Ramblings on What We Share: To Eat or Not to Eat

“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. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 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. I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 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. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.   I Corinthians 10:23 – 11:1

When studying this passage, we must realize the great variance between the legalism of the Jews compared to the more flexible practices of the Gentiles. Paul, a master at navigating between the two cultures, offers a moderate view on dietary practices. Unlike the Jews, Paul encourages a relaxed approach to what one eats when visiting someone else’s home or when purchasing food at the market. The dietary laws of the Old Testament are not upheld here.

The only restriction on what we eat should be based on the conscience of the person we are eating with. As Paul mentions, this was the practice of Jesus who easily shared strict, Kosher meals with members of the Jewish religious leadership yet was also quite comfortable eating with Samaritans, prostitutes and tax collectors.

We are free to do whatever – as long as it glorifies God.