Mind that Meat! (Limits on Liberty) – 1 Corinthians 10:14-33

Paul concludes his inspired teaching on the issue of Christian liberty, particularly as it relates to meats offered to idols. These principles are vital for our own benefit as we seek to regulate our liberty for the higher purposes of the glory of God and the good of others.

Paul returns to the subject of meat offered to idols, introduced back in Chapter 8. This theme forms the backdrop to the exhortations we have been studying in chapter 9 and the first part of chapter 10. The “strong” brethren in the assembly were self-confident and puffed up over their liberty, getting dangerously close to the line between what was permissible and what was sinful. As Gromacki notes, “Paul wanted to demonstrate that participation in the pagan feasts within the temple actually was a misuse of liberty and really involved them in the fellowship with the evil world of demons.”

We will study this section under three headings.

The Appeal Concerning Christian Liberty (Vs. 14- 18)

The Exhortation of the Appeal (Vs. 14-15)

1. A Call to be Careful (Vs. 14)
   Paul issues an appeal to their hearts.
   1. ‘wherefore’ = on the basis of the previous exhortations. Paul has just warned the believers of the danger of falling like Israel of old,
   2. “flee from idolatry” = rather than walking close to the line with idolatry, they were to flee from it. Beware of a cliffhanger approach to the Christian life!
2. A Call to be Thoughtful (Vs. 15)
   Paul issues an appeal to their minds.
   1. Paul now appeals to them as “wise men”. He is not being sarcastic or demeaning. He believes that they have the capacity to work through the inspired logic as fellow believers.
   2. Paul calls them to engage their minds in a reasoning process. Thinking things through carefully and biblically is an integral part of the Christian life!

The Examples of the Appeal (Vs. 16-18)

The reoccurring Greek word in these verses is ‘koinonia’, meaning “communion, fellowship, participating with”. Paul uses 2 illustrations in his line of argument/reasoning.

1. The Fellowship of the N.T. Table (Vs. 16-17)
   1. The fellowship of the blood (cup) (Vs. 16a). The cup represents the blood of Christ. Through the blood, we have been brought into fellowship with God, and when we participate in the Lord’s Table, we enter into communion with our Lord Jesus. The word ‘communion’ has the sense of “participation fellowship – the act of sharing in the activities or privileges of an intimate association or group, especially use of marriage and churches.” (Logos Exegetical Guide) The Same word is also translated ‘fellowship’ 11 times in the New Testament (E.g., Acts 2:42, 1 Cor. 1:9, Gal. 2:9, Eph. 3:9, Phil. 2:1, 3:10, 1 Jn. 1:3, 6, 7), ‘communication’ (Phm. 1:6) and ‘communicate’ (Heb. 13:6).
   2. The fellowship of the bread (Vs. 16b). The bread represents the body of Christ. Christ is the bread of life, and we received that life-giving bread at salvation (Jn. 6:35, 51).
   3. The fellowship of the believers (Vs. 17). There is union and communion amongst God’s people by virtue of the fact that we have all eaten the bread of life, which is Christ. There is fellowship with the Lord and with each other in the assembly when we gather around the Lord’s Table.
2. The Fellowship of the O.T. Altar (Vs. 18)
   1. Paul now illustrates the same point from the Old Testament. Those who ate the sacrifices were connected to the altar and ultimately to the God who instituted those sacrifices. In certain offerings, the offerors ate a portion of the offering after part had been burned on the altar and part given to the priests (Lev. 7:15- 21; Deut. 12:5-7 and 18:18). To participate in the sacrificial feasts was to have fellowship with the living God who appointed them.
   2. “Paul is emphasising that all who ate of the offering identified themselves with God and with the nation of Israel and, in short, with all of which the altar spoke” (Believer’s Bible Commentary)

The Admonition Concerning Christian Liberty (Vs. 19-22)

Paul now applies the logic and reasoning of the previous verses. If participating in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament brought you into fellowship with God and if participating in the Lord’s table in the New Testament brings you into communion with God and other believers, then participating in idolatry brings you into fellowship with the devil! Paul warns them:

Do Not Participate with Devils (Vs. 19-21)

1. The Satanism of Idolatry Exposed (Vs. 19-20)
   1. The idols and the sacrifices themselves are nothing (Vs. 19). However, Paul unmasks the reality that behind those dumb, deaf idols, evil spirits lurk. Satan desires worship, and he deceives multitudes into worshipping him through false gods.
   2. The common mantra “well, we all ultimately are worshipping the same God, no matter our religion” is false. Every other god apart from the One True God is a Satanic deception.
   3. The warning, therefore, is clear: “I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils”. The stronger brethren were playing on the edge of spiritual danger on this issue of meat offered to idols. They were getting dangerously close to the line between what was permissible and what was sinful.
   4. The biblical approach should be to err on the side of staying away from that line, rather than getting as close to it as possible in the name of “liberty”.
2. The Separation from Idolatry Enjoined (Vs. 21)
   1. Note the phrase “ye cannot” is repeated twice. It is impossible, as far as God is concerned, for a believer to have fellowship with God and devils at the same time.
   2. Watch out for the “cup of devils” and the “table of devils” in this world. Beware of being brought into contact with the world of evil spirits through movies, music and media. Avoid the world of the New Age with its crystals, palm readings, star signs and yoga classes.
   3. What a choice is set before us! The cup of the Lord or the cup of devils. The table of the Lord or the table of devils.
   4. The call is to a life of strict separation. This is the exact opposite of contemporary Christianity, which embraces the world. Compromised Christianity says you can eat at both tables and drink from both cups, but God’s Word says otherwise! Lukewarm Christianity embraces worldliness and rejects biblical separation.

Do Not Provoke the Lord (Vs. 22a)

1. The word ‘jealousy’ comes from the Greek root ζηλόω, which means “zeal”. The word means “to cause to be desirous or zealous for exclusivity in a relationship” (Logos Exegetical Guide). This is a holy jealousy, not a sinful envy. God has a holy zeal that we be devoted to Him. He is provoked to jealousy when we commit spiritual adultery with the world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15). Some of the Corinthians were flirting with idolatry and were in danger of committing spiritual adultery with idolatry.
2. The Jealousy of God is a major theme in Scripture. Compare Ex. 20:5; 34:14, Deut. 4:24; 5:9, 6:15, 32:16, 21; Jos. 24:19; Ez. 8:3; Na. 1:2; Jas. 4:4-5. In fact, one of His Divine titles is Jealous. Ex. 34:14 “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:”
3. ‘Jealousy’ is wounded love (Gromacki).
4. Illustration: Your jealousy over your spouse and his/her devotion to you.

Do Not Presume You Are Strong (Vs. 22b)

1. Are we stronger than the Lord? The answer is clearly NO! Then why do we, as believers, so often act as if we have the strength to handle temptation rather than run from it?
2. This ties back to the admonition of verse 11. When you are self- confident in your ability to stand, you are in grave danger of falling.

The Application of Christian Liberty (Vs. 23-33)

Paul now makes the principle practical. He outlines:

The Standards for the Application of Liberty (Vs. 23-24; 31-33)

The Apostle provides 5 standards for regulating Christian liberty. We will express them as questions.

Is it profitable? (Vs. 23a)

1. Observe that the consideration must go beyond what might be deemed “lawful”. Most Christians consider only whether something is permissible and fail to apply these other principles. We should also note that today there is much that is justified and excused under the banner of “Christian liberty”, that is, in fact, blatant disobedience to clear Scripture. That said, there is a category of morally neutral things, and wisdom and discernment are needed in this area.
2. The word ‘expedient’ comes from “the word ‘sumpherei’, bears together for good and so worthwhile. The word means profitable, advantageous, best suitable, appropriate (Mounce).
3. The same word is translated ‘profit’ (7:35, 10:33, 12:7) and ‘profitable’ (Matt. 5:29, 20; Acts 20:20)

Is it edifying? (Vs. 23b)

The word ‘edify’ means to build up spiritually. It is a construction term. So the question is, will this exercise of a legitimate liberty add something to my Christian life? This principle, if applied, will help us remove many things that are harmless and at the same time useless as far as eternity is concerned (e.g., time wasters).

Is it loving? (Vs. 24)

We are to be more concerned about the spiritual well-being of others than our own rights. We need to be concerned for the glory of God (Vs. 31) and the good of others (Vs. 24). This is so important that he repeats it three times (Compare 1 Cor. 8:8-13, 9:20-22). Php. 2:4 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Is it God-glorifying? (Vs. 31)

This verse gives us the right approach to the Christian life in a nutshell. It is the principle that should be overarching every aspect of our Christian lives. It encompasses everything (“whatsoever ye do…do all”).

Is it offence-causing? (Vs. 32-33)

The people we should consider (Vs. 32)

1. The word ‘offence’ means “stumbling block”. We need to consider our testimony before non-believers and believers.
2. Paul mentions three categories of people: the Jews, the Gentiles (non-Jews) and the church of God.

The pattern we should follow (Vs. 33)

1. Paul exemplified the truths he was teaching in his own life. He was not a people pleaser in the sense of a compromiser, but he did seek not cause unnecessary offence to the people he ministered to.
2. He was willing to exercise self-denial for the much higher purpose of winning souls (“that they might be saved”).

Scenarios for the Application of Liberty (Vs. 25-30)

1. Scenario # 1: Meat purchased in the market (Vs. 25-26)
   1. The word ‘shambles’ means “meat market”. If you were purchasing meat at the market, you were under no obligation to inquire about its origins.
   2. Paul quotes Psalm 24:1 in support of this approach. The whole earth and all that’s in it belongs to the Lord. Therefore, the purchase of meat, even if offered to an idol, was of no moral consequence. The believer’s food is supplied by the gracious hand of the True God, not some dumb idol.
   3. Note: Shopping in a market context would be very different to participating in an idolatrous feast/event (e.g., in the environs of a pagan temple).
2. Scenario # 2: Invitation to a meal with an unbeliever (Vs. 27-30)
   1. In this scenario, the believer has been invited to a feast (‘bid’ = to call) and feels ‘disposed’ to go. The word ‘disposed’ comes from the Greek word ‘thelo’, meaning “to feel or have a desire for; wish, want.” It means to be “inclined” (Webster 1828). The Scripture allows a believer to participate in a meal with a non- Christian under certain conditions. In light of the previous verses, we can rule out that this would include an idolatrous event/pagan party (e.g., a function in a pagan temple). To go there would be to associate directly with idolatry and the demons behind it. (Vs. 19-22). There are some worldly invitations you must refuse as a believer! But in some contexts, it is appropriate to attend a meal with the unsaved to be a witness.
   2. Note: Stricter standards of separation are to be applied to professing believers living in sin (See 1 Cor. 5).
   3. On this occasion, the exhortation again is not to inquire as to the origin of the meat. However, if someone were to point out that the meat had been offered to an idol, you would refrain from eating it out of respect for the conscience of the one who brought it to your attention (presumably a weaker brother or possibly even a non-believer who has higher expectations of you as a believer).
   4. The same quotation from Psalm 24:1 is appealed to for this command. The same Scripture applies in both scenarios.
   5. David Cloud explains, “Why does Paul repeat the phrase ‘For the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof’? In verse 26, he is saying that the believer is at liberty to eat any food, even that which has been offered to idols, because everything belongs to the Lord. In verse 28, he is saying that if the believer must give up his liberty for the sake of not offending another person’s conscience, he should do so because his Lord and Master owns all things, and it is better to honour Him than to please oneself.”

Conclusion

Love limits liberty! Love for the unsaved (our testimony) and love for the brethren should motivate us to deny self. This is a very important truth in a day when one of the main things being pushed is “liberty”. If your liberty is hurting others, then let go of the liberty. If your liberty is bringing you right to the fine line between the permissible and the sinful, give it up.

Sermon 27 in 1 Corinthians Series

Sermon Audio Id: 11726222915424