teaching notes : 1 cor. 10:14 - 11:1
theme : idolatry
Two Principles Discussed
Some things are absolutely not allowed (idolatry)
Some things depend on the circumstance (but have absolute principles; meat)
and a summary at the end (10:31-11:1)
1. v14-22 blatant idolatry condemned
- some things are blatantly wrong; worshipping idols is against the rules, regardless of intent.
two possible errors in ethics (at corinth? this is guesswork)
- actions don't matter, intent does
- actions matter, intent doesn't
paul says :
- some things are always wrong (adultery, chp 5, direct idol worship)
v16-17 if communion is significant, wouldn't communion with idols be significant too?
v18 if sacrifice was important in the ot, wouldn't that indicate that sacrifice is important?
v19-20 idols are nothing (not gods), but that doesn't mean that it isn't demonic.
paul shows the importance of matter (the material world) in the old testament (v18) and in the new testament (v21)
our religion lends importance to the material world; it is not to be denied completely (asceticism) nor to be used without bounds (antinomianism) (this point is extrapolated, but is emphasized in many nt passages...)

- some things are not wrong, but your intent can make them wrong (meat to idols)
what does this mean?
- you can't justify any action through 'situational ethics'
- no idolatry
- no sex with your neighbor's wife
- no coveteousness
etc...
- this is the easiest and most basic part of christian ethics; 'abstain from evil'

2. v23-30 rules for action
- v24 let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor
guiding principle...the opposite of selfishness
this principle is the key to unity...
note how core this is to christianity
matthew 22:36-40 - jesus on the greatest commandment
phil 2:3
eph 4:2
our lives should boil down to this principle

- v25-30 eat anything sold without asking questions
(rom 14:23 anything not done of faith is sin)
- v26 the earth is the lords and all that is in it
- v27 eat without asking so as not to offend others (ignorance means intent isn't an issue)
- v28 don't eat if someone is making a point to include you in idol worship
is this a believer or an unbeliever?

notice the ethical leeway he gives here
- there is often a temptation among 'serious' christians to turn everything into an absolute (e.g. fundamentalist ethics)
- we should be comfortable to gauge our actions by the circumstances

3. v31-33 summary principles
- v31 whatever you do, do it all to the glory of god.
- v32 give no offense to jews or greeks or the church of god
- evangelism (jews / greeks)
- encouragement / fellowship (the church of god)
rom 12:18 - "be at peace with all men"

- v33 seek 'the profit of many that they many be saved'
- v1 imitate me as i imitate christ