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4000 E. Collins
Rd. “Preaching the Living
Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)” |
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CHRISTIAN
LIBERTY AND ANSWERS TO EATING MEAT SACRIFICED TO IDOLS 1Co
10:14-33 (10/19/11) Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I.
FLEE
IDOLATRY (14-15) A. After Paul had given examples of Israel
abusing its freedoms and reaping the consequences, he now exhorts the church
at Corinth to flee idolatry (14-15), to not be identified with idolatry
(16-18), to understand the demonic influence behind idolatry (19-22), to
remember the previous principles (23-24), and apply biblical principles for the
issue of meat sacrificed to idols (25-30). B. Such idolatry was a major influence in
Israel’s failure (Exo 32:1, 6 cp. 1Co 10:7; 2Ki 17:12). Therefore they were
to “flee” (pheu,gō
- run away, escape, Eng. “fugitive”) any and all idolatry, no matter what form it came in. He was
speaking in direct reference to their issue of eating meat sacrificed to
idols. C. He was speaking to them giving them the
benefit of the doubt that they would be spiritual enough to “judge” (krinō - decide) that his words
were correct (15). II. DO NOT BE IDENTIFIED WITH IDOLATRY
(16-18) A. The “cup of blessing” was a technical term for the third cup during the Jewish
Passover (16). It was parallel to the cup that Jesus gave His disciples and
said, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood
of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.” (Mat 26:27-28). Christians
have been instructed to partake of this ordinance from the Lord, through
which they share both the body and blood of Christ. B. All believers partake of the
symbol of the Lord’s Supper and in this symbol they are identified with
Christ and each other (17). C. Paul even referred to the
sacrifices of the OT (Lev 7:15; 8:31;
Deu 12:17, 18) and
that those who brought them and those who ate them were identified together
with the One to whom they were sacrificed (18). III. UNDERSTAND THE DEMONIC INFLUENCE BEHIND
IDOLATRY (19-22) A. Paul explains what he means by first
explaining what he does not mean. Is the idol itself anything or is that
which is sacrificed to the idol anything (19)? The answer to his rhetorical
question is “no.” B. However, the very things that the pagans
sacrifice to idols are in reality being sacrificed to demons (20). The
worshipper “becomes a sharer” (koinonos from koinos - to have something in common or
share or partake in)
with that demonic activity. Paul does not want any Christian to become
identified and participate with demons. The idols themselves had no power but
demonic activity surrounded the worship of idols (Deu 32:17; Psa 106:37). C. It is contradictory for any Christian to
drink of the cup of the Lord and also at the same time drink of the cup of
demons (or “table”, both refer to worship). In other words, a believer could
not worship the Lord and also worship in pagan temples or be involved in idol
sacrifices (21). D. Such behavior would incur the jealousy
of the Lord who takes spiritual adultery very seriously (Deut. 32:21; Jer. 25:6, 9; Rev. 21:8; cf. 11:30). Did perhaps the “strong” (ischuros - mighty and powerful) Corinthians (cp. 1Co 4:10) believe
they were stronger (play on words - ischuros) than God? No believer
is stronger than God and would not go unpunished (22). IV. REMEMBER THE PREVIOUS PRINCIPLES (23-24) A. Paul has stated this principle before
(1Co 6:12), but now having explained it, drives the point home. Though all
things are lawful for the Christian, there are other criteria that take
precedence over a believer’s freedom. The question that is asked is, “Is this
particular activity “profitable” (sumphero - lit. brought together and become beneficial
and expedient)?” In
other words, in the end did it benefit the good of myself or other
Christians? In 1Co 6:12 Paul finished the phrase with, “I will not be mastered by
anything,” but here, “not all
things edifies.” The question could be asked, “Does this activity “edify”
myself or others?” “Edify” (oikodome,ō) literally means to build a
house, but in this case it is the body of believers that we are to build up
in a spiritual sense through the Word of God (Rom 14:19; 15:2; 1Co 8:1; Eph
4:12; 1Th 5:11). B. The
church in Corinth was very aggressive in seeking its own good. However, Paul
asks them to continuously seek the good of their neighbor. That good would be
in a spiritual sense to help them grow in Christ V. APPLY BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE ISSUE
OF MEAT SACRIFICED TO IDOLS (25-30) A. Paul will now give them biblical wisdom
and solutions using the above principles to answer the question whether or
not a believer can eat meat sacrificed to idols: 1. YES,
as far as buying or eating sacrificed meat from the market, in which case it
was probably unavoidable, they were able to do so “without asking questions”
so as not to stir up the conscience (25). In other words, since there are no
such things as idols (1Co 8:4) or no inherent power in idols, meat sacrificed
to idols does not become inherently evil or demonic. In fact, Paul quotes Psa
24:1 to prove that everything in the earth was created by God and was to be
enjoyed by His creation within the bounds which God has placed upon them
(26). 2. MAYBE,
as far as being invited to an unbeliever’s home. A believer could eat
anything without asking questions for conscience sake (27). That is unless a
weaker brother was there and began to ask questions. 3. NO,
believers were not to eat meat sacrificed to idols if a weaker Christian
brother began to ask questions because it bothered his conscience. In that
case, the stronger believer was not to eat so that he would not offend his
brother’s conscience (28). a) Note: If the weaker brother was not
present, the stronger brother did not need to refrain from eating meat
sacrificed to idols. Paul argues that a believer’s freedom is not limited
(“judged”) unless a weaker brother is present (29). b) In fact, Paul says that if our
conscience is not violated, we are thankful for what God has provided, and a
weaker brother is not present, there is no need for guilt or slander (30) VI. OVERALL PRINCIPLES ON CHRISTIAN FREEDOM
(31-33) A. Therefore the Christian does have
freedom, but it can be limited and should have biblical prerequisites to
judge his freedom. The main principle is to glorify God, whether we are
eating or drinking (31). To “glorify” (doxa,
Eng. doxology) is to bring glory, honor, and praise to His person and
work through our lives and testimonies as we name the name of Christ. B. The believer is to seek to offend no
one, whether Jew, Gentile, or a brother in the Lord (32). “To “offend” (aproskopos) is to not cause someone to stumble or
have their consciences violated. This would apply to unbelievers, but
especially believers C. Furthermore, the believer is to, like
Paul, seek to please all men. If unbelievers are offended, let it be at the
message of God’s loving redemption in Christ, not our attitudes or actions.
All of this is to be done with the purpose of bringing them to salvation
(33). VII. SUMMATION OF BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES ON
CHRISTIAN FREEDOM A.
Is this
activity a clear violation in Scripture (Psa 119:11; Jam 2:10) B.
Do I have faith
and knowledge on this activity (1Co 8:1-4)? C.
Am I fully
convinced about this activity (Ro 14:5, 22-23)? D. Is it profitable for myself or others (1Co 6:12a;
10:23a)? E. Am I only pleasing myself (Ro 15:1-3)? F. Will this be offensive to others (1Co 10:32)? G.
Will it enslave
me (1Co 6:12b)? H.
Can I do this
activity unto the Lord (Ro 14:6-9)? I.
Will it cause
another brother to stumble (Ro 14:13, 21; 1Co 8:13)? J.
Am I walking in
love in regard to this activity (Ro 14:14-16)? K.
Does it edify
my brother (Ro 15:2; 1Co 10:23b)? L. Does it bring peace among the brethren (Ro 14:19;
Col 3:15)? M.
Does it help
evangelize the lost (1Co 10:33)? N. Does it bring glory to God (Ro 15:6-7; 1Co 10:31)? O. Will it stand the test of the Bema Seat (Ro
14:10-12)? |
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