10:26
Paul then gives Scriptural backing for eating any food, “for the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof”. There are a couple of points to make. First, is that in this whole matter of food and idols Paul has given arguments saying that eating food offered to idols is fine, while at the same time earlier talking about those who worship idols as worshipping demons. So if one had just quoted one small section an argument, a “Biblical argument”, could have been made for either position. This demonstrates that we need to take the whole of Scripture, and certainly the whole of the immediate context, into account when making a case. The second point is that everything belongs to the Lord. Demons had taken food and were seeking to make it their own. Things were being argued about as if the food belonged to demons. It has oft been said that sex, money and power are involved when leaders (church or secular) fall, and are at the root of all evil. We need to remember that sex, money and power all belong to God, and used in righteous ways are a force for good, not evil. We need to take back territory from the devil, and we do so by following God’s commands.
10:27,28
Paul then turns immediately to the practicalities of the matter. What if an unbeliever invites you to dinner? What do you do about the food, which may well have been offered to idols. First, notice that Paul is perfectly happy with them mixing with unbeliever. Indeed, if we do not how will any of them come to know the Lord? There are situations and circumstances in which it is unwise to mix with unbelievers, but there is no blanket ban. Then, unless anything is said (see next verse), just get on and eat the meal. So we should not go around looking for an excuse to object to something.
However, if the host announces that the food is part of a sacrifice then they should not eat it. Why the difference? Because now the food is directly associated with idol worship.
No comments:
Post a Comment