1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Applebury's Comments

Text

1 Corinthians 10:23-33. All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify. 24 Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor's good. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience-' sake; 26 for the earth is the Lord'S, and the fulness thereof. 27 If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast, and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience-' sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience-' sake: 29 conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other'S; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God: 33 even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

Limitations of Christian Liberty (23-33)

Commentary

All things are lawful.This principle was used in 1 Corinthians 6:12 with reference to the use of the body. It seems to mean that there is a lawful purpose for everything God created, but it certainly does not imply that anything evil is lawful. Perversion of God's intended purpose results in evil. The principle is applied to meats that had been used in idolatrous worship. Such use did not harm them as food, but it might not be expedient to use them. Why? They might cause offense to the weak brother who did not understand this. In which case, it would be better to forgo the right (liberty) to eat. Selfishness leads one to insist on his right, but Christian consideration for others may often cause one to give up his right.

Let no one seek his own.This principle can apply to many other things than meats. The lowliness of mind that causes each to look to the things of others rather than of self would solve much of the difficulty that occurs between brethren in the church, and perhaps in all the world as well. See Philippians 2:1-5.

asking no questions.That is, do not conduct an investigation to discover the source of the food that may be set before you. Even if it had been used in pagan worship, it was still good for food. One need not let it bother his conscience for the earth is the Lord's and all that fills it.

if one of them that believe not.It was wrong for a Christian to be found eating in a temple of an idol, for his example might cause some one who did not understand to be led into idolatry. But the apostle is now considering another situation. In the event of a Christian being invited to the home of one who is not a Christian it is all right to go if one is so disposed. He need not trouble his conscience over the food since he knows that even if it had been used in idol worship it was good for food.

But if any man say unto you.This was the thing to be concerned about. If one should say that the food had been used in the sacrifice to an idol, the Christian was to refrain from eating it.

for conscience-' sake.That is, for the sake of the conscience of the one who revealed the source of the food. Do not allow your liberty to be condemned by the scruples of another. But how can this be prevented? By forgoing the right to eat the meat when the weak brother reveals that it has been used in an idol's feast.

If I partake with thankfulness.The Old Testament gave certain regulations as to clean and unclean animals, but Paul, in his letter to Timothy, says, nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4:4-5). But the problem at Corinth was somewhat different. Would the fact that one thanked God for his food be sufficient to satisfy the conscience of the brother who believed that he was worshiping an idol if he ate food that had been sacrificed to the idol? Paul's question is: If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced? Actually there was no reason why he should let this happen for he could forgo his right to eat the food and avoid the criticism. This is in accord with the principle of limitation of liberty which he has used as the solution of the problem throughout his discussion. No mere saying of thanks over food could change the mind of a weak brother who believed that eating the sacrifice would constitute worship of the demon. His sense of right and wrong is offended; for that reason one should refrain from eating even though he had given thanks for the food.

do all to the glory of God.This is another principle regulating the conduct of the Christian. This like the principle of limiting liberty requires one to forgo certain rights for the sake of others. Do not offend Jews, or Greeks, or the church of God:

as I please all men.See comment on 1 Corinthians 9:20-22. The apostle had set the example which he calls upon the Corinthians to follow. The goal he had in mind for himself and for them was the winning of some to Christ that they might be saved.

Summary

The closing remark of chapter nine, lest I myself be rejected, is explained in chapter ten. The abuse of rights can result in one being rejected. Take the case of Israel: they escaped from Egypt, but most of them did not reach the promised land for they perished in the wilderness. Among the many sins that caused them to fall was the sin of idolatry, the very thing about which Paul warned the Corinthians. Concern over being rejected is no idle thing. Israel fell, and the one who thinks he stands must take care lest he also fall.
The experience of the fathers had many lessons for the brethren at Corinth. Their escape from Egypt through the cloud and through the sea was like baptism. The fathers were sustained by food and water that was miraculously given to them. Paul speaks of their spiritual food and drink, for they continued to drink from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Just so, Paul warns the Corinthians not to lust for the things of evil. He warned against the sin of idolatry, and cited the example of Israel's worship of the golden calf at Sinai. Sin caused twenty-three thousand of them to fall in one day. Fiery serpents caused the complainers to perish. These things were written to admonish the Christians not to enter into such sinful practices. In view of this evidence, no one was to imagine that he could not But it is not necessary to be overcome in temptation, for God will not permit a trial to befall one which man cannot endure. God is faithful and will along with the temptation provide the way out that it may be endured.
Summing up the whole argument about idolatry which began in chapter eight, Paul says, Flee from idolatry. Then he turns to the Lord's supper to enforce his appeal. It is impossible to eat at the table of the Lord and at the table of demons also. Idolatry in reality is demon worship. The cup which we bless as we speak of its significance is a sharing of the blood of Christ. The bread which we break is a sharing of the body of Christ. Because there is one bread, we are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Israel became partakers of the altar when they ate the sacrifice that was offered on it. This does not say that there is anything to idolatry, but it is mentioned to call attention to the fact that idolatry is actually demon worship. Paul did not want them to be partakers of the demons who were worshiped in idolatry. The Lord would not permit one who is an associate of de-demons to be a partner with Him by eating at His table.
The closing word in answer to the question about meats sacrificed to idols brings up the law of expediency. There is a limit to the thing that is lawful, for not all things build up the body of Christ. Therefore, let no one seek his own welfare, but that of others.

As to the meats sold in the markets, eat them without inquiring into the source of supply for conscience-' sake. The Lord created the earth and all that fills it. So, if some unbeliever invites you into his home, and you wish to go, eat the food set before you without asking about its source. But if one should say to you that it had been used in idol worship, don-'t eat it. You are to refrain for the sake of the conscience of him who called it to your attention. Why is liberty limited by the conscience of another? To keep him from stumbling, for Paul said, If meat causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no more meat (1 Corinthians 8:13). The Christian is to do all things for the glory of the Lord. Cause no one to stumble, neither Jew, nor Greek, nor the church of God. Be imitators of Paul as he imitated Christ and gave up his rights to win some to Christ that they might be saved.