Day 37 in the Word: 1 Corinthians 10: 23-30

About the passage

Liberty! Paul has it! He has freedom, but that liberty does not give him license to do whatever. There is an encouragement to look out for the needs of others. He reminds us that the Earth is God’s, so he goes to a strong place on buying meat-Don’t go crazy trying to learn the origin-unless you are trying to strain your conscience. whatever you have, give thanks for it.

 

Rev. Gregory Dyson

Vice President for Spiritual Life and Intercultural Leadership | Campus Pastor

²³ You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. ²⁴ Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. ²⁵ So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. ²⁶ For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” ²⁷ If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸ (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. ²⁹ It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? ³⁰ If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?

Questions