(Having mentioned 16th century poet John Donne in the previous post, we’re now misquoting William Shakespeare! Apologies to the bard…)
Some have said that Paul’s views on eating meat sold in the meat market are contradictory, apparently encouraging this practice in 1 Cor 10:27 and then warning against it in 1 Cor 10:20-22, 28-29.
It is easy to want ‘one size fits all’ rules which can somehow stretch to fit every scenario and every possible permutation to guide us through the mazes of life. Such a path will lead to legalism, however, adding countless rules and regulations to legislate for every possible variant. Paul speaks to ‘sensible people’ who can ‘judge for yourselves what I say.’ (1 Cor 10:15) He gives them principles to think through, not cast-iron rules which are unyielding, and it’s because of this approach to principles (not laws) that we ultimately can reach maturity.
When children are very young, they need the absolute certainty of rules: ‘don’t touch the fire’, ‘eat your greens’ and so on. That’s all they can understand. As they get older, however, reasons and explanations are added to the rules: ‘don’t touch the fire or you will be burned’, ‘eat your greens because they provide essential nutrients and vitamins that will help to keep you healthy.’
Paul gives guidance to the Corinthians which will help them to think through this scenario and reach conclusions which show consistency of principles. Left-over meat from sacrifices has no intrinsic evil in it, since ‘the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.’ (1 Cor 10:26, quoting Ps 24:1). Therefore, it can be eaten with no qualms. But if objections are raised (either by Christians of weaker faith or by unbelievers), it’s better to refrain from eating it so as not to cause others to stumble. Idol-worship is, ultimately, not to be trifled with, since this kind of worship is satanically inspired (1 Cor 10:20). Better to avoid it in that situation so as not to trip anyone else up. Consideration for other people’s consciences remains a key principle.
The real issue is not just what we eat, however (something the Corinthians probably had not realised.) The real issue is having an undivided heart. Paul reminds the Corinthians that now they partake in Christ (symbolised by the bread and wine, referred to in 1 Cor 10:16-17). The one cup and the one loaf of Holy Communion do not only represent the blood and body of Christ, they represent the unity of the church. We must do nothing to damage that unity (see Eph 4:1-2).
Idolatry demands worship that is due to God alone. Paul issues stern warnings to the Corinthians: ‘You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.’ (1 Cor 10:21) If we were not only to eat the meat sacrificed to idols but to actually participate in the temple ceremonies, that would be dangerous indeed – not because the idol is itself anything in comparison to God, but because our allegiance would then be divided. Jesus said a similar thing: ‘no one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.’ (Matt 6:24) Having an undivided heart is ultimately more crucial than what meat we eat. Paul takes the Corinthians further than the surface question and shows them that the answers to their questions are more complex than they perhaps wanted them to be! When we discussed ‘Growing Up In God’, we said that one of the signs of immaturity is the belief that one size fits all; another sign is when we think we know it all and anyone who disagrees with us is wrong! Paul wants us to ‘grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.’ (Eph 4:15) We can only do this as we learn to apply spiritual principles to every situation we face in life.