1 Corinthians 10 - What is Christian Freedom and How Should I Use it?

1 Corinthians 10

Enduring Word Commentary

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Paul gives the Corinthians a warning from Israel's history. Though they were God's people and had experienced the blessings and benefits from it, they rebelled against God and never made it to the promised land. Paul says the spiritual rock they drank from was Christ. What does he mean by that?

The phrase "drank from the same spiritual rock" from 1 Corinthians 10:4 means that the Israelites' miraculous supply of water from a rock in the desert was not just a physical event, but a spiritual one provided by Christ, who was present with them, sustaining them throughout their journey in the wilderness. The apostle Paul uses a Jewish legend of a moving rock or well, which provided water to the Israelites, and identifies this "spiritual Rock" as Christ, signifying that He was the true source of God's provision and protection for His people. 

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[a] 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ,[b] as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

Since sexual immorality was so rampant in Corinth, Paul reminds them of the 23,000 of God's people who indulged in this kind of revelry and were struck down dead in the desert. 

"They failed in that they could not say “no” to their desires, and so we must not lust after evil things as they also lusted. The Corinthian Christians who insisted on eating meat sacrificed to idols, even though they led other Christians into sin, just couldn’t say “no.” They said, “the meat is so good” or “it is such a bargain” but they could not say “no” out of love for God and love for a brother." - Guzik

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Everyone should remember 1 Corinthians 10:13. In my opinion it is the best verse in the bible in regard to overcoming temptation. I have used it many times. Paul gives a surefire method to not fall to sin. Here are the principles in his formula. 

1. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to mankind. When we are tempted, we are not the first to experience this particular temptation. Others have have been tested by this exact temptation, and they have overcome it. 

2. God is faithful. God will always be faithful to us, if we strive to be faithful to him. If we fall to temptation, it is never God's fault. He will always keep to His promises, especially the ones in this verse.

3. God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Though certain temptations can be extremely difficult, it will never be one you can't resist if you turn to God. Sometimes when we are being tempted, we rationalize that we "have to give in to it". It is almost as if we think we can't survive if we don't. This is a lie from the devil. You always have the choice to resist and overcome temptation. You can always choose not to sin. Part of it is do you really want to do this.  

4. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. This is a big promise. God will always give you a way out. But here is the thing, you have to be looking for it and be willing to use it. 

Yes, temptation is hard. Yes, sometimes it feels like there is no way out. But Paul's promises here there is always a way and we can always have victory over it if we trust in Him. Overcoming temptation is a huge boost to our faith. Once we start overcoming temptation, it becomes easier the next time. Just like the opposite is true. But we need to be careful not to get prideful. Or, that we think we can do it on our own. This makes us ripe for a fall. 

Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.

Paul contrasts the idol feast with the Lord's Supper. Food offered to idols is worthless because idols are worthless. When we receive Holy Communion, we partake of Christ's body and blood. We also become one as the body of Christ. When we gather for church, we are one just like a loaf of bread is one. When we drink the wine we can remember the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross with his own precious blood. 

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, 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. 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Paul has already acknowledged an idol is nothing in the world (1 Corinthians 8:4). Does he now say that idols are actually demons? No. But he does say demonic spirits take advantage of idol worship to deceive and enslave people. Without knowing it, idol worshippers are glorifying demons in their sacrifice. - Guzik

The Corinthian Christians thought, “Since an idol is not real, it doesn’t matter what we eat, and it doesn’t matter where we eat it.” Paul answers by agreeing that an idol is in itself nothing (1 Corinthians 8:4), but now explains that demons take advantage of man’s ignorant and self-serving worship. - Guzik

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “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. 25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

Paul is also cautious to teach anything that smacks of legalism. A Christian has a right to do anything, but not everything is good for them. Also, it may not be good for a brother who is struggling in their conscience if we exercise this freedom. This is especially true of the things we put in our bodies. 

Whether it is greasy fast food, drinks loaded with sugar and caffeine, alcoholic drinks, or tobacco products. These not sinful in and of themselves but we have to ask ourselves if this is beneficial to our overall well-being. If the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, we should be careful what we put into this temple. It doesn't make us clean or unclean but it can affect our health. 

Many Christians are addicted to food, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. When we are addicted it is no longer a free choice, and it  not beneficial at all. In fact, it is often destructive to ourselves and everyone around us. 

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you 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. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom 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?

If they were at an unbelievers house and didn't know if the food had been offered up to idols, they should feel free to eat it. But if they know for sure it was offered to idols, they should not eat it. Paul in Galatians sums up our Christian freedom, 

"Use your freedom to serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13

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

Paul finishes with two overarching principles in regard to all he has been teaching. 

1. Whatever you eat or drink do it all to the glory of God. If something you eat or drink does not give glory to God, don't eat or drink it. Our motivation should always be to please our heavenly Father. 

2. Do not cause another brother or sister in Christ to stumble by the exercise of your freedom. Though it may not be an issue for you, by seeing you partake might make them rationalize they can do it. While we are not responsible for our neighbor's behavior, we should do everything to support and encourage them in their walk with Christ!