Christian Freedom

1 Corinthians

Read 9:24-27. How does Paul conclude the section on Christian freedom?

This leads into the next section which we are studying today in chapter 10 -

A Warning Against Association with Idols (10:1-11:1)

Read 10:1-5.If some of the “wiser” Corinthians were more than eager to eat meat sacrificed to idols, what else might they have been eager to do?

So what does Paul warn them about?

What were some advantages the Israelites had?

What would the “spiritual food” be? Hint: Spiritual might be also understood as supernatural.

What would the “spiritual drink” be?

Toppe: A rabbinical legend held that a portion of the rock at Kadesh accompanied the Israelites in the wilderness for forty years and continually supplied them with water. Paul corrects that legend; it was Christ who provided both the water and the manna in the wilderness. Jesus saved his people from Egypt and preserved his people in the wilderness. (90)

Yet what happened to these Israelites who were so blessed?

What was Paul’s main point?

There was a reason why “their bodies were scattered over the desert” -

Read 6-10. Vs. 6 is example one: What is this from?

The second example of vs. 7 & 8 is from Numbers 25. Let’s look it up and read 1-9. (Note where Shittim is on the map. Right on the brink of entrance - turn away.)

What does this story tell you about God?

How do the numbers differ from this and 1 Corinthians?

Read 11-14. Again, what was the moral of these stories?

A or D: We should live in the present, not in the past.

What excuse was Paul refuting in vs. 13?

Was 13a a criticism or encouragment from Paul?

How does this encourage us in our temptations?

What different “ways out” has God provided in the Bible?

Evaluate: John had been an alcoholic for years. His life was out of control. When he read this passage, he felt that he wasn’t a true Christian, because he couldn’t help but drink alcohol. He felt that if God really loved him, he would have given him the power to control his urges. (Many ex-alcoholics snap out of it - God gives strength. Might have urges - but don’t have to say yes to them.)

Read 14-15. Why do you imagine Paul addresses them as “dear friends” at this point?

Which path does Paul tell the Corinthians to take?

How could they flee from something so prevalent in society?

Lenski: These vital facts Paul does not merely emphasize on his own authority and then tell the Corinthians what he thinks their conduct in accordance with them should be. Paul never asks mere blind obedience; he always labors to secure obedience as a result of through conviction. (407)

The questions which Paul now asks bring out the vital facts. All of them are plain, and all of them are undisputed. On the basis of these Paul wants the Corinthians to make a definite decision on their own account.

Read 16. What does Paul talk about to illustrate the concept of fellowship and the dangers of associating with idols?

What happens when the Lord’s Supper is celebrated?

How do the reformed and Baptists interpret this verse?

Does this verse contain any figurative language?

Read 17. What other fellowship takes place at the Lord’s Supper?

What is the “loaf” spoken of here?

What is Paul getting at with this discussion?

Read 18-22. According to vs. 18, when they ate at idol sacrifices, what happened?

The Corinthians might have argued, “idols are fake! So what’s the difference if we eat with the idolaters at the idol temples or not?” How did Paul answer this in vs. 20? (There are demons who establish idol worship.) Deuteronomy 32:17 They sacrificed to demons, which are not God - gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear. (NIV)

What did Paul say about trying to “have the best of both worlds”, according to vs. 21-22?

Why isn’t this possible?

How does this fight against the mentality of today?

Read 23-25. Paul begins by quoting the expression of the Corinthians that he did earlier in 6:12. Lenski says, “Paul thus says to the Corinthians: ‘The principle is right enough; let us now apply it, but, of course, only with its natural limitations. For it is folly to insist on doing things just because they are lawful when these things bring no benefit but rather hurt and harm either me or others. It is absurd to insist on doing things just because they are lawful when these things do not build up and further the Christian life but damage and destroy it for me or for others.” (418)

In vs. 25 is Paul telling those with a weak conscience to go ahead and eat the meat?

So how does Paul draw a line between when eating sacrificed meat is ok and when it is not?

You could apply this to the places we worship, the songs, we sing, and lots of things in today’s world. How so?

Read 27-30. When would they not eat sacrificed meat?

Who would the anyone be referring to? Weak believers and unbelievers? Or just weak believers?

Paul asked, “why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?” In other words, your conscience should not be limited and actions should not be judged when you act in freedom, but you need to bend your freedom in practice for other people’s conscience.

Paul now draws the final deduction of this section. This is again a broad Christian principle of conduct. In vs. 23, 24 he began with the principle that centers in the spiritual benefit of our fellow men. He must go farther than that. Underlying this principle is another that is still more vital, in fact, the ultimate principle of all Christian action.

Read 31-11:1. What principle should govern all that we do?

How has the context given yo a different understanding of vs. 31?

Lenski: No action of ours is to prevent a Jew or a Greek from coming to Christ, and no action of ours is to prevent a Christian from remaining with Christ and from ever drawing nearer to him. All of our actions are to help the Jew and the Greek to come to Christ; they are also to help to hold and to strengthen our fellow Christians in their attachment to Christ. (426)

How might some interpret vs. 31 wrongly?

How do we know that Paul didn’t mean “anything goes?”

Any questions?