In 1 Corinthians Chapter 10, Paul began by talking about the many great things God did in ancient days. He mentioned Exodus specifically with examples like God leading His people out of Egypt, giving them water and manna in the desert, and dividing the Red Sea for them to cross. Paul said the people repaid God by sinning against Him.
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God’s Forgiveness
The people of Israel did bizarre sexual things, tested God, and complained constantly. They even bowed down before idols and disregarded God. God still forgave them. However, Paul said, all this happened as warning for future generations.
Paul Discusses Mealtime Practices
Paul began a discussion in 1 Corinthians Chapter 10 about eating practices. He said that when Christians gathered and shared wine and bread, they are symbolizing their special bond with God. This was also true for the Jews who ate kosher meats that were sacrificed in the temples.
Eating Pagan Meats
Paul said that even though you are not forming any type of special bonds with the Roman gods when eating their pagan meat, you may be making friends with evil by mistake.
The Roman gods were not really gods. He said they were more like demons. By feasting on some drinks and foods from their pagan temples, you make God jealous. According to Paul, you cannot have double standards where you are drinking Christ’s blood one day and the next you are drinking from the cup of a demon. He said to simply reject pagan meals altogether.
Paul Warns against Selfishness
In regards to eating pagan meats, Paul stated that just because something was permitted to do does not mean that it is a good idea. Although a person may be fine eating the sacrificial food, it might bother other Christians who see them doing it.
As a Christian, Paul said that you should always think about other people’s feelings. He went on to say that if you are truly trying to please God, you would not do things that could be hurtful to your fellow Christians.
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1 Corinthians 10 (King James Version)
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:
29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?
30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.