1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Seek the Good of Others
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
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 ends with his own pattern: imitate him as he seeks not his own advantage but the advantage of many.
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
Before asking whether you may do something, ask whom it will build up or burden. Freedom grows mature when it notices the person nearby instead of insisting on the last word.
Set aside a preference when doing so serves love, but do not turn your restraint into a weapon that controls everyone else's conscience. Both freedom and sacrifice need humility.
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.