Year Two, October 11

Let Anyone Who Thinks That He Stands Take Heed Lest He Fall1

In the opening verses of chapter ten of First Corinthians, Paul mentions the sins and chastisement2 of ancient Israel. We begin today’s reading with verse twelve.

  

1 Corinthians 10:12-33

12Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (If our temptations were unlike any that anyone else had ever had, and there was no way out of them, then we might have no hope of overcoming them. But that is not the case! The Lord will not try us too much, too long, or too often. Grace will carry us through our temptations.)

14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. (We are to avoid every kind of idolatry. This includes bowing before the cross or a wafer of bread. It is idolatrous worship and Christ’s faithful followers are commanded to flee from it.) 16The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 

19What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. (Whether Christian or Jew, participating in holy feasts involves fellowship. It is the same with idolaters. If we have fellowship with them, we are sharing in their sin.) 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? (Friendship with the unholy is defiance to Christ. It is an open challenge of his kingship.)

23“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 27If 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. (There could be no harm in the meat itself, and the believer was free to eat what was set before them so far as they themselves were concerned. But there were times when it would be better not to eat with the unbeliever. If others saw it as a Christian taking part in an idolatrous sacrifice, then it would be best to avoid eating the meal.)

28But 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-- 29I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

31So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (This is the rule for all consumption. Let us always observe it. Much evil may come from eating and drinking. It was by eating that Adam first fell from innocence. “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”3) 32Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. (What we may do lawfully may frequently be better not to do to avoid injuring others. We must sometimes deny ourselves for their sakes. Selfishness in a Christian is a terrible sin.)

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¹ 1 Corinthians 10:12

² chasten, chastening or chastisement - The act of discipline which may include scolding, criticizing or pain inflicted for the purpose of correction or moral improvement.

³ Matthew 26:41