1 Corinthians 10:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience—

NIV: But if someone says to you, 'This has been offered in sacrifice,' then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.

NASB: But if anyone says to you, 'This is meat sacrificed to idols,' do not eat it, for the sake of that one who informed you and for the sake of conscience;

CSB: But if someone says to you, "This is food from a sacrifice," do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience.

NLT: (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.

KJV: But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

NKJV: 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.”

This offers Paul's final verdict on when a Christian should or should not eat meat that has been offered to an idol. So far, he has given believers freedom to eat meat of unknown association with a clear conscience. If they buy it in the market, they should eat it freely. If they are served it as a guest in the home of an unbeliever, they should also enjoy it without hesitation. It's just meat, ultimately, and not something God labels as a sin for any particular reason.

This verse, however, creates a sharp contrast to what's been said so far. The difference is striking, though the reason is consistent. In short, intent matters. Paul has said that it's wrong for a person to violate their conscience (Romans 14:23). He's indicated that the good of others is paramount, even over our "rights" (1 Corinthians 9:12). He has also said it's a sin for a "stronger" Christian to tempt a "weaker" Christian to do something against their convictions, even if that thing is not necessarily sinful (Romans 8:8–13). The "strong" Christian has the freedom to enjoy—and there is no sin in doing so. That same Christian, however, has an obligation to consider the perspective of those who are spiritually weaker.

So, here, Paul mentions what to do if someone—presumably a weaker or concerned Christian—questions the meat's connection to idolatry. If the unbeliever mentions that the meat has been offered to an idol, Christians should not eat it. Paul is clear about the motive: Refusing to eat meat known to have been offered to an idol should be done for the sake of the person who told them about it, for the conscience of the unbeliever.

Paul insists that the believers in Corinth avoid giving even the slightest bit of knowing support to idol worship to show unbelievers that they are separated from it. Those who do not know Christ should not be confused about who Christians worship. They should know both from the words and the actions of the believers that Christians worship Christ alone and no other gods.

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.