The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church at Corinth

Chapter 10:23

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Related Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12

Brethren:

As noted in the related scripture that whilst we are not under the curse of the law, not all things are profitable to us. This is to say they do not edify either ourselves or others.

Additionally, whilst all things are again lawful, they are not to be used excessively. This is to say to be enslaved, and/or addicted to them, so they, in essence, become idols and stumbling blocks to us or others.

Consider therefore friends, in all that you do, ask; does it portray God’s righteousness and holiness through us, or does it edify others? Remember, most times, actions speak louder than words. Also, friends, be careful of what and how we speak. While the aforementioned is true, it is also true that our words can bless or curse, lift up or tear down. Therefore, think, and consider all things with the view of God in mind.

 

 The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church at Corinth

Chapter 10:14-20

Flee From Idolatry

14 Wherefore my beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as unto them which have understanding: judge ye what I say.

16 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?

17 For we that are many, are one bread and one body, because we all are partakers of one bread.

18 Behold Israel, which is after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the Altar?

19 What say I then? that the idol is anything? or that that which is sacrificed to idols, is anything?

20 Nay, but that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not unto God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with the devils.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of the devils. Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of the devils.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to anger? are we stronger than he?

“Not only they ought not, but they could not rightly, truly, and really drink the cup of wine in the Lord's supper, in the true faith of Christ's bloodshed, and his sacrifice offered up for them, in remembrance of his love, and to the honour of his name; and also the cup of wine of libations, poured out and drank to the honour of the Heathen deities; these things are utterly inconsistent; no man can serve two masters, God and mammon, or God and Baal; nor is there any concord between Christ and Belial, or agreement between the temple of God and idols.”

John Gill

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church at Corinth

Chapter 10:9, 12-13

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted him, and were destroyed of serpents.

12 Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you, but such as appertaineth to man: and God is faithful, which will not suffer you to be tempted above that you be able, but will even give the issue with the temptation, that ye may be able to bear it.

Related Scripture

Verse 9: Numbers 21:6; Psalm 106:14

Verses 12-13: Romans 11:30; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Psalm 125:3

“Neither let us tempt Christ, by our unbelief. The common translation runs, Let him that thinketh he standeth; but the word translated thinketh, most certainly strengthens, rather than weakens, the sense. Common to man - Or, as the Greek word imports, proportioned to human strength. God is faithful - In giving the help which he hath promised. And he will with the temptation - Provide for your deliverance.” - John Wesley

Commentary based on Matthew 5:11-12

Blessed shall ye be when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you for my sake, falsely. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you. - Genva Bible Translation - Matthew 5:11-12

Preface:
Brethren, let us therefore, as has been written in several Scripture, hold fast, and remain steadfast in our confession of faith in Christ. [Read Proverbs 4:4; Titus 1:9; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:14, 4:14) - R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

“When they shall cast reproaches on you (See Luke 6:22). When men shall hate you, and separate you, and load you with reproaches, and cast out your name as evil By these words Christ intended to comfort those who believe in him; that they may not lose courage, even though they see themselves to be detestable in the eyes of the world. For this was no light temptation, to be thrown out of the Church as ungodly and profane. Christ knew that there is no class of men more envenomed than hypocrites, and foresaw with what furious madness the enemies of the Gospel would attack his small and despised flock. It was therefore his will to furnish them with a sure defense, that they might not give way, though an immense mass of reproaches were ready to overwhelm them. And hence it appears, how little reason there is to dread” - John Calvin

“These words are particularly directed to the disciples of Christ, and are designed to inform them, that they should not be exempted from reproach and persecution, and to animate and fortify them against it; and are prophetical of what they, and the first Christians particularly, were to endure for Christ's sake. Men should "revile" them, speak very reproachfully of them, brand them with infamy, and load them with disgrace; and persecute you from place to place, by ill usage of all sorts; ‘and shall say all manner of evil against you’: the worst things they could think of and invent, and all of them; such as that they were seditious persons, enemies to the commonwealth, and the public good, guilty of sacrilege, incest, and murder but what would serve to relieve them under these heavy charges is, that they were "falsely" laid; there was not a word of truth in them; wherefore their own hearts would not reproach them; but all were the malicious lies of men, invented on purpose to bring them and Christianity into disgrace: and that they were brought against "them for Christ's sake", for his name's sake, for the sake of his Gospel and interest: the treatment they meet with is on his account, and the same that he himself met with; the like reproaches fell on him, which will be all wiped off from him and them another day; when they will appear to be the blessed persons, and their revilers and persecutors the unhappy ones.”

John Gill

“Enemies to righteousness are enemies to Christ. This precludes those from the blessedness who suffer justly, and are evil spoken of truly for their real crimes; let such be ashamed and confounded, it is part of their punishment; it is not the suffering, but the cause, that makes the martyr. Those suffer for righteousness’ sake, who suffer because they will not sin against their consciences, and who suffer for doing that which is good. Whatever pretence persecutors have, it is the power of godliness that they have an enmity to; it is really Christ and his righteousness that are maligned, hated, and persecuted. ‘So persecuted they the prophets that were before you’. They were before you in excellency, above what you are yet arrived at; they were before you in time, that they might be examples to you of suffering affliction and of patience, (See James. 5:10). They were in like manner persecuted and abused; and can you expect to go to heaven in a way by yourself? Was not Isaiah mocked for his line upon line? Elisha for his bald head? Were not all the prophets thus treated? Therefore marvel not at it as a strange thing, murmur not at it as a hard thing; it is a comfort to see the way of suffering a beaten road, and an honour to follow such leaders. That grace which was sufficient for them, to carry them through their sufferings, shall not be deficient to you. Those who are your enemies are the seed and successors of them who of old mocked the messengers of the Lord,” - Matthew Henry

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church at Corinth

Chapter 9:19-23

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all men, that I may win the more.

20 And unto the Jews, I become as a Jew, that I may win the Jews: to them that are under the Law, as though I were under the Law, that I may win them that are under the Law:

21 To them that are without Law, as though I were without Law, (when I am not without Law as pertaining to God, but am in the Law through Christ) that I may win them that are without Law:

22 To the weak I become as weak, that I may win the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the Gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Related Scripture:

Matthew 20:25-27; Acts 16:3; Romans 10:33; Galatians 2:3

Brethren:

We have often expounded upon the command by Jesus Christ to be the servant of all men. Recall friends, if you will how He washed the feet of the disciples so that He would show by example what this was to entail. (Read John 13:5-17)

As such, so did the Apostle Paul, sought to explain to the Corinthian church how they should also be all things to all men, to be the ultimate servant of God, in that they might bring others to the foot of the cross to seek redemption.

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church at Corinth

Chapter 9:14, 18

Brethren:

I leave it up to yourselves, to make your own conclusions today

14 So also hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel.

18 What is my reward then? verily that when I preach the Gospel, I make the Gospel of Christ free, that I abuse not mine authority in the Gospel.

Related Scripture:
Matthew 10:10; Romans 10:15; 1 Corinthians 7:31, 9:12, 10:33; Galatians 5:13

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church at Corinth

Chapter 8:8

8 But meat maketh us not acceptable to God, for neither if we eat, have we the more: neither if we eat not, have we the less.

Related Scripture:

Romans 14:17; Acts 10:9-16; Matthew 15:11; Mark 7:21; Proverbs 3:5, 4:23

Brethren:

We are reminded herein of two scriptures. The first being in the Gospel of Mark and the other in the Book of Acts.

In the former, we read how our Savior defines what makes us acceptable to our Creator by making note that it is what comes out of our mouths, that issues that flow from the heart are what defines what types of persons we are.

In the latter, we see how in Peter's vision we learn that God has cleansed all things for our profit.

“ In this he tacitly acknowledges, that in the sight of God it matters not what kinds of food we partake of, because he allows us the free use of them, so far as conscience is concerned; but that this liberty, as to the external use of it, is made subject to love. The argument of the Corinthians, therefore, was defective, inasmuch as they inferred the whole from a part, for in the use of them a regard to the claims of love is included. It is, therefore, certain, that meat recommendeth us not to God; and Paul acknowledges this, but he states this exception, that love is recommended to us by God, which it were criminal to overlook.

He does not speak of improvement as to the stomach; for the man who has dined has a better filled stomach than the man who goes fasting; but he means, that we have neither more nor less of righteousness from eating or from abstaining. Besides, he does not speak of every kind of abstinence, or of every kind of eating. For excess and luxury are in themselves displeasing to God, while sobriety and moderation are well-pleasing to him. But let it be understood by us, that the kingdom of God, which is spiritual, does not consist in these outward observances, and therefore, that things indifferent are in themselves of no importance in the sight of God. While he brings this forward in the person of others by anthypophora , [aka hypopora], he at the same time admits that it is true, for it is taken from his own doctrine, which we touched upon a little ago.”
John Calvin - Theologian

Postscript - Read Matthew 4:4