Questionable Things
(1 Corinthians 10:16-33)
In this passage Paul is discussing the subject of eating meat that has been sacrificed unto idols. Whereas this may not be something we face today there are many questionable things that we must decide whether or not we should be a part of. By questionable things we mean things that the word of God doesn’t point blank say are right or wrong.
As we will see in Paul’s advice to the Corinthians sometimes it will not be about whether something is right or wrong but whether it edifies or offends someone. Let us look at Paul’s words to the Corinthians and see if we can find something that will help us in the matter of questionable things.
Paul’s advice to the Corinthians :
1) Even though it may be ok to do something it may not be expedient or edifying (verse 23)
- The word expedient means fit for the purpose or proper under the circumstances. Therefore something could be ok to do but not proper under certain circumstances.
- The word edifying means to build up. Some could be ok for you to do but it might hurt someone who sees you do that does not understand it is ok to do it.
- From this verse we see that it is not just important that something is ok, but we must ask ourselves if it is expedient and edifying.
2) When making a decision to do something we must consider the conscience of others (verses 24,28,32)
- Paul gives the example that if you go to a feast and meat is set before you do ask just eat it. But if you are told that it was meat that was sacrificed to an idol then don’t eat it.
- This was done for the conscience of the one who told you.
- Sometimes lost people or even other saved people will not understand that something is ok if possible to do it in front of them or that will be against their conscience and a bad testimony to them.
3) Whatever we do should be able to be done to the glory of God (verse 31)
- This verse alone is a great verse for handling anything that is questionable. If we cannot do something to the glory of God then it should simply not be done.
- This will help us considerably throughout our lives if we could just simply follow this principle.
In verse 33 we see the goal in these matters. For Paul it was so that others might get saved. We can use this same goal in the matter of questionable things.
Questionable Things : (1 Corinthians 10:16-33)
Handout
1) What is the context of the passage for this study?
2) What are some examples for us today concerning questionable things?
3) What was Paul’s advice to the Corinthians concerning these matters?
4) What is the goal of following this advice?