25 So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience.
Paul says we are free to eat anything. Food is amoral.
26 For “the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.”
God creates perfection. Humans and our sin may pollute creation, but God didn’t make anything bad!
27 If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience.
The Creator has made everything clean – feel free to enjoy your dinner! Because of the food offered to idol issue, Paul offers a “Don’t ask, don’t tell” solution.
28 (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. 29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.)
Someone at the meal brings to your attention that the meat was offered to an idol. Since they mentioned it, it might be important to them. As a courtesy, refrain from eating the meat. You may offend your host, but better to offend your host than cause someone to stumble. The last thing I want to do is cause someone to violate their conscience. If they are a weak brother or sister, I should build them up. Flaunting my freedom to eat the meat may harm them spiritually, and God would then hold me accountable.
For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?
Great questions, Paul! Because you taught us that eating is amoral, but causing someone to stumble is immoral. So at times, I must limit my freedom for the sake of others. It is that scary attitude of SELFLESSNESS that we practice so rarely!
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
God’s glory - this is the bottom line! If I can honestly say that God will be happy by my eating or abstaining, then I am doing the right thing.
32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God.
Very interesting categories affirming that the church is NOT Israel! Do not cause Jews, non-Jews, or New Testament believers to stumble!
33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.
Paul says that he tries to “please” or literally “accommodate” everyone! This is not about being a chameleon and walking on eggshells. It is about putting my needs last. It is about prioritizing the needs of others.
Paul did all this so that “many may be saved”. Paul cared deeply about the condition of the souls of others. The Corinthians did not. Their actions (idolatry, immorality, and division) proved they cared only about themselves. That is NOT a healthy New Testament community!
The community Paul envisioned is one where…
…preserving the clean conscience of a fellow believer is my priority
…the lost soul of an unbeliever impacts me deeply and changes my behavior
…my own preferences and desires are put on the back burner for the sake of God’s glory and other’s edification.
Head Scratcher of the week:
What are the three character traits I need the most to accomplish this?
1. _________________
2. _________________
3. _________________
To honor God and build others up – live selflessly!
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