1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Seek the Good of Others

Read the passage

23“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.

24No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.

25Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,

26for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

27If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat anything set before you without raising questions of conscience.

28But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—

29the other one’s conscience, I mean, not your own. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience?

30If I partake in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

32Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—

33as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

Paul repeats the Corinthians' slogan that everything is permissible, then gives two tests: not everything is beneficial, and not everything builds up. Christian freedom is measured by what it produces in people, not merely by whether a rule has technically been broken.

No one should seek his own good, but the good of others. Paul applies this to meat sold in the market. Believers may eat what is sold without raising questions of conscience, because the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. A private meal does not need to become a theological investigation every time.

If an unbeliever invites a Christian to a meal and the believer chooses to go, Paul says to eat what is set before them without raising questions. But if someone says the food was offered in sacrifice, the believer should not eat for the sake of the person who informed them and for conscience's sake. The choice is shaped by the other person's understanding, not by fear that food has magical contamination.

Paul asks why his freedom should be judged by someone else's conscience. He is not telling the sensitive person to become the ruler of everyone's life. He is saying that public freedom may need to be set aside when using it would communicate participation in idolatry or damage a relationship.

Whether eating, drinking, or doing anything else, believers should do all to the glory of God. They should give no unnecessary offense to Jews, Greeks, or the church, seeking the good of many so that they may be saved. Paul offers his own pattern of seeking others’ salvation; in the next verse he calls them to imitate him as he imitates Christ.

Questions

1 What tests does Paul give for permissible actions?

AnswerAn action should be evaluated by whether it is beneficial and builds people up, not merely by whether it is technically allowed.

2 What may believers eat at the market?

AnswerThey may eat what is sold without raising conscience questions, because the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.

3 When should a believer decline food at a meal?

AnswerThe believer should decline when its sacrificial association is made explicit and eating would harm the other person's conscience or witness.

4 What should guide everything believers do?

AnswerThey should do everything for God's glory, seeking the good of many rather than their own advantage.

What This Means for Us

An invitation from someone who does not share your faith can be received with gratitude. Paul does not ask Christians to turn ordinary hospitality into a search for reasons to be suspicious. Enjoy the meal and show care for your host.

If a situation would make your participation seem like approval of worship contrary to Christ, explain your choice kindly and decline that part. You need not insult the person or surrender your allegiance. The aim is to honor God while seeking the other person's good and leaving room for them to hear the gospel.

Prayer

God of glory, teach us to use freedom for the good of others. Make us thoughtful at shared tables, careful with conscience, and willing to give up an advantage when love requires it. Amen.

Your reading

Keep your place.

Save this passage to your private reading history.