LESSON 15
(10:23-11:1)

LIFE AND FREEDOM

 23 “All things are lawful,” But not all things are helpful.  “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.  24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.  25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.  26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”  27 If on e 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.  28 (But if some one says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience’ sake–29 I mean his conscience, not yours–do not eat it.)  For why should my liberty be determined by another man’s scruples?  30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.  11 1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

The concluding portion of Paul’s answer to the question “Are we free to eat meat from offerings to idols?” is in our lesson text, together with the final exhortation about living like Jesus lived.  As we study this text, keep the whole subject before you, so that the pieces fall into place as Paul intended.
10:23 – Restating the general principle in 6:12 and adding a limiting provision, this text brings to mind the discussion in a way that ll might see it “simply put.”  In respect to the question posed, vv. 25-30 add a final bit of information that was to fill in what was yet lacking
helpful . . . build up – This has been discussed in several ways, as in 8:8-12, with the general guideline for all such questions in v. 24.  See again Romans 12:9-18; 14:13ff.
V. 24 – This verse is what Paul did and Jesus did, and what they were to do, 10:31-11:1.  Notice why John commends Gaius and condemns Diotrephes, III John vv. 1-10.  consider the work of Philemon, v. 7, and those in Philippi, 4:14-18; as well as the accounts in Rom. 16:1-4, 23.  The gracious gifts from the Gentiles to the Jews, II Cor. 8-9, would be evidence of a Christian spirit.  Paul’s willingness to do for others, Acts 21, and others for him, Acts 19:30-31, are of kindred nature.  Now read Acts 10:35.
V. 25 – The meat market was a “free” place, unlike an idol’s temple.  No one need worry about what meat might be available there insofar as it being acceptable or not acceptable for Christians.  The reason why is given in v. 26.  Hence, if any had a problem with conscience, it could be eliminated.  All that was needed was this information to clear up that specific point.
V. 27 – Now a point about the home is brought up.  Assuming the position in vv. 25-26, Christians might buy meat without any doubt.  If any Christian was invited to another Christian’s house, or even to one’s house who was not Christian, there still was no need to worry about the meat problem insofar as it being acceptable to eat.
V. 28 – There was only one stipulation to the home situation, which brings up the issue already discussed in 8:7-12: that of the person whose knowledge is not correct about meats and whose conscience therefore will not be the same as the enlightened Christian.  If such a person was also invited to the meal, and mentions the meat came from a sacrifice to an idol, then the Christian must abstain from eating.  Why?  Because the other person has a weak conscience and can’t handle the situation.  hence, he needs support, even if wrong, and the Christian must give up his perfect right to eat any meat for the good of another, even if the other may not be Christian, v. 24.  See again 8:13, but see it applied in a broader sense than just including the Christian–no one should willfully cause another to sin over such a matter as a piece of meat, or things of such nature.
V. 29 – my liberty – Paul had explained when and how the Christina could eat (or exercise freedoms found in Christ) and some dangers and/or limitations that were relevant to those in Corinth.
scruples – Translates the same Greek term as conscience in v. 25, 27, 28.
V. 30 – thankfulness – The recognition of the true nature of meats, days, conscience, idols, and the other items in our text will lift many load from one’s mind.  As I Tim. 4:1ff. explains, God expects the Christian to eat whatever is provided, giving thanks to the God who ultimately provided it.
denounced – Paul well recognized that many, even of the Christian community, needed instruction in such matters, or would disagree with his actions.  However, he could not possibly please everyone, and so had to live in good conscience, pleasing others as much as possible.
For us today, the principles Paul taught are still valid.  Sometimes we need to learn them, or understand how they apply better, or be more anxious about another’s welfare than our own.  Sometimes we will just have to recognize a disagreement exists, for whatever reason, and do our best to love in a greater way.  We may need to be quiet rather than speak out, or move somewhere else, or restudy our own position and attitude.  Sometimes it isn’t the position that one holds that is the problem; it’s the attitude held about the position that creates the problem.  If the attitudes are bad, more “heat than light” is often the result.
In thinking about matters of conscience, it might be good to reread the comments in lesson 12.  As an additional note, we must be careful to distinguish between a matter of conscience and a matter of like or dislike.  Sometimes these overlap, but at other times they do not do so.  As an illustration, I do not like “Christian rock music” as it’s called.  Others do.  It is not, in my judgment, what ought to be sung or played by a Christian.  As such, it is a matter of conscience for me.  A second illustration: I do not care for raw eggs or rare steak; others do.  However, it is not a matter of conscience with me.  If someone serves ice cream that has not had the mixture cooked, I just eat it anyway; and “rare” steak the same way.  It isn’t what is preferred, but no conscience is involved.  (You may think of many such things in your life, since all of us have such things true of us.)  I readily admit that no Scripture can be quoted for the first point; I just think such music is “unchristian” in its beat and implication thereof.  Since I have no text that specifically forbids it, while I won’t accept it, I will not say that others are not Christian who do accept it.  In this area of music, you might consider how the piano fits into the area of conscience, and if the Scripture specifically says anything about such things.
V. 31 – While the good of others as well as one’s own welfare are important issues, the glory of God overrides both.  All of us sinned and fall short of God’s glory, Rom. 3:23.  Jesus has made it possible to be redeemed from sin and, having been justified by faith in Christ, we can rejoice in our hope of sharing God’s glory, Rom. 5:1-2.  In this light, Paul enjoins all to put God first in word or deed.  As has been said for centuries, the Christian’s earnest desire ought to be summed up in our glorification of God and our enjoyment of Him forever.  If this be our state of mind throughout life, then all we do will be done with that primary purpose in view.
V. 32 – With such a frame of mind as mentioned above, each Christian will want to do as Paul instructs in vv. 32-33.
offense – See 8:9 for discussion of the Greek word behind offense.
Jews . . . Greeks . . . Church – Note that this simply summarizes what Paul had already written in 9:19-23.  The sacrifice of self, if need be, must be done for the sake of many.  (It has been observed over a number of years that some preachers would rather split a congregation than move on.  One ought to be very careful about why “such ans such” is insisted on to the extent of division of brethren.  Few things are important enough to bring a split among brethren.  As before suggested, perhaps moving to another place is more gracious than having one’s own way, however “right” the way may seem.)
advantage – See this term back in 6:12; 7:35; 10:33.  For other texts where sumpher_ occurs, check Mt. 5:29; 19:10; Jn. 11:50; 18:14; Acts 19:19; 20:20; II Cor. 8:10; 12:1; Heb. 12:10.
they may be saved – The heart of Paul is expressed here, as in 9:22.
11:1 – imitators – The Greek term comes into English transliterated as “mimic” which rather well expresses what is meant.  Many things could be suggested as items in Paul’s life or the life of Jesus ought to be reproduced in lives of Christians.  Certainly such texts as the unit we have just discussed would present part of Paul’s life.  He knew his life wasn’t perfect, and so pointed to his master, Jesus, as the example in every respect.  God may not have told us all we wished to know about many things, but He saw fit to tell us plenty about Jesus in the four gospel accounts.  Then He had men write the epistles for the purpose of instruction of the saints, os that all might grow unto the measure of the stature of Christ, Eph. 4:13.  May it be so of us!
Let us attempt to review and sum up the whole discussion.  A question about the eating of meat was asked Paul.  It might have seemed simple enough to answer, just “yea” or “nay” would do.  However, may other issues were involved.  So Paul discussed at least the following:

  1) 	the fact about God and “gods.”
  2) 	the relationship of knowledge to love.
  3) 	the relationship of knowledge to conscience.
  4) 	the relationship of conscience to sin.
  5) 	the example of rights and exercise of rights.
  6) 	the dangers in freedom.
  7) 	the relationship of God, the Christian and temptation.
  8) 	the relationship of idols to demons, Israel to altars, etc.
  9) 	the issue of hospitality and conscience.
10) 	the primary purpose for Christian living.

All of these related to the seemingly simple question about meat, which was both “clean” and “unclean” depending upon the circumstances involved.  As an aside, most questions involving religious matters do not have simple answers.  one reason is that religious matters for the Christian involve all of life, and life is anything but simple.  Another reason is that many Scriptures may bear on the subject, as was the case with the widows in 7:40.  Hence, don’t be always irritated if someone doesn’t give a categorical “yes” or “no” to some question you ask.  there may be such an answer; there may not be any answer.

	LESSON 15 QUESTIONS

1. 	In your own words, outline and summarize the whole context of 8:1-11:1 as you see it.  Don’t worry if you disagree with others, but study to see why you thing as you do, etc.

2. 	What did God say about the status of meat?

3. 	What is true about idols?

4. 	What is the relationship between freedom (rights) and privilege?

5. 	How does 10:23 apply to the whole discussion?

6. 	Should eating mean/food in another’s home ever be a matter of conscience insofar as the food itself is concerned?

7. 	Do you do things with a free conscience that others think wrong to do?

8. 	If you answered “yes” to #7, how do you justify yourself?

9. 	How do you behave as you do (if you answered “yes” to #7 which you probably did) and still believe that you are doing whatever you do to the glory of God?

10. 	What ways would you say should be changed in your life to imitate Christ?