols, though you might otherwise be free to eat such food, out of love and respect for your more sensitive Christian brother or sister, refrain from eating the food sacrificed to idols. It’s about thinking of the needs and interests of those around you, not just your own.
1 Corinthians 10:29b-30 (NIV)
29 … For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience?
30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
On verses 29b-30: As suggested by some scholars, Paul’s question in verse 29b-30 may be a follow up to the situation Paul described in verses 25-26 (where you’re free to eat whatever meat you want in the marketplace), rather than a follow up to the situation in verses 28-29a. What’s the lesson here? On one hand, we should not live as if we are constantly slaves to the opinions and preferences of others. On the other hand, when we are together with others and the situation calls for it, we should be sensitive to the consciences of people we eat with and spend time with.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (NIV)
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God–
33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
On verses 31-33: At the end of the day, even with a matter as simple and mundane as eating, we should have the goal of glorifying God (v31), not being a stumbling block that keeps others from knowing Jesus (v32), and having an eye to leading people to Jesus (v33).
Thank You Lord Jesus for the freedom we have in You and the responsibilities that come with such freedom. May I use the freedom and the responsibilities You give me wisely not just for my own good and happiness, but for Your glory and for the good of others, that they may know Jesus better through me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
