1 Corinthians 10:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.

NASB: If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions, for the sake of conscience.

CSB: If any of the unbelievers invites you over and you want to go, eat everything that is set before you, without raising questions for the sake of conscience.

NLT: 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.

KJV: If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

NKJV: 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.

Paul is giving his final verdict on the issue of Christians eating food that has been offered to pagan idols. His first guideline is to eat the meat they buy in the market with a clear conscience. It's true that some of that meat likely will have been offered to one of Corinth's many idols. Paul tells the Christians not to worry about that. Meat is God's creation and a gift from Him, no matter whether it has been offered to an idol or not (1 Corinthians 8:4–7; 10:25–26).

Paul's second guideline is based on whether the meat may have been offered to an idol. Paul says that if an unbeliever invites a Christian to dinner in their home, the Christian should once again eat whatever food he or she is given with a clear conscience. They shouldn't ask about the meat's history with idols; they should just eat and enjoy. This, again, is in keeping with the idea that there is nothing inherently sinful about meat.

The following verse will show when a believer should turn down a meal offered by an unbeliever. The dividing line between these verses is crucial in Christian ethics. Sin is defined not in terms of simple lists, but an understanding of the will of God and the needs of others. Just as it's a sin for a person to violate their conscience (Romans 14:23), even if it's "weak" (1 Corinthians 8:7), it's a sin to carelessly tempt others to go beyond their convictions (1 Corinthians 8:10–12).

First Corinthians 10:23—11:1 shows that merely asking, ''Is this lawful?'' is the wrong question for Christians. Instead, we must continue by asking, ''Will this glorify God?'' and ''Will this build up our neighbors?'' Paul instructs them to act on this by refusing to eat meat they know has been offered to an idol. The reason is to avoid causing anyone to think Christians approve of idol worship in any way. They are free, though, to eat any meat they don't know to have been offered to an idol, with a clear conscience, and with thanks to God. The key message of this passage is that our intent, and the effects of our actions on others, are more important than the physical things involved.

Idol worship is an extremely serious sin. Paul reminds the Christians in idol-saturated Corinth of that by referring to the history of the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness. Though blessed by God, they worshiped false idols. God killed many of them for it. Paul commands his readers to flee from idol worship. To participate with idol worship in any way is to participate with demons. God always provides some way to avoid sin. So, they must avoid giving anyone the idea that they approve of idol worship, even by knowingly eating food offered to idols. Their first question must always be, ''Will this glorify God?''

The previous chapter concluded with Paul's commitment to continue to control himself. He exercises discipline so he does not become ineffective in his ministry. He begins chapter 10 by reminding the Corinthians of how the Israelites brought consequences on themselves in the wilderness. Among their many sins was worshiping idols, and God killed many of them for it. The Corinthians must flee idol worship and any appearance of supporting the demonic practice. They are free to eat meat if they don't know that it is idol food. However, they should be ready to set aside their own freedoms and rights whenever doing so will glorify God and win others to Christ.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.