By Sam Nobles
In chapter 10, Paul his discussion
about things offered to idols to an end. The Apostle reminds the Corinthian
church about the danger of idolatry and apostasy by using Israel’s history as
an example (v.1-14). “When Israel
sinned, God disciplined them; and he will do the same to his people today.”i There is so much freedom in
following Christ Jesus, but the freedom to sin is not part of that. If a person
insists on flaunting their Christian freedom, causing another brother or sister
in Christ to stumble, their actions will bring more trouble upon themselves
then they realize.
As a rebuke to the sort of
practice alluded to in chapter 8, where some at the church in Corinth thought
nothing of eating meat sacrificed to idols – even in that idol's temple! Paul
goes on to describe the communal consequences of religious feasts and warns
against provoking the Lord to jealousy by having fellowship with demons
(v.15-22). It is important to see that Paul is in no way implying that what is
offered to idols changes its character or quality nor is he saying that an idol
is real, that it hears, sees, or has power. What the Apostle is emphasizing is
that the things which are being offered, are indeed being offered to demons.
“In some strange and mysterious way, idol worship is linked with demons. Using
the idols, the demons control the hearts and minds of those who worship them.”ii
Paul ends this discussion by giving specific
instructions about the meat that was later sold in the market place and offered
at a dinner of which a Christian might be invited to partake. Living your life
to glorify God, and looking out for the wellbeing of others allows one to know
what to do when the time arises. Paul pushes the point that extremes must be
avoided: “practicing license in the name of Christian freedom, and being so
fussy that we cannot live in a real world and make rational decisions.”iii
(v. 22-33)
[1] Warren
W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, New edition (David C. Cook, 2010).
[1] William
MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Second Edition, ed. Arthur L.
Farstad, 2nd ed. edition (Thomas Nelson, 2016).
[1] Wiersbe,
Be Wise.
Scripture to Claim:
“So, whether you eat or drink,
or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians
10:31 ESV)
