The subject under consideration from 1 Corinthians 8:1 through 11:1 is idolatry. According to historical accounts, in the sacrificial worship in idolatrous temples, the animal to be offered was taken before the idol for sacrifice. As an item of worship, the person offering the sacrifice would often eat a portion of the meat. Another portion was burned in worship to the idol. 'This showed fellowship between the worshiper and the idol. This was the common practice, and it was believed that by burning a part of the meat the idol god had consumed some also. Obviously, since the idol could not actually consume any of the meat, it was eventually taken to the market or "shambles" for sale to the public for common use. As a result, anyone who bought meat at the market could he reasonably sure it had been used in idolatrous sacrifices at least part of the time. That was perfectly alright (see 1 Corinthians 10:25). Paul reasoned in 1 Corinthians 10:26 that the earth and everything in it belonged to the Lord anyway. Hence, it could be used with a clear conscience as long as it was done with thanks to the Lord.

The problem was that there were some church members in Corinth who considered themselves strong and others weak. In chapters 8, 9 and 10 Paul discusses the strong/weak issue also. However, remember that these three chapters deal with idolatry in the main. This is no small issue. In fact, Paul said more about idolatry than he did the Lord's Supper, the so-called 'hair question" or a number of other things. Those who considered themselves strong were seemingly trying to convince Paul that it was alright for them to go to the temples of idols and eat the feasts. After all, the idol was really nothing anyway. It was just an image. It wasn't alive, and it surely was not a real god. So what was the problem with going there and eating the meat? They were not worshiping the idol, they thought. They considered it a trivial matter, and those who objected were weak brethren. I have noticed that even in our own day it is often these who say they are "strong" enough to not be affected by going to worldly places and consider us weak who warn against it. However, Paul commanded: "..flee from idolatry" (1 Corinthians 10-14). He knew it was sin for them to be involved in anyway at all.

We have little problem with brethren wanting to go to the idol's temple in America. However, there were a number of things that went along with such practice. Revelling and banqueting were usually present at the idol's feasts. That was the idea of having a big party where all eat and drink to excess and no rules are enforced. Some want to be involved in that today, but it is just as wrong now as then. Fornication and other forms of immorality were commonly associated with idol's feasts, so it is small wonder Paul warned against it. Perhaps we do not realize how closely associated some of the common sins of today are with idolatry. Remember, Paul said, "flee from idolatry." (1 Corinthians 10:14) The reason for this is found in verse 7 where he wrote, "neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."

The eating and drinking was, apparently idolatrous worship. That's what he is talking about in this context. So, the eating of meat here was not just a meal at all, was it? Perhaps it may have been to some of the Corinthian brethren (at least in their own minds) but to others who saw them eat it at the idol's temple, they were in fellowship with the idol and actual worshiping it. So Paul is definitely concerned with what others think of us. Whether we want to admit it or not, the Bible does not allow us to live and eat in a way that leaves the wrong impression or violates the conscience of others. We simply are not allowed to do that. It is wrong for me to publicly go to places and engage in practices that others are convinced are wrong. We may believe it is permissible. However, if it becomes controversial and the church can be harmed, we must leave it alone. I am not allowed to do anything that compromises my ability or influence to teach another the truth no matter what it is.

In 1 Corinthians 10:15 Paul said, "1speak as to wise men, judge ye what I say "'This is by no means to be understood as a compliment to those Corinthians. They are not really, wise. No one who is really wise will do what they did! In an earlier chapter (chapter 4), he had soundly chastised those in Corinth who considered themselves very learned and wise. They thought they were even greater than Paul and other apostles. This seems to be a sarcasm. In other words, if you are so wise, listen to what I say. Then in verse 16 he said, "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" This verse, though it certainly applies to the Lord's Supper, was not spoken as an explanatory statement. Rather, it was stated as an argument against their idolatrous practice. This is the context. I used to wonder why this verse was found here instead of over in chapter 11 where the Communion is the subject. His point was this: just as the people at the temple of the idol showed their fellowship with the idol by being there and eating the meat in worship, so it was with the Lord's Supper. How could they fail to see the conflict of interest? Could they really have fellowship with the temple of idols (devils) and also the Lord's table? Of course not! Paul is showing that when they went to the temple of idols and sat down to eat the meat there (though they did not believe in the idol and did not consider what they did as worship), they appeared to have fellowship with the ideals represented by the idol. He showed in verse 20 that the Devil was the one really behind it, and he did not want them to have to have fellowship with the devils. In verse 21 he said, "Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." It was not physically impossible for them to do this, for some of the Corinthians were doing that very thing. However, it was morally wrong or sinful. The word "cannot" in this verse, in Greek, is said to mean that it was forbidden. Paul would not that they appear to fellowship both the Lord and the Devil by sitting at both tables and appearing to worship both. Brethren, we had better think about what we do on Saturday night, where we go, and then what we do on Lord's day. Our actions may very well be just as incompatible as what the Corinthians were doing. God forbid that we be so foolish! More later. - DLK