Greetings!
Here’s a summary of the Bible study on March 30. It’s longer than usual, and I’ve also added an Addendum for those interested.
Eating Right (1 Corinthians 10:1-11:1)
The Bible clearly teaches that the God of the Bible is the one true God of the universe. “The LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:39) He is the Creator of the universe. He is the Giver of life. He is the Source of all blessing. He alone is truly God, and He alone deserves our worship.
In the “Ten Commandments,” God said, “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…” (Exodus 20:3-5). The Bible consistently warns us about worshiping false gods and idols.
What are Idols?
An “idol” is an object or image that represents a god or spirit. “Idolatry” is the practice of worshiping idols. Throughout human history, people have practiced idolatry. In the temples of ancient Corinth, they had statues that represented the gods. Idols were also found in homes. These idols represented spirits that protected the home, and families would worship them.
It should be noted that idols are not necessarily physical objects or images. Anything that displaces the one true God’s rightful place in our lives can be called an idol. Thus many things can become “idols” in our lives.
Food Sacrificed to Idols
The practice of idolatry often involved the offering of meat or food, which was later eaten. The food may be eaten by the worshipers, or served to others, or sold in the marketplace. Since this food was associated with idolatry, which the Bible clearly prohibits, eating it was a controversial issue for the Christians in the Corinth. (It’s still a controversial issue among Christians today.)
Thus, Paul addressed the subject of eating food sacrificed to idols in his letter to the Corinthians. What did he say? We started talking about this subject on March 16 when we studied 1 Corinthians 8. This summary will focus on 1 Corinthians 10.
Lessons from Israel’s History (10:1-11)
Before addressing the Corinthian situation, Paul briefly reviewed a period of Israel’s history. Paul referred to the Israelites’ forty years in the wilderness – the time between their “exodus” from slavery in Egypt and their entrance to “the promised land.” During this time, the Israelites experienced many trials and temptations, and “most of them” failed to please God (10:5).
Paul wrote, “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did” (10:6). In some ways, the Christian life is similar to Israel’s forty years in the wilderness. Christians have been set free from slavery to sin and death by the Passover lamb, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7), but we are not yet in the ultimate “promised land” (our final heavenly home). In the meantime, we face many trials and temptations.
Paul sternly warned the Corinthians, and he warns us, “Do not be idolaters, as some of [the Israelites] were” (10:7). Whatever Christians may think about eating food sacrificed to idols, the Bible is clear about idolatry. Do not be idolaters! Do not worship idols!
Warning & Encouragement (10:12-13)
Paul said, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (10:12). Some of the Christians in Corinth were “puffed up” (inflated with pride) and overconfident in their spiritual standing. But they better be careful! As the saying goes, “Pride comes before a fall.”
This applies to us today. As Christians, we may think we are stronger or more spiritual than we really are. We may confidently wade into waters of temptation or moral pollution, ignoring the warnings of Scripture and Christian friends, and then find ourselves being swept away. We must be humble, wise, and careful.
At the same time, we should not be afraid or discouraged. It’s good to be confident, if our confidence is based in God. Temptations will come, but “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (10:13). This is a verse to be memorized.
The Corinthians lived in a culture filled with idol worship and the worship of false gods and spirits, and it was difficult for them to avoid eating food sacrificed to idols. They (like we) needed Paul’s warning and encouragement.
So What about the Food? (10:14-22)
First, Paul emphasizes, “Flee (run away from) idolatry” (10:14). This much is very clear!
And then Paul appealed to their good sense. When Christians observe the Lord’s Supper, they “participate” in Christ’s body (10:16-17). When the Israelites ate sacrifices from the altar, they participated together in the worship of God. While Paul certainly knows “idols are nothing” (8:4; 10:19-20), “the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God” (10:20).
The gods or spirits represented by idols are not real, and have no real power. However, demons are real, and harmful! Demons are evil supernatural spirits who oppose the worship of the one true God. When people worship and make sacrifices to idols or false gods, the demons’ purposes are served. Sacrificing food to idols is pleasing to demons. It’s dangerous.
So what does Paul say about eating idol food in a temple or other religious setting? Don’t do it. In such cases, the person who eats (or drinks) becomes a participant with demons, which is not compatible with the Christian’s participation (sharing, fellowship) with Christ.
Paul’s instruction is clear in the religious setting, but what about other situations?
The Believer’s Freedom (10:23-30)
The Corinthian Christians thought, “I have the right to do anything” (10:23). Of course, they knew some things were clearly wrong, like worshiping idols. But other things were “gray areas” – not clearly right or wrong in themselves. If the Bible does not clearly prohibit some activity, Christians are free to do it, right?
After Paul quoted the Corinthian slogan “I have the right to do anything,” he said, “but not everything is beneficial… not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others” (10:23-24). As Paul said in chapters 8-9, loving others is more important than exercising our rights.
So how does this apply to eating idol food outside religious settings? Paul provided rules for Christian conduct by presenting two common situations – food sold at a meat market, and food served at the home of an unbeliever. In general, Christians are free to eat anything without raising questions of conscience (10:25, 27).
However, if someone says, “This food has been sacrificed to idols,” then don’t eat it. Why? Paul said, “for the [conscience] sake of the one who told you” (10:28-29). Assuming this person is an unbeliever, this may refer to his or her expectation concerning Christian behavior. Again, the main concern is how it affects or influences others.
The Bottom Line (10:31-11:1)
Paul sums it up nicely at the end of chapter 10. Proper Christian behavior should consider our vertical and horizontal relationships. Our vertical relationship is our relationship with God. Paul said, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (10:31).
Doing things “for the glory of God” means we live in a way that reflects and honors Him. We want to reflect God’s righteousness, love and grace in all of our activities.
Our horizontal relationships are our relationships with other people, including believers and unbelievers. Paul said, “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God” (10:32). Paul set an example for us, as he followed the example of Christ. Paul did not seek his own good, but the good of many, so that they may be saved (10:33-11:1).
Application to Our Lives Today
Brothers & sisters, can you say you do all things for the glory of God? Do you seek the good of many, not just your own good? Is your behavior a positive or negative influence on others? Does your behavior help non-Christians see the difference of the Christian faith, without causing unnecessary offense because of self-righteousness, unnecessary separation, ungraciousness, etc.? These are things to think about.
Many of us have not been directly faced with “food sacrificed to idols,” but others have. This Sunday morning, I heard stories from South Asia and Africa. Over the years, many ICFers from East Asia have shared their stories related to ancestor worship or veneration.
The principles of this lesson can be extended to other situations, like attending events that involve activities incompatible with Christian morals. (See the “Addendum” below.)
If you are not a Christian, what stands out to you in this lesson? What questions do you have? I encourage you to seek to know why Christians are instructed to live in this way. I encourage you to seek to know more about Jesus Christ, whose example we are instructed to follow.
Your Servant,
Jay
Application Addendum
For those interested, I have provided additional thoughts below.
Ancestor Worship
Ancestor worship or veneration is a sensitive subject for some of you. Much heartache has resulted from the collision of Christian conviction and cultural/family tradition concerning ancestor practices. Christians have dealt with this matter in different ways. Some have leaned toward accommodation, while others have strongly opposed such practices.
People who practice ancestor rites have differed in their understanding and emphasis. Some emphasize the original "spiritistic" understanding, believing that the spirits of deceased ancestors need attention and offering, and have the power to bless or punish.
Others consider such beliefs to be superstitious, but they still participate in ancestor practices because of tradition and filial piety. For them, the emphasis is more socio-ethical than spiritual. In other words, the important thing is showing love and honor to living parents, and living harmoniously within the family and culture.
There are many distinctions that might be presented, like filial piety vs. religion, veneration vs. worship, and ancestral spirit vs. false god. However, such distinctions are difficult to maintain in practical application (Chuck Lowe, Honoring God and Family: A Christian Response to Idol Food in Chinese Popular Religion).
It should be emphasized that honoring parents is also a biblical value! The same list of commandments that forbids worshiping false gods and idols says, "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12). Respect of ancestors is also consistent with Christian values.
However, since the Bible does not teach that deceased ancestors have interaction with the living, Christians honor the "memory" or "legacy" of deceased ancestors through memorials, taking flowers to gravesites, etc. Some Christians have suggested alternatives or substitutes to particular ancestor rites in order to show honor to parents and ancestors without violating biblical prohibitions concerning worship of idols, false gods, and spirits.
If you are a Christian (or you are thinking about becoming a Christian) and ancestor rites is an issue for you, I encourage you to talk to other Christians who are dealing with this situation. Find out how mature Christians from your own culture have dealt with this subject. I have some resources and references if that would help. Just let me know.
Application Extended
While many of us have not been directly faced with “food sacrificed to idols” or ancestor worship, the principles taught in 1 Corinthians 8-10 can be extended to other areas.
For example, should Christians attend non-Christian religious events, and if so, what should they avoid? Should Christians get involved in yoga classes or other activities associated with non-Christian spiritual elements? Should Christians attend social or entertainment events in which immoral activities are prevalent (for example, bars, wild parties, sexually explicit movies)?
Do the principles in 1 Corinthians 8-10 help us evaluate these situations? (I believe they do.) We can ask questions like: Is God pleased with my activities? Can I do them “for the glory of God?” How do my activities affect others? What dangers might I be facing? As Paul said, "if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Christians face various “gray areas” or “disputable matters” (Romans 14:1). These issues can be complex, culturally and socially, and changing over time. It can be hard to decide what to do. Christians may come to different conclusions on these matters. (They may even disagree about whether or not they are “disputable”!) But don’t be discouraged.
Seek God’s instruction and guidance through His word and by the Spirit. Pray! Be humble and dependent on God, not “puffed up” and valuing your rights over love. Seek the input of mature Christians, knowing they may have different views. Seek to understand the situation, and how it could affect you and others. (If you have questions, feel free to ask me. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I’ll try to help.)
Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Like Paul, follow the example of Christ. Love God with all your being, love others as yourself, and trust God will guide you.