1Cor 10:23-11:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 10:23-11:1: 10:23–11:1 Paul closes the discussion begun in 8:1 with advice about when Christians may eat meat sacrificed to an idol, and when they should not (see study note on 8:1–11:1). His advice reflects the principle of giving up one’s rights out of love (see also 8:13–9:23 ). Summary for 1Cor 10:23-24: 10:23-24 You say: The NLT supplies these words—Paul is probably quoting a popular saying among the Corinthians and clarifying it. • “I am allowed to do anything”: Paul qualifies the assertion of a Christian’s freedom by emphasizing the importance of doing what is most beneficial for others (see 6:12 ; 10:32-33 ; Rom 14:13-15 , 19-21 ; 15:1-2 ; cp. Phil 2:3-4 ).

Summary for 1Cor 10:23-11:1: 10:23–11:1 ^a Paul closes the discussion begun in 8:1 ^b with advice about when Christians may eat meat sacrificed to an idol, and when they should not (see study note on 8:1–11:1). His advice reflects the principle of giving up one’s rights out of love (see also 8:13–9:23 ^c).
Summary for 1Cor 10:23-24: 10:23-24 ^d You say: The NLT supplies these words—Paul is probably quoting a popular saying among the Corinthians and clarifying it.

• “I am allowed to do anything”: Paul qualifies the assertion of a Christian’s freedom by emphasizing the importance of doing what is most beneficial for others (see 6:12 ^e; 10:32-33 ^f; Rom 14:13-15 ^g, 19-21 ^h; 15:1-2 ⁱ; cp. Phil 2:3-4 ^j).
Summary for 1Cor 10:27-29: 10:27-29 ^k When Christians are invited for a meal with an unbeliever, the Christians are free to eat what is set before them unless warned that the meat has been offered to an idol. In that case, the Christian should refrain from eating it out of consideration for the conscience of the other person, who might misinterpret it or be hurt by believing that such eating honors the god to whom the meat has been sacrificed (see 8:7 ^l, 9-10 ^m; cp. Rom 14:13-15 ⁿ, 20-23 ^o).
Summary for 1Cor 10:29-30: 10:29-30 ^p These two questions are difficult to understand in light of 10:28-29a ^q. By placing 10:28-29a ^r in parentheses, the NLT has interpreted these questions as expressing Paul’s own convictions, following on from 10:27 ^s.
Summary for 1Cor 10:31-33: 10:31-33 ^t Paul concludes his discussion by summarizing the two principles that are to guide Christian behavior in issues like this: (1) Believers are to do everything for the glory of God (see Col 3:17 ^u; 1 Pet 4:11 ^v); (2) believers are not to give offense and should avoid doing anything that would harm another person’s Christian faith (cp. 1 Cor 8:9 ^w, 13 ^x; 1 Jn 2:10 ^y). Christians’ behavior is to be guided by what is best for others rather than by personal privilege (cp. Rom 14:13-15 ^z, 19-21 ^aa; 15:1-2 ^ab). These two basic principles lie at the heart of Paul’s advice on practical Christian living in this letter.

‏ 1 Corinthians 11:1

11:1 ^ac imitate me: Cp. 4:16 ^ad; Phil 3:17 ^ae.