1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Paul begins with "All things are lawful..." (v23, ESV) repeating it twice, which is similar to something he previously said.

"all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything."

(1 Cor 6:12, ESV)

This time he's making a point about building up and with reference to others as he mentions in verse 24. Paul speaks in the previous paragraph not to participate in sacrificing to idols. However, in this paragraph, he says it's okay to eat any meat in the market. The meat some would be worried about or question eating are the ones that have been sacrificed to idols.

So, it's agreed that we shouldn't partake in sacrifices to idols, but it is okay to eat meat from the market including the meat sacrificed to idols. Really, it's hard to tell which is which and there's no point making a fuss about trying to determine each meat's origin. In fact, any of those meats were from God or a provision from God in a sense, as Paul reassurances in verse 26.

There is one case where you shouldn't eat meat sacrificed to idols. This case is if another person makes a big deal out of the fact that the meat has been sacrificed to idols. If that's the case, then you shouldn't eat it. The reason is not for your own sake, but for that person's sake. This goes back to the beginning of the paragraph with reference to "...but not all things build up." (v23, ESV) and "Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbour." (v24, ESV). After reading this, you should know and understand that it's okay to eat meat sacrificed to idols. But for the sake of someone else, you may decide to not eat it. This is somewhat similar to chapter 8 where Paul talks about the same thing with reference to causing a brother to stumble.

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

(1 Cor 8:13, ESV)

Here the focus is on not causing a brother to stumble. Coming back to chapter 10, the focus is on your conscience and the conscience of someone else.

I can't really think of a good example right now. However, I will continue to live in a way that glorifies God as Paul instructs in verse 31. If in my heart I know what I am doing is neither against God's will nor does it cause others to stumble or is sin, then I shouldn't worry. However, if someone else brings it up and it's not a big deal for me to simply not do it, then fine. I can give it up for his or her sake. Furthermore, if it's a brother or sister, I would definitely not want them to stumble. Going further to the end of the chapter, Paul is instructing to try to please others and give them no offense. He does all this not seeking his own benefit, but for the purpose of saving souls.

Walk in a way that glorifies God. Think about the benefit of others, not simply your own. You don't want to cause a brother or sister to stumble, but you also want to consider other people's conscience (non-believers too). Seeking for their well being and not offending them and all these things all for the purpose of possibly bringing them to Christ. And of course spreading the gospel in order to save souls to Christ is included in walking in such a way that glorifies God.