‏ 1 Corinthians 8

Summary for 1Cor 8:1: 8:1–11:1  ^a Paul now addresses the Corinthians’ question about food that has been offered to idols: Throughout the Greco-Roman world, there were temples and shrines dedicated to pagan gods. It was common for worshipers of those gods to offer animal sacrifices, and the excess meat was then sold in the market by pagan priests. The question inevitably arose as to whether Christians were free to eat such meat. Is meat taken from an animal that has been sacrificed to a pagan god inherently defiled? Paul makes no mention here of the prohibition made by the Jewish Christian leaders in Acts 15:20  ^b, 29  ^c but emphasizes that one’s actions must be governed, above all, by loving consideration of others. After introducing the topic (1 Cor 8:1-13  ^d), he provides several illustrations of the principle of giving up one’s rights for the sake of others (9:1-27  ^e) and then gives his advice on three specific situations in which believers faced this issue. 8:1  ^f “We all have knowledge” was apparently a common saying of the Corinthian Christians. The knowledge in question is religious knowledge, paraded by certain Christians who might have felt their superior understanding made them unaccountable to the opinions of others.
Summary for 1Cor 8:2-3: 8:2-3  ^g It is those who truly love God—not just those who know all the answers—who are acknowledged by God as his own (see 13:12  ^h; Gal 4:9  ⁱ).
Summary for 1Cor 8:4-6: 8:4-6  ^j In reality, the idols to which such meat is sacrificed are not gods, for there is only one God (Deut 6:4  ^k; cp. Deut 4:35  ^l, 39  ^m; 10:19-20  ⁿ). He is the Creator of everything, including the meat in question. The only ultimate reality is God, the Father, and the one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created (cp. John 1:3  ^o; Col 1:16  ^p; Heb 1:2  ^q).
8:7  ^r Many of the Corinthian believers, having grown up in the pagan world, viewed eating such meat as an expression of devotion to the god to whom the meat had been sacrificed. For such Christians, to eat meat presented to an idol would violate their weak consciences (see 8:10-12  ^s; 10:28-29  ^t; Rom 14:13-23  ^u).
8:8  ^v The Corinthians’ relationship with the living God was not affected by eating or not eating, whatever the source of the food (cp. Rom 14:17  ^w).
Summary for 1Cor 8:9-10: 8:9-10  ^x Believers must be careful that what they do (such as eating sacrificial meat) does not cause others ... to stumble (cp. Rom 14:13  ^y, 20-21  ^z; Gal 5:13  ^aa).
8:11  ^ab For believers to insist on eating food offered to idols—because their superior knowledge assured them that they are free to eat such food—could destroy less mature Christians (who understood eating this meat as an expression of worship of pagan gods).

• for whom Christ died: Cp. Rom 14:15  ^ac.
8:12  ^ad To make immature believers sin by violating their conscience is the same as sinning against Christ, who has claimed them for himself (cp. Matt 25:40  ^ae, 45  ^af).
8:13  ^ag Personal rights must be subordinated to the larger commitment not to cause another believer to stumble.

‏ 1 Corinthians 9

Summary for 1Cor 9:1-27: 9:1-27  ^ah Continuing the argument begun in 8:1  ^ai (see study note on 8:1–11:1), Paul cites personal examples of his giving up his own rights for the sake of other people.
Summary for 1Cor 9:1-2: 9:1-2  ^aj These four rhetorical questions each expect a positive answer. The first, following his discussion in 8:1-13  ^ak, is an assertion of Paul’s freedom from Jewish ritual obligations—though, as he later emphasizes (see 9:19-23  ^al), he freely accommodates himself to the practices of Jews in his desire to win them to Christ. The other three rhetorical questions are assertions of Paul’s apostolic authority, which was apparently being questioned by some in Corinth.

• For those who might be skeptical, the reality of Paul’s apostolic calling was verified by his firsthand encounter with Jesus our Lord on the road to Damascus (see 15:8  ^am; Acts 9:3-6  ^an, 17  ^ao). Also, the Corinthians themselves, who came to faith through Paul’s evangelism (see Acts 18:1-11  ^ap), were proof (literally the seal) of his status as an apostle.
9:3  ^aq my answer (literally my defense): This is a legal term for the argument made in response to accusations.

• those who question my authority: See 2 Cor 11–12  ^ar for another response to their challenge.
9:4  ^as As an apostle, Paul had the right to expect food and housing from those to whom he ministered (cp. 9:14  ^at; Luke 10:7-8  ^au). Nevertheless, to avoid any possible criticism, he did not take advantage of this privilege (see 9:6  ^av, 12  ^aw, 14-15  ^ax, 18  ^ay; 2 Cor 11:7-9  ^az; 12:13-14  ^ba).
9:5  ^bb the Lord’s brothers: See Mark 6:3  ^bc for their names.

• Peter: Mark 1:30  ^bd also speaks of Peter as married.
Summary for 1Cor 9:7-10: 9:7-10  ^be These examples support Paul’s point that he and other Christian workers had a right to be supported by those they served.
9:12  ^bf Compared with other Christian workers supported by the Corinthians, Paul claimed an even greater right to be supported by them, because he was the one who first brought the Good News to them. But to avoid criticism, he had never used this right (see 9:6  ^bg, 14-15  ^bh, 18  ^bi; cp. Acts 18:3  ^bj; 2 Cor 11:7-9  ^bk; 12:13-14  ^bl).
9:13  ^bm Paul might be referring to Levites and priests at God’s temple in Jerusalem (see Deut 18:1-4  ^bn; cp. Lev 6:16-17  ^bo, 26  ^bp; Num 18:8-32  ^bq), but the pagan priests in temples around Corinth would have done similarly.
9:14  ^br the Lord ordered: See Matt 10:10  ^bs; Luke 10:7  ^bt; see also Gal 6:6  ^bu; 1 Tim 5:17-18  ^bv.
9:15  ^bw Paul had never pressed his rights, nor was he now seeking to do so. Rather, he was illustrating the importance of giving up one’s rights for the sake of others (cp. 8:13  ^bx).
9:16  ^by compelled by God to do it: Acts 22:14-15  ^bz; 26:16-18  ^ca.
9:18  ^cb Paul’s satisfaction came from preaching the Good News without charging anyone. This is another example of the way Christians must be willing to give up their rights out of consideration for others (cp. 8:13  ^cc).
Summary for 1Cor 9:19-23: 9:19-23  ^cd Paul places himself in the position of a slave in the household. He shows how far he was willing to go in adjusting his lifestyle and behavior to that of the people to whom he was preaching in order to win them to Christ.
Summary for 1Cor 9:24-27: 9:24-27  ^ce To illustrate how seriously the Corinthians must take the discipline of their salvation, Paul alludes to the familiar Isthmian games, an athletic competition held every two years in Corinth.

• All athletes are disciplined: Strict self-discipline is required for athletes competing for a prize. In Paul’s day, athletes endured months of rigorous training before competing. In the same way, strict self-discipline (cp. Gal 5:22-23  ^cf) is required if a person is to gain the eternal prize of salvation. Christians must submit to the daily discipline of obeying Christ.

• a prize that will fade away: Athletic prizes were often wreaths made out of laurel leaves (cp. 2 Tim 4:8  ^cg; Jas 1:12  ^ch; 1 Pet 5:4  ^ci; Rev 2:10  ^cj).
9:26  ^ck I am not just shadowboxing: Christians must engage in the real contest of obedience to Christ rather than merely going through the motions.
9:27  ^cl I fear that ... I myself might be disqualified: Those who are disqualified from a sporting event have no hope of winning the prize. To avoid losing the eternal prize, Paul disciplined himself severely, like an athlete, so that he would not be led away from Christ into a life of sin (see 9:25  ^cm; Heb 12:1  ^cn).

‏ 1 Corinthians 10

Summary for 1Cor 10:1-22: 10:1-22  ^co After illustrating from his own life the key principle of giving up one’s rights for the sake of others (ch 9  ^cp), Paul turns back to the specific question of eating meat sacrificed to idols (8:1-13  ^cq). He warns believers of God’s wrath on those who sin, especially on those who engage in idolatry.
Summary for 1Cor 10:1-11: 10:1-11  ^cr Even though the Israelites were God’s people and experienced his salvation and provision (see Exod 13:21-22  ^cs; 14:21-29  ^ct), they still came under his judgment because of their disobedience.
10:2  ^cu all of them were baptized: Paul draws a parallel with the baptized Corinthians.
Summary for 1Cor 10:3-4: 10:3-4  ^cv Spiritual food ... spiritual water: God graciously and supernaturally provided food and water in the wilderness, especially for the people of Israel (see Exod 16:4-35  ^cw; 17:1-7  ^cx; Num 20:2-17  ^cy). The Corinthians’ situation was analogous.

• The spiritual rock that traveled with them alludes to the rock that Moses struck to get water (Exod 17:1-7  ^cz; Num 20:2-17  ^da). Early Jewish tradition understood both occurrences of the miracle to involve the same rock that was traveling with them.

• that rock was Christ: Paul’s interpretation of Israel’s experience provides a parallel between God’s provision in the wilderness and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 10:14-18  ^db; cp. John 4:14  ^dc; 7:37-39  ^dd; Rev 22:17  ^de). Both the Israelites and Christians share in the spiritual provisions of Christ; and just as the Israelites were therefore judged for their sins, so Christians will be judged if they sin (1 Cor 10:5-22  ^df).
10:6  ^dg evil things: see Num 11:4-6  ^dh, 34  ^di.
10:7  ^dj Feasting and drinking refers to celebrations in honor of pagan gods; pagan revelry suggests wild partying with drinking and sex.
10:8  ^dk See Num 25:1-9  ^dl.
10:9  ^dm Nor ... put Christ to the test: See Deut 6:16  ^dn; Ps 78:18-20  ^do; Matt 4:7  ^dp.

• Christ: Some manuscripts read the Lord, which probably represents a scribe’s attempt to harmonize with the Old Testament context.
10:10  ^dq See Num 16:13-14  ^dr, 41-49  ^ds.
Summary for 1Cor 10:12-13: 10:12-13  ^dt Paul gives the Corinthians a final warning against falling into sin (cp. Rom 11:20-22  ^du) and reminds them that God is faithful (see 1 Cor 1:9  ^dv; cp. Deut 7:9  ^dw; 1 Pet 4:19  ^dx). God will not allow them to be tempted (or tested; cp. Jas 1:2-4  ^dy) beyond their ability to endure, but will always provide a way out.
Summary for 1Cor 10:14-22: 10:14-22  ^dz Paul warns his readers against anything that might be interpreted as idolatry (cp. 1 Jn 5:21  ^ea), which includes eating food in honor of a pagan god.
Summary for 1Cor 10:16-18: 10:16-18  ^eb Paul affirms the spiritual meaning of sacred meals. In the Lord’s Supper, believers share in the blood and body of Christ (see also 11:17-34  ^ec; Matt 26:26-28  ^ed; Mark 14:22-24  ^ee; Luke 22:19-20  ^ef). Sharing one loaf unites believers as one body in Christ, just as the pagans’ religious meals unite them with the gods they worship (see 1 Cor 10:19-21  ^eg).
Summary for 1Cor 10:19-20: 10:19-20  ^eh Idols have no reality or life (see 8:4-6  ^ei), and sacrifices made to them accomplish nothing. The sacrifices pagans make to idols are actually unknowingly made to demons (see Deut 32:16-17  ^ej; Ps 106:37  ^ek; Rev 9:20  ^el). Those who share in their religious meals are thereby uniting themselves with demons.
10:21  ^em Believers should avoid participating in religious meals eaten in a pagan temple (see 8:10  ^en), because those united to the Lord (Christ) cannot simultaneously be united to demons (see 2 Cor 6:14-16  ^eo).
10:22  ^ep To ignore Paul’s advice on this matter is to rouse the Lord’s jealousy and judgment, just as Israel did (see 10:6-11  ^eq; Exod 20:5  ^er; Deut 32:21  ^es).
Summary for 1Cor 10:23-11:1: 10:23–11:1  ^et Paul closes the discussion begun in 8:1  ^eu 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  ^ev).
Summary for 1Cor 10:23-24: 10:23-24  ^ew 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  ^ex; 10:32-33  ^ey; Rom 14:13-15  ^ez, 19-21  ^fa; 15:1-2  ^fb; cp. Phil 2:3-4  ^fc).
Summary for 1Cor 10:27-29: 10:27-29  ^fd 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  ^fe, 9-10  ^ff; cp. Rom 14:13-15  ^fg, 20-23  ^fh).
Summary for 1Cor 10:29-30: 10:29-30  ^fi These two questions are difficult to understand in light of 10:28-29a  ^fj. By placing 10:28-29a  ^fk in parentheses, the NLT has interpreted these questions as expressing Paul’s own convictions, following on from 10:27  ^fl.
Summary for 1Cor 10:31-33: 10:31-33  ^fm 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  ^fn; 1 Pet 4:11  ^fo); (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  ^fp, 13  ^fq; 1 Jn 2:10  ^fr). Christians’ behavior is to be guided by what is best for others rather than by personal privilege (cp. Rom 14:13-15  ^fs, 19-21  ^ft; 15:1-2  ^fu). 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  ^fv imitate me: Cp. 4:16  ^fw; Phil 3:17  ^fx.