1 Corinthians 10:26-29

The Voice

²⁶because “the earth and all that’s upon it belong to the Lord.”^[a]

Paul’s instruction on this matter is clear: believers should give up their rights and freedoms for the sake of others. This is the essence of sacrifice. This is what Jesus did. This is what Paul does. Otherwise, community becomes impossible. But no state or church authority should force compliance; it must arise from a heart of love and a disposition that puts the needs of others first.

²⁷So if some unbelievers invite you to dinner and you want to go, feel free to eat whatever they offer you without raising questions about conscience. ^28-29But if someone says, “This is meat from the temple altar, a sacrifice to god so-and-so,” then do not eat it. Not so much because of your own conscience [because the earth and everything on it belongs to the Lord],^[b] but out of consideration for the conscience of the other fellow who told you about it. So you ask, “Why should I give up my freedom to accommodate the scruples of another?”

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Footnotes

10:26 Psalm 24:1
10:28-29 Some manuscripts omit this portion.

1 Corinthians 10:26-28

New International Version

²⁶for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”^[a]^(A)

²⁷If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you^(B) without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸But 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.^(C)

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