Faith-building Bible studies and articles

• 22 Apr

  1 Corinthians: Chapter 10 (verses 16–33)

  In the second half of 1 Corinthians 10, Paul begins by emphasizing to the Corinthians the incompatibility of participating in meals in pagan temples and participating in the Lord’s Supper.

  The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16).

  Paul’s first question addressed the cup of thanksgiving and the bread that they ate, using words similar to the accounts of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26–28; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26). Drinking from the cup is a participation in the blood of Christ and eating the bread is a participation in the body of Christ. The word “participation” is also used in the New Testament to refer to our fellowship and communion with Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:9) and with one another (1 John 1:7).

  Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread (1 Corinthians 10:17).

  Paul noted that though believers are many, they are one in body, and that this is true because there is one loaf of bread, representing the body of Christ, in which all partake. In Paul’s writing, one body is a technical phrase that refers to the spiritual union, both of members with Christ and with one another in Christ. In Romans, Paul wrote so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another (Romans 12:5). Since believers are in spiritual union with Christ, all believers share spiritual union with one another in Him.

  Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? (1 Corinthians 10:18)

  When giving thanksgiving or peace offerings in the Old Testament, the altar was a table on which food was sacrificed to God, and the priests ate from the offerings (Leviticus 6:17–18). Paul emphasized that those who ate such sacrifices took part in the spiritual significance of the altar of the temple. In the same way, those who partake of the Lord’s Supper fellowship with God.

  What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons (1 Corinthians 10:19–20).

  Paul had already argued earlier in this epistle that pagan religions are false and that their sacrifices aren’t made to true gods, as “an idol has no real existence,” and “there is no God but one” (1 Corinthians 8:4).At the same time he had qualified that statement by saying that there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords” (1 Corinthians 8:5–6). In this verse Paul explained his meaning more fully. He implied that something supernatural is at work in pagan sacrifices, and these are ultimately offered to demons and not to God. Thus, when people sacrifice to idols, it cannot be assumed that they are engaging in a meaningless activity.

  Paul pointed out that pagans do not sacrifice to gods that Christians should fear, and in this sense, an idol is nothing and the food offered to idols is nothing. Yet, Paul affirmed that the sacrifices of pagans were made to demons, and he insisted that the Corinthian believers should not be participants with demons.

  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons (1 Corinthians 10:21).

  Paul speaks again of the incompatibility of Christianity and idolatry. The “cup of the Lord” represents the communion that believers have with Christ through His sacrifice on the cross. It symbolized the blood of Christ, which was shed for the forgiveness of sins. This cup is a symbol of salvation. There were cases where Christians might eat what had been offered to idols without sin, such as when meat was sold in the marketplace. But this is not to be understood as extending to participation in pagan religious festivals involving idolatrous worship.

  Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? (1 Corinthians 10:22)

  Paul made this point clear when he proceeded to question if the Corinthians were seeking to provoke the Lord to jealousy, and if they considered themselves stronger than the Lord. God is portrayed in the Bible as a possessive husband (Jeremiah 31:32; Hosea 2:1–13). He requires loyalty of His people. The Corinthians were to stop the practice of idolatry as they risked incurring the wrath of God even as the Israelites did under Moses.

  “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor (1 Corinthians 10:23–24).

  Here Paul begins with a popular slogan among the Corinthians of the time that he has already mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:12: All things are lawful. There is some truth in this slogan, as Christians have much freedom in Christ. However, the saying must be balanced, which Paul did when he added that not all things are helpful or beneficial. Paul limits the use of freedom here to things that benefit or build up the Christian community, and one’s actions to that which seeks the good of his neighbor. Earlier on, Paul had highlighted the principle that believers should not seek their own good but the good of others and the furtherance of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:19–23).

  Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof” (1 Corinthians 10:25–26).

  Paul taught that Christians may eat any meat they purchase in the market as long as the question of idolatry doesn’t come up. If the matter of sacrifice to idols came up, then believers should refrain from eating for the sake of others. In the meat markets of Greece, some meat was sold after being dedicated to an idol, while other meat had never been dedicated. This difference was not always made evident by the shopkeepers.

  The rabbis put restrictions on Jews who lived in pagan cities like Corinth, and they had to be sure that they bought meat only from shops that adhered to Jewish laws regarding food. But this was not Paul’s policy. His view was that believers could eat any meat without raising questions of whether it had been sacrificed to an idol. He quoted Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof,” to assert that God is the only true God of all things and that idols are insignificant. Believers could eat meat without being concerned with the meat’s history.

  If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience—I do not mean your conscience, but his (1 Corinthians 10:27–29a).

  After speaking of the marketplace, Paul turned to situations in which believers were guests in the homes of unbelievers. Christians may eat whatever they are served without being concerned about questions of conscience. However, if someone were to say that the meat had been offered in sacrifice to an idol, believers were not to eat on the ground of conscience—for the sake of the person who had told them. To eat under such circumstances could appear to be accepting of idolatry. According to this advice of the apostle, Christians should take care not to use their liberty to the detriment of others, or to their own reproach. In eating and drinking, and in all we do, we should aim at the glory of God, at pleasing and honoring Him.

  For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? (1 Corinthians 10:29b–30)

  Paul asks why he should do something that would allow his freedom to be judged by someone else’s conscience. Christians have the freedom to eat meat sacrificed to idols, but they shouldn’t use this freedom when it hurts the conscience of another. If an unbelieving host doesn’t mention the meat’s history, Christians are free to eat. Paul says Christians may give thanks for and eat meat which may have been sacrificed to idols. They can take part in the meal with thankfulness.

  So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, (1 Corinthians 10:31–32)

  Paul now summarizes his argument in this chapter. First, whether or not believers partake in food or drink, they must do it all for the glory of God. The main purpose of human beings is the glory of God; His honor should be the main concern of those who love Him. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (Deuteronomy 6:5).¹

  Second, whether believers partake or not, they should not cause others to stumble or sin, nor should they hinder someone’s receptivity to the gospel. This concern for others applies to Jews, Greeks, and the church. Paul likely mentioned these groups because each of these raised different considerations. Both Jews and Greeks were unbelievers in Christ’s teachings, but each group had different standards and expectations. Moreover, the principle of love for neighbors must also extend to the church for yet other reasons.

  just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:33–11:1).

  Paul brought this section to its close by reminding his readers that he didn’t expect something from them that he himself was unwilling to do. He reminded them that he sought to please everybody in every way. He sought to serve others, not because he was seeking his own good, but rather he sought the good of many, or more specifically, that they may be saved. Paul’s commitment to the salvation of the lost led him to minimize his personal preferences and freedoms for the good of others.

  As a result of the consistency with which Paul fulfilled this service, he felt qualified to encourage the Corinthians to follow his example, even as he followed the example of Christ. Christ gave up His freedom and honor, humbling himself to the point of death on a cross, in order to save others (Philippians 2:5–8). Paul encouraged the Corinthians to remember Christ’s sacrifice as the model of love and concern for others. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 4:32–5:1).

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  Note
  Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptures are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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  ¹ See also Matthew 22:37.

   

  
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• Feb 25 1 Corinthians: Chapter 8 (verses 1–13)
• Feb 11 1 Corinthians: Chapter 7 (verses 17–40)
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