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19 What do I imply, then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what they[a] sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.(A) 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.(B) 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?(C)

Do All to the Glory of God

23 “All things are permitted,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” but not all things build up. 24 Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other.(D) 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26 for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.”(E) 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— 29 I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience?(F) 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?(G)

31 So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.(H) 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,(I) 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage but that of many, so that they may be saved.(J)

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Footnotes

  1. 10.20 Other ancient authorities read the gentiles

19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(A) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(B) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 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.(C) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(D) Are we stronger than he?(E)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(F) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(G)

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(H) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[a](I)

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(J) without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.(K) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(L) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(M)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(N) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(O) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(P) 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(Q) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(R) so that they may be saved.(S)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1