Tag: idols

Idols

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Corinthians 10:27-33 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and you be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 

‘If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and you be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.’ If any man invites you to a common meal, you are free to go. If it is an idol festival you cannot go (10:18-28; 8:4-13), make sure however not to eat with those clearly stated in 1Corinthians 5:11-13.

‘But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake.’ You are free to eat the meat at the table unless you are informed that it is a sacrifice to idols. In this case, you have to refrain for the sake of the one who invited you (10:28-29). You are to let it be known that you have no part as a Christian with any traffic with idols and demons (10:20-22).

‘For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks.’ It would still be lawful for you to eat of meat sacrificed to idols, as an idol is nothing, but if it is so sacrificed then it must be recognized that it is in honour of devils and for this reason you have to refuse to partake (10:20-22). You would be a stumbling block to a weak brother or a heathen who perhaps knows the stand of Christianity on the question. We must be true to our religion and convictions.

‘Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.’ Ten rules of Christian diplomacy: Eat for the glory of God without being glutinous (10:31). Drink for the glory of God (not implying the drinking of alcohol). Do all things for God’s glory. Give no offense to Jews (10:32). Give no offense to Gentiles. Give no offense to brethren (Christians). Seek to please all people in God (10:33). Seek to please people in all things in God. Do not seek personal profit, but seek the profit of others (10:33; 9:19-23). Above all, do all things with the view setting the correct example for the sake of redemption of the lost souls of people (10:33).

As It Is Written

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Romans 2:21-24 Thou therefore which teach another, teach thou not thyself? thou that preach a man should not steal, do thou steal? Thou that say a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhor idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that make thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonour thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. 

‘Thou therefore which teach another, teach thou not thyself? thou that preach a man should not steal, do thou steal? Thou that say a man should not commit adultery, do thou commit adultery? thou that abhor idols, do thou commit sacrilege? Thou that make thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonour thou God?’ People are quick to teach others, while they don’t heed their own advice; they preach to others not to steal, commit adultery or have idols, but sin in the same ways. They boast in how they serve God but don’t obey simple commandments as given throughout the Word.

‘Abhor’ [Greek: bdelusso] only here and in Revelation 21:8 where it is translated abominable. ‘Commit sacrilege’ [Greek: hierosuleo] rob temples; use consecrated things for self. It is also the same as robbing God in Malachi 3:10-12.

‘Through breaking the law dishonour thou God’ one cannot boast of the law, and at the same break it and bring reproach upon God by living in open contradiction to your own profession. In Biblical times the high priesthood itself was an office bought and sold like other commodities. The rapine of Eli’s sons was carried on many generations by priests (1Sam. 2:22; Matt. 23:1-39). Their adultery and polygamy were scandalous. They were guilty of theft, treachery, adultery, murder, and all the sins of Romans 1:18-32; 2:1-29; 3:10-18.

‘For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written’ Ezekiel 36:20, 23 describes how Israel profaned God’s name under the heathen nations instead of representing Him as was their purpose.