23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Commentary
Vs. 23-24 "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being."
Though all things are lawful for me (that is all morally indifferent things) because we are not under the law (Rom 6:14), exercising ones liberty In Christ is not always helpful; that is advantageous, beneficial (NIV), for another believers spiritual growth or someones potential faith. Thus needlessly offending anothers customs, culture, or another believers conscience when exercising ones liberties In Christ is never a good thing. Therefore though all things are lawful for me not all things edify, that is edify other believers; and thus consideration of others must always come into play before we exercise our liberties In Christ regarding all morally indifferent things. Since Godly edification is always about seeking each others edification, not ones own (vs. 24).
Vs. 25-26 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
Having already condemned idolatry and their idolatrous sacrifices as worship of demons, and thus something no believer should ever partake in. The Apostle Paul now has to address a very real dilemma for the Corinthians whose meat markets were the places where such sacrificial meat was often disposed of, being sold to the general public for consumption. And so rather than weakening their consciences by putting some sort of restrictions on them, the Apostle Paul exhorts them all to eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness” (quoting Psalm 24:1). That is God is Creator of all things and He has given us all things in the animal and plant kingdoms for our sustenance, nothing then is to be refused if it is partaken of in faith, and with thanksgiving (Genesis 9:3-4; Rom. 14:23; 1 Tim 4:4). Therefore even if meat came from a sacrifice made to an idol, "the earth is the Lord's and all it's fullness", which effectively sanctifies all foods for our well being, since God is also the One who is sanctifying us. Therefore rather than fussing about where some meat came from in the market, the Apostle Paul commands the Corinthians to eat whatever is sold in the markets asking no questions for consciences sake. Thus rather than turning the Corinthians into social outcasts within their own societies, the Apostle Paul realizes the Sovereignty of God over all things, and thus commands them to do the same, to eat and enjoy whatever is sold in the markets, asking no questions for consciences sake, either their own consciences, or anybody else's.
Vs. 27-30 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
The Apostle Paul now presents another very real scenario where unbeliever invites a believer to dinner, whether in their home or in some sort of public setting. In such a case a believer if they desire to go are absolutely free to go and dine with whomever they please, wherever they please. Which in the ancient Corinthian culture would again more than likely consist of eating meat that had been offered to idol (which Paul addressed in verses 25-26). Therefore if a believer goes and meat is served to them they are to ask nothing about it for consciences sake. However if someone says to them this was offered to an idol, though they are liberty to do so, they are not to eat of it, for the sake of the who told them and for consciences sake (vs. 27-28). Again it's not ones own conscience that is at risk, since “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” rather it is for the sake of the weak conscience of the one who told them (vs. 29). Therefore we should not exercise our liberties In Christ in such a way so as to cause a needless offense, and thus bring us under the scrutiny of others. Now the Apostle Paul's statement, "...For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
Thus Paul does not validate the weak persons conscience, or those who judge unjustly. Indeed a Christians liberty regarding foods is above all scrutiny when it is exercised in thanksgiving towards God and in consideration of others. That said our liberty in Christ is not a "license" to do as one pleases, just as our liberties through Christ should not be held hostage too, or condemned by the weak consciences of others, when we exercise them properly.
Thus Paul does not validate the weak persons conscience, or those who judge unjustly. Indeed a Christians liberty regarding foods is above all scrutiny when it is exercised in thanksgiving towards God and in consideration of others. That said our liberty in Christ is not a "license" to do as one pleases, just as our liberties through Christ should not be held hostage too, or condemned by the weak consciences of others, when we exercise them properly.
Vs. 31-11:131 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
The Apostle Paul now sums it all up by not giving us new statues and regulations that we are to meticulously follow. Rather the Apostle Paul commands that whether we eat or drink (or whatever else we do), do all to the glory of God (vs. 31). Give no offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God means that we have an obligation to deny ourselves when we know doing something might be offensive to others. For as the Apostle Paul says of himself that he does not seek his own profit, rather the profit of many, thus he seeks to please all men in all things that they may be saved (vs. 32).
Therefore "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" is a glorious exhortation to model our own conduct after the most godly, sincere, just and compassionate people that we know, or have observed being so. Thus it might also be said of all pastors and church leaders and everyone who names Jesus Christ as Lord as, "Imitate me only so far as I imitate Christ."
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Word Studies
Vs. 23 helpful, Str 4851; GK 5237; TDNT 9.69; TDNTA 1252; LN 65.44 (17x)
Additonal Resources Consulted
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, pp. 624–625). New York: United Bible Societies.
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