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18 Consider the practice of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer 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. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Do All to the Glory of God

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 (But if some one says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience’ sake— 29 I mean his conscience, not yours—do not eat it.) For why should my liberty be determined by another man’s scruples? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

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

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Footnotes

  1. 10.20 Paul appears to forbid partaking in sacrificial meals. In verse 27 he says they may eat meat offered to idols if it is at an ordinary meal, unless it would cause scandal to any one present.

18 Observe (A)Israel (B)after the flesh: (C)Are not those who eat of the sacrifices [a]partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? (D)That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles (E)sacrifice (F)they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 (G)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (H)the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the (I)Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we (J)provoke the Lord to jealousy? (K)Are we stronger than He?

All to the Glory of God(L)

23 All things are lawful [b]for me, but not all things are (M)helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things [c]edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one (N)the other’s well-being.

25 (O)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for (P)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, (Q)eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it (R)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [d]for (S)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For (T)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food (U)over which I give thanks?

31 (V)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (W)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just (X)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:18 fellowshippers or sharers
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NU omits for me
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:23 build up
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:28 NU omits the rest of v. 28.