1 Corinthians 10:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

NIV: for, 'The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.'

NASB: FOR THE EARTH IS THE Lord’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS.

CSB: since the earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it.

NLT: For 'the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.'

KJV: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

NKJV: for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

Paul is delivering his final verdict on the question of when a Christian should and should not eat meat in idol-saturated Corinth. He will make clear that he is not concerned about the meat itself, but that all of them be motivated by doing what is best for each other. The first guideline, described in the previous verse, was that they should eat whatever meat they buy in the market freely and openly and with a clear conscience. Some of the meat sold in the market had very likely been offered to an idol. Paul told them not to worry about that, and presumably not even to ask.

Now he explains why eating the meat they buy in the market is not a cause for concern: The earth belongs to the Lord. By using this quote from Psalm 24:1, Paul is saying that meat is just meat, whether offered to an idol or not. It comes from God, ultimately, and it should be enjoyed as something created and given by Him. This follows Paul's agreement that meat is just meat (1 Corinthians 8:4–7) and his other statements that there is a positive use for all things God has created (1 Timothy 4:4).

The next guideline will show that the question of eating such meat only becomes an issue when a Christian knows it has been offered to an idol. This is in keeping with Paul's insistence that just because a Christian has a "right" to something does not mean that indulging in it is always a good idea (1 Corinthians 9:24–27; 10:23–24).

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.