Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1.

Introduction⤒🔗

Jane was a little girl whose father and mother were missionaries in Japan. Being a little girl, Jane wanted a doll; so her aunt in America sent her one.

Jane loved that doll. She rocked it to sleep, gave it a bath, and had much fun playing with it. But when some of the Japanese Christians saw Jane’s doll, they mistook it for an idol. (In Japan, the people have little doll-like idols that sit on the shelves in their homes.)

Jane’s parents told her what some of the Japanese Christians thought of her doll; and, regretfully, Jane would have to give up her doll so that she would not cause confusion and a stumbling block to the Japanese Christians. So Jane gave up her doll. She felt very sad. But she did not want to hurt any of the Japanese Christians.¹

Little Jane was doing exactly what the Apostle Paul instructs the Corinthians and us to do: little Jane was imitating Christ. Like Jane, we, too, must take the example of Christ our Savior as our model to instruct us how we are to conduct ourselves in a way that is pleasing to God and beneficial to others. In our relationship with others and in our public conduct, let us be sure to imitate Christ, rather than only thinking of how we may satisfy ourselves.

Imitate Christ, by Seeking Your Neighbor’s Welfare←⤒🔗

In verse twenty-three, Paul once again states the great axiom or principle for New Testament Christian living: “Everything is permissible.” This was a principle the Corinthian Christians appreciated, but one they misinterpreted and misapplied. They took it to mean, “anything goes,” there are no binding standards for the Christian’s conduct. But contrast this erroneous view with the Apostle Paul’s teaching regarding the purpose of our salvation,

God...by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering...condemned sin in the flesh [i.e. in the sinful nature], ⁴so that the righteous requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Rom. 8:3-4

What the Corinthians failed to understand is that the principle (“Everything is permissible”) is teaching that the Old Testament ceremonial laws are no longer binding upon the Christian in this New Testament dispensation. The principle is not a license to disregard the moral law; it is rather, a deliverance from the burden of the O.T. ceremonial laws, which pointed to our life in Christ, (a life separated from the world and holy unto God), and now are abrogated with the coming of Christ and our actual participation in His holy resurrection life.

Because of the Corinthians’ confusion with regard to this principle, Paul adds two qualifications to it. The first qualification is, “Not everything is beneficial.” That is to say, not every activity is spiritually profitable; some activities, although not expressly sinful, may be detrimental, (by way of example: the viewing of movies with heavy emphasis on violence or sexuality or profanity). The second qualification is, “Not everything is constructive.” Not every activity is conducive to our own spiritual growth, or the spiritual welfare of our Christian brothers and sisters. Consequently, as a mature New Testament Christian, we need to apply the principle (“Everything is permissible”) with discretion, bearing in mind the two qualifications submitted by the Apostle Paul.

In verse twenty-four, Paul presents another great axiom or principle that must govern New Testament Christian living: “No one should demand his own rights, but should seek the good of others.” The Christian life is not to be dominated by a self-seeking, self-pleasing attitude; rather, we must take into consideration the welfare of our Christian brothers and make their welfare a chief concern. Our Lord Jesus instructs us that the second great commandment is, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39). Thus, this second principle, (presented in verse twenty-four), must become a guideline for how we are to apply the first principle, (presented in verse twenty-three), and it prevents us from selfishly abusing or misusing that first principle.

In verses 25-29, the Apostle Paul goes on to apply these two principles to an actual situation of everyday life that the Corinthian Christians faced: “Eat whatever is sold in the marketplace, without questioning it because of [your] conscience.” The Christian is free to eat whatever meat he desires, without concern over the fact that the meat in question had previously been offered to a pagan “deity,” which in fact, is no deity. The Christian is free to partake of any and all foods because of the truth expressed in the Old Testament Scriptures: “the earth and all that it contains belongs to the LORD.” The apostle here is referencing Psalm 24:1. The Christian must realize and remember that all things have been created by the LORD God and He has graciously given all to us for our satisfaction and enjoyment. Following the Great Flood, the LORD gave this instruction to Noah, “Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything” (Gen. 9:3).

Note: It is foolish and dangerous to violate the conscience when its voice is in harmony with the Word of God. By way of example, when our conscience, in harmony with the Word of God, convicts us of the sinfulness of stealing, we do well to heed our conscience and refrain from any act of stealing. But there are times when the conscience itself needs to be brought into harmony with the Word of God and be liberated from the bondage of a scrupulousness that goes beyond the Word of God. Consider Colossians 2:20-23, a passage in which Paul explains that an overly strict conscience not only makes demands that are beyond the requirements of the Word of God, but is of no true value in combating the sinful tendencies that still remain with us:

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules, [such as], ^21'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'? ²²These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commandments and teachings. ²³Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Col. 2:20-23

In verse twenty-seven, Paul goes on to write, “If any of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you want to go, eat whatever is set before you without questioning it because of [your] conscience.” In this verse the apostle appears to be counseling the Corinthians as follows: If your conscience is sensitive to the fact that the meat set before you has been offered to a pagan “deity,” let your conscience be emboldened and set to rest with the truth of Scripture, (as presented in such passages as Psalm 24:1 and Genesis 9:3, mentioned above). But, according to verses 28-29, if a fellow Christian informs you that the meat has been offered to a pagan “deity,” then do not eat it, for the sake of his conscience. Out of love, we are to abstain from the full and public use of our Christian rights and privileges rather than offend, confuse, test, or despise a weaker Christian brother.

Our own conscience should conform to the liberty and requirements of the Word of God, but in our use of Christian liberty we must be sensitive to the consciences of our Christian brothers and sisters. Note Romans 15:1-3a,

We who are strong ought to bear with the weaknesses of the weak and not to please ourselves. ²Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up; ³for even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written, The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.

Let us imitate Christ, by seeking our neighbor’s welfare. As the Apostle Paul will inform the Corinthians, “Love...is not self-seeking” (1 Cor. 13:5). As His disciples, we are called to be like Christ our Savior, of whom it is written, “Christ loved us, and gave himself up for us” (Eph. 5:2).

Imitate Christ, by Doing Everything to the Glory of God←⤒🔗

In verse thirty-one, the apostle presents the third and greatest principle for Christian living: “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

This is the principle that must regulate our use of Christian rights and liberties, that is what Paul has in mind when he writes, “whether you eat or drink,” all is to be done unto the glory of God. In very practical terms, one glorifies God when he causes his conscience to be regulated by both the liberties and the regulations prescribed in the Word of God; thereby submitting to the LORD’s sovereign and gracious lordship, rather than to any illegitimate “lordship” of an overly-scrupulous conscience. Again, in very practical terms, we glorify God when we receive with thankfulness His good gifts and enjoy them. Of course, it goes without saying that we glorify God, when we by grace, keep the holy commandments of His moral law.

The great principle the Apostle Paul sets forth in verse 31 is the principle that must regulate all of our everyday living: “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Old Testament Israel was taught this truth by means of the table of the bread of the Presence set in the tabernacle:

Make a table of acacia wood, two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half in height. ²⁴Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it... ³⁰Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times. Ex. 25:23-24,30

The bread, symbolizing Israel’s daily labor and the fruit of their labor, was set in the immediate presence of the LORD, (the table was set right in front of the ark of the covenant, with only the curtain separating the two), thereby symbolically teaching that all of life is lived in the presence of God and should be lived for the glory of God.

A New Testament application of this great principle is presented in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work with all your heart, as doing it for the LORD and not for men; ²⁴knowing that from the LORD you will receive the compensation that is the inheritance. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

This great principle governed the life of Christ our Savior. Our Lord glorified God His Father by surrendering His will to His Father’s will. Referring to the cross of Calvary, which loomed before Him, our Lord Jesus Christ declared, “Now my soul is troubled; and what shall I say? [Shall I say], “Father, save me from this hour”? But it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. ²⁸“Father, glorify your name” (Jn. 12:27-28). As they depart from the upper room, Christ makes clear to His disciples the reason He is going to the cross, the place where criminals were executed. He first states it in negative terms: “The prince of the world...has nothing in me” (Jn. 14:30). That is to say, because Christ is sinless, there is no accusation that the devil can bring against Him. Thus, in negative terms, Christ's going to the cross is not due to any act of disobedience. Stated in positive terms, Christ is going to the cross as the ultimate act of obedience to His Father; the Father has commanded Him to go to the cross, and, therefore, out of love for the Father, He complies: “I love the Father, I will do just as the Father commanded me” (Jn. 14:31).

Let us imitate Christ, by doing everything to the glory of God. This must pertain not only to our church activities, but also to our everyday job, to our choice of recreation, to our personal relationships, to all aspects of our lives in this present world.

Imitate Christ, by Giving No Occasion for Someone to Stumble←⤒🔗

In verse thirty-two, Paul exhorts us as Christians to live lives that are inoffensive: “Cause no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or to the church of God.” What is envisioned here is a life that does not cause harm or injury; a life that does not provoke others to anger or wrongdoing; a life that is not objectionable due to it being glaringly inconsistent with the life of Christ. An inoffensive life is one of the themes for Christian living that is presented throughout the New Testament epistles:

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with all men. Rom. 12:18

Let us, therefore, make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Rom. 14:19

In giving this exhortation to live an inoffensive life, the New Testament makes clear that there are certain exceptions. We are never to compromise the truth or to be silenced from proclaiming the gospel:

Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. ²⁸We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, he said. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood. ²⁹Peter and the other apostles replied, We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:27-29

We are not to remain silent in the face of injustice. The Book of Proverbs exhorts us, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. ⁹Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Prov. 31:8-9). Consider the Apostle Paul’s response to the injustice he and Silas suffered in the city of Philippi at the hands of the city officials:

The jailer told Paul, The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace. ³⁷But Paul said to the officers, They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out. Acts 16:36-37

The way to obey this exhortation to lead an inoffensive life is presented to us in verse thirty-three, “I try to please everyone in every way; not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of the many, so that they may be saved.” By his own example, the Apostle Paul points out that the key to living such an inoffensive life is living a life that is oriented towards others rather than self-oriented and self-absorbed: it is living a truly Christ-like life. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul calls upon us to follow his example just as he himself is following Christ’s example: “Follow my example, just as I [follow the example] of Christ.”

Let us imitate Christ, by giving no occasion for someone to stumble. The Apostle Paul reveals to the Philippians the extent of Christ’s self-giving love, and calls up us to imitate His example:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but with a humble mind let each one consider others as occupying a higher position than himself. ⁴Let each one be concerned not only about his own interests, but also about the interests of others. ⁵Have this mind in you that was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶existing in the form of God, he did not regard his being on an equality with God as a thing to be exploited; ⁷on the contrary, he emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. Being found as a man in appearance, ⁸he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death, even death on the cross. Phil. 2:3-8

Conclusion←⤒🔗

We must take the example of Christ our Savior as our model to instruct us in our everyday conduct. Like the Apostle Paul, and like the little girl named Jane, let us be sure to imitate Christ, rather than only thinking of how we may please and satisfy ourselves.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. How does the freedom the Christian has in Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 10:23) compare with the legalistic bondage men impose upon their lives? Note Col. 2:20b-21. What sort of legalistic, extra-biblical, requirements have at times been imposed upon your life; do you unnecessarily impose any such requirements upon yourself?

Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. 1 Cor. 10:23

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—^21'Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle' ... Col. 2:20-21

2. What is the intended purpose of such legalistic requirements; what did Eve hope to accomplish when she added such a requirement to the law of God? See Gen. 3:1-3/Gen. 2:16-17. What does Paul say about the value of such things? See Col. 2:23,

And [the serpent] said to the woman, Indeed, has God said, You shall not eat from any tree of the garden? ²And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³but concerning the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, or else you will die. Gen. 3:1-3

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, From every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ¹⁷but you shall not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. Gen. 2:16-17

These are matters that do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. Col. 2:23

3. At the other extreme, by giving the church the principle, “everything is permissible,” is the Apostle Paul abolishing the moral law of God, is it no longer applicable to the Christian’s life? See Matt. 5:17; Rom. 8:3-4. If the purpose of redemption is conformity to the moral law of God, but legalism is of no help to that end, what is the means toward the ultimate realization of God’s purpose? Note 2 Cor. 5:17 and 2 Cor. 3:18,

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. Matt. 5:17

...God...by sending His own Son...condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us... Rom. 8:3-4

...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Cor. 5:17

...we all...beholding...the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory...by the Spirit of the Lord2 Cor. 3:18

4. As applied to the use of Christian liberty, what two qualifications does Paul add to the principle, “everything is permissible”? See 1 Cor. 10:23. In your use of Christian liberty, do you abide by these qualifications; do you avoid a use of that liberty that may be detrimental, or even dangerous, to your own spiritual life or that of a Christian brother? When confronted with a questionable use of that liberty, do you pause to pray, or do you carelessly, even selfishly, proceed?

Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.1 Cor. 10:23

5. How does Paul now apply the principle and its qualifications (cf. 1 Cor. 10:23) to the life of the Corinthian congregation? See 1 Cor. 10:24. What attitudes, with regard to self and others, are evident in his instructions; do you see these same attitudes present in Ephesians 4:28? Is your attitude still self-centered, or is it becoming more Christ-like? Note 1 Cor. 10:33-11:1 and Rom. 15:1-3a,

No one should demand his own rights, but should seek the good of others. 1 Cor. 10:24

He who has been stealing must no longer steal; rather, let him labor, doing honorable work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one who is in need. Eph. 4:28

I try to please everyone in every way; not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of the many, so that they may be saved. ^11:1Follow my example, just as I [follow the example] of Christ. 1 Cor. 10:33-11:1

We...who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ²Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification; ³for even Christ did not please himself... Rom. 15:1-3a