But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. - Revelation 2:20
A few weeks ago, we introduced a new section of Paul’s letter to Corinth. It began with the phrase, “Now concerning things sacrificed to idols…” (1 Corinthians 8:1). For the past 2 ½ chapters Paul has been dealing with this topic from the broader perspective of Christian liberty. He has already taught that, in Christ, all believers enjoy freedom from the Law made possible by God’s amazing grace. We have been freed to walk in this liberty as we choose. Paul has provided examples detailing both the proper and improper use of this liberty. Now, as he wraps up his discussion of this issue, Paul returns back to the specific question at hand and gives his final answer.
I. PERCEPTION IS REALITY (1 Corinthians 10:14-22)
In the preceding paragraphs, Paul recalled how the children of Israel sinned against God and died in the wilderness. Citing them as an example, Paul warned the Corinthians to flee from idolatry. He asked them to thoughtfully consider the symbolism of the Lord’s Supper. When believers drink of the cup and eat of the bread, they are symbolically sharing in the blood and body of Christ. All Christians eat of the same bread and in so doing partake of the same body. In this sense, everyone who participates in the Lord’s Supper identifies themselves with Christ and his Body - which is the Church.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites offered sacrifices to God on the altar in either the tabernacle or temple. Depending on the type of sacrifice, both the person who brought it and the priest who offered it shared potions of it. The principle was that those who partook of the sacrifice identified themselves with the One for whom it was given. Although idols were powerless and the gods that they represented didn’t actually exist, the perception remained. Truth be told, the Gentiles’ sacrifices to idols were actually being made to demons.
So, by consuming things that had been sacrificed to idols, the Corinthians were being perceived by some as sharing in demons. Whether actually true or not, this was what some people thought. Paul pointed out the obvious contradiction of partaking from both the Lord’s Supper and the table of demons. Why would a believer provoke God in this way? Would you pick a fight with someone infinitely bigger and stronger than you are? Such behavior doesn’t seem very smart.
II. TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT (1 Corinthians 10:23-30)
Paul restated a point that he had made earlier in this letter: “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.” (1 Corinthians 6:12) Just because we can do something doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good for or edifying to the body. Rather than immediately seeking our own well-being, we should first consider how our choices will affect and be perceived by others.
With these considerations in mind, Paul instructed the Corinthians to eat anything sold in the meat market without asking questions. They didn’t need to worry about whether it had been sacrificed to idols or not, because ultimately it had been created by God for the good of mankind (Psalm 24:1). Meat is just meat. Furthermore, if any of them accepted an invitation from an unbeliever to go and eat, they should do so without concerning themselves about whether the food had been sacrificed to idols or not.
However, if someone declared that the meat had been sacrificed to idols and was troubled that it had been, then Paul advised the Corinthians not to eat it. They were to abstain not because the meat was actually bad or defiling, but rather for the sake of the one who perceived it to be. Again, they were to show regard to the conscience of their brethren.
Paul asked, “Why should a Christian allow their freedom to be judged or limited by the thoughts of another person?” He continued, “Why should a Christian be slandered for eating anything that they gave thanks for?” The answer to these questions is… love. We should voluntarily sacrifice our rights in Christ as necessary for the sake of the gospel and for the good of our fellow man.
III. GLORIFY GOD (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)
In the end, the question of whether or not a person should eat or drink things which have been sacrificed to an idol is not essential to salvation or the gospel. Therefore, Paul explained the pros and cons of both options. Whichever they chose, and in fact whatever they did, all things were to be done to the glory of God. This echoes his previous and related teaching that believers should glorify God with their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Paul urged the Corinthians not to give offense to others - whether Jew or Greek. Nor should they callously give offense to anyone in the church. People can be easily offended - especially in modern times - by the things that others do or say. While the gospel message itself is offensive to some, and rightly so, the messengers of the gospel should not be. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it should never be communicated hurtfully in either word or deed. In short, we must share and live the truth in love.
Thus, Paul strived to live a life that was pleasing (or non-offensive) to others. Rather than seeking his own profit, he prioritized that of others. His hope was that perhaps, by choosing to sacrifice some of his own liberties, he could better position himself to point others to Christ. This is the ultimate end game, that we as believers shine the light of Jesus in everything that we say and do so that the lost might be saved and that the saved might grow on their faith.
CONCLUSION
On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, a few weeks after He had risen from the dead, Jesus told the apostle Peter 3 times, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” Think about these words for a moment. The Lord was telling Peter to serve Him not out of obligation or duty, but rather out of sincere love. This concept is true for all born again Christians.
Jesus taught that all of the Old Testament Law and prophets could be summed up with 2 simple commandments. First, we are to love the LORD with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. Second, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. In keeping with this pair of commandments, everything we say and do should be motivated by love. Beloved, love should be the determining factor for all of the choices that we make. Ask yourselves - how well do my decisions and corresponding actions express love for God and for other people?
As chapter 10 comes to a close, Paul concludes his emphasis on Christian liberty. Having been saved by God’s grace, we as believers are free to live as we choose. The question is… how will we exercise and practice this freedom?
Starting next week, we will move on to a new topic. Paul will address a few specific issues that were taking place in Corinth during their weekly church gatherings. In the meantime, may the Lord bless and keep you until we meet again.
A few weeks ago, we introduced a new section of Paul’s letter to Corinth. It began with the phrase, “Now concerning things sacrificed to idols…” (1 Corinthians 8:1). For the past 2 ½ chapters Paul has been dealing with this topic from the broader perspective of Christian liberty. He has already taught that, in Christ, all believers enjoy freedom from the Law made possible by God’s amazing grace. We have been freed to walk in this liberty as we choose. Paul has provided examples detailing both the proper and improper use of this liberty. Now, as he wraps up his discussion of this issue, Paul returns back to the specific question at hand and gives his final answer.
I. PERCEPTION IS REALITY (1 Corinthians 10:14-22)
In the preceding paragraphs, Paul recalled how the children of Israel sinned against God and died in the wilderness. Citing them as an example, Paul warned the Corinthians to flee from idolatry. He asked them to thoughtfully consider the symbolism of the Lord’s Supper. When believers drink of the cup and eat of the bread, they are symbolically sharing in the blood and body of Christ. All Christians eat of the same bread and in so doing partake of the same body. In this sense, everyone who participates in the Lord’s Supper identifies themselves with Christ and his Body - which is the Church.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites offered sacrifices to God on the altar in either the tabernacle or temple. Depending on the type of sacrifice, both the person who brought it and the priest who offered it shared potions of it. The principle was that those who partook of the sacrifice identified themselves with the One for whom it was given. Although idols were powerless and the gods that they represented didn’t actually exist, the perception remained. Truth be told, the Gentiles’ sacrifices to idols were actually being made to demons.
So, by consuming things that had been sacrificed to idols, the Corinthians were being perceived by some as sharing in demons. Whether actually true or not, this was what some people thought. Paul pointed out the obvious contradiction of partaking from both the Lord’s Supper and the table of demons. Why would a believer provoke God in this way? Would you pick a fight with someone infinitely bigger and stronger than you are? Such behavior doesn’t seem very smart.
II. TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT (1 Corinthians 10:23-30)
Paul restated a point that he had made earlier in this letter: “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.” (1 Corinthians 6:12) Just because we can do something doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good for or edifying to the body. Rather than immediately seeking our own well-being, we should first consider how our choices will affect and be perceived by others.
With these considerations in mind, Paul instructed the Corinthians to eat anything sold in the meat market without asking questions. They didn’t need to worry about whether it had been sacrificed to idols or not, because ultimately it had been created by God for the good of mankind (Psalm 24:1). Meat is just meat. Furthermore, if any of them accepted an invitation from an unbeliever to go and eat, they should do so without concerning themselves about whether the food had been sacrificed to idols or not.
However, if someone declared that the meat had been sacrificed to idols and was troubled that it had been, then Paul advised the Corinthians not to eat it. They were to abstain not because the meat was actually bad or defiling, but rather for the sake of the one who perceived it to be. Again, they were to show regard to the conscience of their brethren.
Paul asked, “Why should a Christian allow their freedom to be judged or limited by the thoughts of another person?” He continued, “Why should a Christian be slandered for eating anything that they gave thanks for?” The answer to these questions is… love. We should voluntarily sacrifice our rights in Christ as necessary for the sake of the gospel and for the good of our fellow man.
III. GLORIFY GOD (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)
In the end, the question of whether or not a person should eat or drink things which have been sacrificed to an idol is not essential to salvation or the gospel. Therefore, Paul explained the pros and cons of both options. Whichever they chose, and in fact whatever they did, all things were to be done to the glory of God. This echoes his previous and related teaching that believers should glorify God with their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Paul urged the Corinthians not to give offense to others - whether Jew or Greek. Nor should they callously give offense to anyone in the church. People can be easily offended - especially in modern times - by the things that others do or say. While the gospel message itself is offensive to some, and rightly so, the messengers of the gospel should not be. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it should never be communicated hurtfully in either word or deed. In short, we must share and live the truth in love.
Thus, Paul strived to live a life that was pleasing (or non-offensive) to others. Rather than seeking his own profit, he prioritized that of others. His hope was that perhaps, by choosing to sacrifice some of his own liberties, he could better position himself to point others to Christ. This is the ultimate end game, that we as believers shine the light of Jesus in everything that we say and do so that the lost might be saved and that the saved might grow on their faith.
CONCLUSION
On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, a few weeks after He had risen from the dead, Jesus told the apostle Peter 3 times, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” Think about these words for a moment. The Lord was telling Peter to serve Him not out of obligation or duty, but rather out of sincere love. This concept is true for all born again Christians.
Jesus taught that all of the Old Testament Law and prophets could be summed up with 2 simple commandments. First, we are to love the LORD with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. Second, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. In keeping with this pair of commandments, everything we say and do should be motivated by love. Beloved, love should be the determining factor for all of the choices that we make. Ask yourselves - how well do my decisions and corresponding actions express love for God and for other people?
As chapter 10 comes to a close, Paul concludes his emphasis on Christian liberty. Having been saved by God’s grace, we as believers are free to live as we choose. The question is… how will we exercise and practice this freedom?
Starting next week, we will move on to a new topic. Paul will address a few specific issues that were taking place in Corinth during their weekly church gatherings. In the meantime, may the Lord bless and keep you until we meet again.