1 Corinthians 10:23 - Meaning and Application

In this passage, the apostle shows when Christians could lawfully eat food that had been offered to idols. They must not do it as a sign of respect for the idol, and they must not go into the idol’s temple and hold a feast there. Nor should they perhaps do it outside the temple if they knew the meal was part of a sacrifice. Still, there were cases where they could eat such food without sin, and Paul names some of them here.

First, he warns them not to misuse their freedom in things that are lawful. Something may be allowed, yet still not be wise or helpful. A Christian should not ask only, “Is this permitted?” but also, “Will this help others and build them up?” Even in private life, a believer should care not only for himself, but also for his neighbor’s good. He should try to act in ways that help others, and not block their holiness, comfort, or salvation.

People who allow themselves everything that is not clearly sinful often drift into wrong through side effects and end up hurting others. Anything lawful in itself is not always right to do in every situation. Circumstances can make an action sinful, even if the action itself is not sinful. So we must think carefully about the setting and about whether the act will build others up. The well-being of others, as well as our own convenience, must be considered if we want to act rightly.

Second, Paul says they may eat what is sold in the marketplace without asking questions. Often the priest’s portion of a pagan sacrifice was later sold as meat. Paul tells them they did not need to question the butcher about whether the meat had been offered to an idol. It was sold as ordinary food, and as such they could buy and use it. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it (1 Corinthians 10:26). God made the earth and its produce for the use and support of mankind, especially for his own children and servants.

Every creature God made is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is made holy by the word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4:4-5). To the pure, all things are pure (Titus 1:15). So while it is sinful to use food in an idolatrous way, it is not sinful to take that same food afterward and use it in a holy, ordinary way.

Third, Paul says that if they were invited to a meal by unbelieving neighbors, they could go and eat what was placed before them without asking questions (1 Corinthians 10:27). Even if they knew idol food was being served, they still could eat. Paul is not forbidding them from accepting a dinner invitation from unbelievers. Common courtesy is due even to unbelievers and heathens. Christianity does not shut us away from ordinary acts of human kindness, nor does it allow rude behavior toward people just because they differ from us in religion.

When Christians were invited to a meal with unbelievers, they were not to ask needless questions about the food. Such questions could trouble their minds and consciences, so they should avoid them. Anything fit to eat at a normal meal could be eaten lawfully. Why should they keep probing to find out whether the food had been offered to an idol? This applies to ordinary social meals, not religious feasts. Among the heathen, a religious feast meant eating sacrificial food, and Paul had already condemned that as sharing in idolatrous worship. At a common meal, they could expect common food, and they did not need to trouble themselves with unnecessary scruples.

Yet Paul adds one more point. If someone said, “This has been offered to idols,” then they should not eat it, for the sake of the one who said it and for conscience’ sake. It does not matter whether the speaker was the host or another guest, or whether the remark was spoken openly or privately. They should refrain out of regard for the person who raised the issue, whether that person was an unbeliever or a weak Christian, and out of respect for conscience. In that way, they would show concern for conscience in themselves and encourage respect for conscience in others.

Paul supports this with the same reason as before: the earth is the Lord’s. God has provided enough food for us to eat without trouble. The same truth can be applied in different ways. Since the earth is the Lord’s, Christians may eat common food without scruple. Yet because the earth is the Lord’s, they should not eat anything that would offend others, set a stumbling block before them, encourage idolatry, or tempt weaker believers to act against their own consciences and sin. Christians must be very careful not to wound other people’s consciences or weaken their sense of duty.

Fifth, Paul urges them to avoid giving offense, while still allowing that they may eat food set before them as common food, even if it had once been offered in sacrifice. Another person’s conscience does not set the rule for our conduct. What someone else thinks is wrong does not become wrong for me just because he thinks so. If I receive my food with thanks and honor God as the giver, it is unfair for anyone to condemn me for using it. This must be understood apart from the case where my eating would actually give scandal. Some also understand Paul to mean that we should not use our freedom in a way that gives others reason to speak badly of us. As Paul says elsewhere, “Do not let your good be spoken of as evil” (Romans 14:16). Christians should be careful not to use their liberty in a way that harms others or brings reproach on themselves.

Sixth, Paul uses this discussion to state a general rule for Christian conduct, and then applies it to this matter (1 Corinthians 10:31-32). In eating and drinking, and in everything else, we should aim at God’s glory and at pleasing and honoring him. This is the main principle of practical godliness, meaning faith worked out in daily life. When we do not have a clear specific rule, this larger purpose should guide us. Nothing should be done against God’s glory or against our neighbors’ good, since the two are closely joined. Even the way our behavior affects the common good and the honor of our holy religion should help direct our choices.

So we should do nothing that would offend anyone, whether Jew, Gentile, or the church (1 Corinthians 10:32). We should not needlessly upset Jews, who have such a strong hatred of idols that they consider food offered to idols to be defiled. They think anyone who eats it becomes polluted and guilty.

We should also avoid giving pagan people any support in their idolatry through our behavior, if they might take it as respect or honor for their idols. New believers from paganism should not see our conduct and think they can keep any respect for the false gods and worship they have left behind. And we should not do anything that could turn members of the church away from their Christian faith or way of life.

Our own tastes and appetites must not control what we do. Instead, we should think about God’s honor and the good and growth of the church. We should care less about our own comfort and gain, and more about the spread of God’s kingdom among people. A Christian should be devoted to God and have a public spirit, meaning a concern for the good of others.

Paul reinforces all this by his own example: “I try to please everyone in everything I lawfully can, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, so that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:33). A preacher can speak with boldness and authority when he can back up his advice with his own life. The person who shows a public spirit in himself is best able to teach it to others.

It is especially fitting for a minister to set aside his own advantage in order to promote the salvation of his hearers. That shows a spirit suited to his calling. His work is for the good of others, and he can never do it faithfully if he has a narrow mind and selfish habits.