1 Corinthians 10:23-30
23 “All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up. 24 No one is to seek his own advantage, but rather that of his neighbor. 25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions, for the sake of conscience;26 for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains. 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions, for the sake of conscience. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of that one who informed you and for the sake of conscience; 29 Now by “conscience” I do not mean your own, but the other person’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered about that for which I give thanks?”
Let no one seek his own advantage: Paul is not speaking of sin here. Naturally, sin is not permissible for Christians nor is it fitting or profitable for them. In the context, Paul is talking about food. For Paul, all food is lawful and permissible including that meat sacrificed to idols and sold to the meat market. However, someone of a weaker or immature conscience, may be offended if believers ate such food. This can cause damage to a person of weaker conscience, someone who is an immature believer or unsaved person. Paul, therefore, encourages believers to be sensitive to the weaknesses of other that they may know Christ.
Do not eat it: Paul encourages believers to not eat meat sacrificed to idols if those who serve the food are celebrating the fact that it is idol meat. This could communicate an affirmation and co-celebration of such meat. Instead, Paul encourages believers to not eat in this context so as to not mistakenly associate Christian theology with sacrificed meat. This helps the unbeliever discern that the Christian message is different from that of idol-based religions.
