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Scott's Reference Library
1 Corinthians 10:14 through 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
14Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15I speak to sensible people;
judge for yourselves what I say. 16Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we
give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we
break a participation in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one loaf, we,
who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.
18Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate
in the altar? 19Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything,
or that an idol is anything? 20No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to
demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21You
cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a
part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22Are we trying to arouse
the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
23“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is
permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 24Nobody 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 everything in it.”
27If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is
put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28But if anyone says to
you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake
of the man who told you and for conscience’ sake—29the other man’s conscience,
I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience?
30If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of
something I thank God for?
31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of
God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of
God—33even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my
own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 11:1Follow my example,
as I follow the example of Christ.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 6-14
Carnal desires gain strength by indulgence, therefore should be checked in their
first rise. Let us fear the sins of Israel, if we would shun their plagues. And
it is but just to fear, that such as tempt Christ, will be left by him in the
power of the old serpent. Murmuring against God’s disposals and commands,
greatly provokes him. Nothing in Scripture is written in vain; and it is our
wisdom and duty to learn from it. Others have fallen, and so may we. The
Christian’s security against sin is distrust of himself. God has not promised to
keep us from falling, if we do not look to ourselves. To this word of caution, a
word of comfort is added. Others have the like burdens, and the like
temptations: what they bear up under, and break through, we may also. God is
wise as well as faithful, and will make our burdens according to our strength.
He knows what we can bear. He will make a way to escape; he will deliver either
from the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. We have full
encouragement to flee from sin, and to be faithful to God. We cannot fall by
temptation, if we cleave fast to him. Whether the world smiles or frowns, it is
an enemy; but believers shall be strengthened to overcome it, with all its
terrors and enticements. The fear of the Lord, put into their hearts, will be
the great means of safety.
VERSES 15-22
Did not the joining in the Lord’s supper show a profession of faith in Christ
crucified, and of adoring gratitude to him for his salvation? Christians, by
this ordinance, and the faith therein professed, were united as the grains of
wheat in one loaf of bread, or as the members in the human body, seeing they
were all united to Christ, and had fellowship with him and one another. This is
confirmed from the Jewish worship and customs in sacrifice. The apostle applies
this to feasting with idolaters. Eating food as part of a heathen sacrifice, was
worshipping the idol to whom it was made, and having fellowship or communion
with it; just as he who eats the Lord’s supper, is accounted to partake in the
Christian sacrifice, or as they who ate the Jewish sacrifices partook of what
was offered on their altar. It was denying Christianity; for communion with
Christ, and communion with devils, could never be had at once. If Christians
venture into places, and join in sacrifices to the lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eye, and the pride of life, they will provoke God.
VERSES 23-33
There were cases wherein Christians might eat what had been offered to idols,
without sin. Such as when the flesh was sold in the market as common food, for
the priest to whom it had been given. But a Christian must not merely consider
what is lawful, but what is expedient, and to edify others. Christianity by no
means forbids the common offices of kindness, or allows uncourteous behaviour to
any, however they may differ from us in religious sentiments or practices. But
this is not to be understood of religious festivals, partaking in idolatrous
worship. According to this advice of the apostle, Christians should take care
not to use their liberty to the hurt of others, or to their own reproach. In
eating and drinking, and in all we do, we should aim at the glory of God, at
pleasing and honouring him. This is the great end of all religion, and directs
us where express rules are wanting. A holy, peaceable, and benevolent spirit,
will disarm the greatest enemies.
VERSE 1
The first verse of this chapter seems properly to be the close to the last. The
apostle not only preached such doctrine as they ought to believe, but led such a
life as they ought to live. Yet Christ being our perfect example, the actions
and conduct of men, as related in the Scriptures, should be followed only so far
as they are like to his.