The First Epistle to the Corinthians

1. I Corinth 10:23 – “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.” All things are lawful for me – a very strong statement. Who’s law? but not all things are helpful.…but not all things edify. The qualification! edify in the writings of Paul means to advance spiritually. A reiteration of 1 Cor 6:12 Rom 14:19 - Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Rom 15:1,2 - We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. All of this requires wisdom and judgment, Holy Spirit-led! I Corinth 10:24 – “Let no one seek his own, but each The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 - The Principle of Christian Liberty 1 July 24, 2016 Bob Eckel

2. one the other’s well-being.” seek here is imperative and implies demanding something for oneself. What is the motive when we seek for ourselves? What is another’s well-being or wealth (not in the original text; thus, for other’s)? 1 Corinth 1:25,26 – “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; or “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” (Psalm 24:1). Define conscience! Strong – ‘the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other’. What is the conscience’s source? The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 - The Principle of Christian Liberty 2 July 24, 2016 Bob Eckel

3. Couldn’t the conscience be equally influenced by the old man as well as by the wisdom and truth that comes from above? Rom 2:14, 15 - for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them). Rom 9:1 – I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, McCalley – ‘Verses. 20-21 had forbidden the eating of things offered to idols; verse 25 permits it. How may these verses be reconciled? Verses 20-21 deal with the Christian’s presence in the heathen temple where the meat was sacrificed. Verse 25, however, deals with the meat that had left the temple and arrived at the market place. This would show that upon arrival in the market place the meat loses its pagan religious significance.' Why did Paul add Psalm 24:1? Rom 14:14 - I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 - The Principle of Christian Liberty 3 July 24, 2016 Bob Eckel

4. unclean, to him it is unclean. 1 Corinth 10:27 – “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.” Here Paul addresses a practicality, the believer is invited to a non-believer’s home for dinner and note, you want to go; now what do you do if offered meat? Who’s conscience, yours or theirs? If you don’t drink should you? And notice, the verse says eat, not drink but should it also apply to drink? 1 Corinth 10:28 – “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; The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 - The Principle of Christian Liberty 4 July 24, 2016 Bob Eckel

5. for the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” – omitted in most translations; simply repeat of Psalm 24:1 Who is this anyone (informer)? The host, another who was invited and if so is s/he a believer or non-believer, and whomever does it make any difference? Again, who’s conscience? 1 Corinth 10:29,30 – “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?” So what do you think, should our liberty be judged by another man’s conscience? See 1Cor 8:10-13 - For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 - The Principle of Christian Liberty 5 July 24, 2016 Bob Eckel

6. an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. But is our liberty in Christ Jesus really abridged by another man’s conscience? No, it’s simply - Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men - 2 Cor 8:21 1 Corinth 10:31 – “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” An often quoted verse that relates to all life of (in) the believer. Gal 2:20 - “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 1 Corinth 10:32,33 – “Give no offense, either to the The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 - The Principle of Christian Liberty 6 July 24, 2016 Bob Eckel

7. Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” Note here that Jews, Greeks and church implies the whole world. Did Paul really please all men in all things? Better translated ‘strive to please’. 2 Cor 6:3 - Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: And the verse continues that the striving related to that they may be saved. And it wasn’t about Paul was it! The First Epistle to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 - The Principle of Christian Liberty 7 July 24, 2016 Bob Eckel