How does 1 Corinthians 10:28 guide us in respecting others' conscience? Understanding the Setting • Corinthian believers asked whether they could freely eat meat that had once been sacrificed to idols but was now sold in the marketplace. • Paul affirms Christian freedom (1 Colossians 10:25–27) yet immediately balances it with love for a neighbor’s tender conscience. Key Instruction from 1 Corinthians 10:28 “But if someone tells you, ‘This was offered to idols,’ then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience.” How the Verse Guides Our Respect for Conscience • The believer voluntarily limits liberty: “do not eat.” • Motivation is others-focused: “for the sake of the one who informed you.” • Broader concern: “for the sake of conscience”—both his and (indirectly) yours—so no one is prompted to stumble (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:13). • Paul’s rule is immediate and practical; it assumes the claim is credible and the other person may be spiritually vulnerable. Related Scriptures That Reinforce the Principle • 1 Corinthians 8:9 – “Be careful that your freedom does not become a stumbling block.” • Romans 14:13 – “Resolve never to put a stumbling block or obstacle in a brother’s way.” • Romans 14:15 – “If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love.” • Galatians 5:13 – “Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” • Philippians 2:4 – “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Practical Ways to Live This Out • Before exercising a freedom (food, drink, entertainment, etc.), ask: “Will this confuse or wound someone’s conscience who is watching?” • If an unbeliever highlights a potential offense (“This was offered to idols”), graciously abstain; the witness of considerate love outweighs personal preference. • Teach newer believers why we sometimes lay aside freedoms so they learn both liberty and love. • In multi-cultural settings, research local practices that might clash with biblical convictions, then adjust behavior to avoid needless offense. • Encourage mature believers to model deference; their example trains the entire congregation. Why This Matters to God • Love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10); willingly limiting liberty proves genuine love. • Unity in the body reflects Christ’s heart (John 17:21). Social freedom surrendered for a brother’s sake protects that unity. • A clear, untroubled conscience—both ours and others’—preserves joyful fellowship with the Lord (1 John 3:21). |
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