69. A matter of conscience versus a matter of sin 1 Co 10:18–22

We admit that sometimes when we sit down and read the pages of the Scriptures, we come across texts that initially seem to contradict themselves. This morning, in the passage we are studying today, there is a temptation to come to this conclusion. But is Paul contradicting what he said in the chapters earlier? Today, we will look at the two passages and compare his advice in chapters 8 and 10 to see if there is a simple way to reconcile these two passages. Today we will talk about what is a matter of conscience versus a matter of sin.

Historical Context

In the Roman world of the first century, there was a market for meat that had been sacrificed to idols. This practice was common in various pagan religions and cults of the time. Temples and religious establishments often received offerings in the form of animals, which were then sacrificed to the gods. After the sacrificial rituals, the remaining meat was frequently sold in local markets or used for communal feasts and banquets.

People in the Roman Empire would purchase and consume this meat, sometimes as a regular part of their diet. The issue of whether Christians should eat meat sacrificed to idols was a matter of theological and ethical debate in early Christianity, as mentioned in the Epistle we are currently working our way through. Based on the passage found in chapter 8, we know that some Christians believed it was permissible to eat such meat, while others felt it was best to abstain to avoid any association with pagan idolatry.

Let’s begin by reviewing Paul’s counsel regarding eating meat sacrificed to Idols in chapter 8.  

We can see that this passage acknowledges the theological understanding that idols are nothing and that eating food offered to idols does not have any spiritual significance. It focuses on the conscience of individuals and suggests that eating or not eating such food is a matter of personal conviction. It is important to note Paul, is not addressing the practice of offering meat to an idol, but the practice of eating meat,  after it had been previously sacrificed to an idol.

In our passage today, Paul says.

So, in this passage, Paul takes a stricter approach! Because he is dealing with the practice of idolatry. Here, the apostle emphasizes that idolatrous practices are essentially the worship of demons and warns against any fellowship with such practices. It highlights the incompatibility of participating in both Christian and idolatrous rituals. Paul begins this whole dissertation with the word. “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

Let's take a moment to contemplate the importance of this guidance. It's crucial to recognize that within the early Church of Corinth, there were individuals who, despite being members of the church, still adhered to pagan idolatry. This fact might challenge our modern perspective on the early church. Many assume that those in the early church must have been inherently pure due to the significant outpouring of the Holy Spirit decades earlier.

However, we must not forget that, alongside the issues Paul had to address, this was a church with many conspicuous signs of the Holy Spirit's presence. Yet, the reality is that the first century was a time of great complexity as people grappled with the profound event of the resurrection and sought to understand the true nature of Jesus. What it meant to be a follower of Christ was still in the process of being clarified.

It's worth noting that in the same passage, Paul had to confront issues such as a man involved in an inappropriate relationship with his father's wife. In another instance, he had to guide the church regarding individuals who claimed that Jesus Christ was cursed, emphasizing that the Spirit of God did not inspire such statements. In this context, Paul's counsel to the early Christians, encouraging them not to participate in pagan worship, becomes more comprehensible. While these instructions appear clear to us today because we have Paul's guidance to rely on, they were not as evident to the first-century followers of Christ, particularly those in the Corinthian church, as they navigated through these challenging issues.

Are not those who eat of the sacrifice’s partakers of the altar?

Now, let's get back to the text. In this passage, the apostle Paul speaks to the Corinthian Christians and draws a spiritual parallel by referencing the Israelites and their sacrificial practices. In some cases, when the Israelites offered sacrifices on the altar, a portion of the meat was given to the priests, who were commanded to eat it as part of the ceremony.  During the passage over, the worshipers ate the rest of the lamb as a communal meal.

Paul's point here is that those who ate of the sacrifices were considered participants or sharers on the altar. In other words, they were united in a spiritual sense with the worship and the significance of the altar.

For example:

The Jewish and Pagan practice of eating sacrificial meat.

Meat sacrificed to Yahweh  was an act of worship and devotion to the one true God, serving as a means of expressing gratitude, seeking forgiveness, or fulfilling religious obligations.

In pagan rituals, sacrifices were made to secure favor, protection, or blessings from specific idols. These sacrifices were occasionally consumed in communal feasts during religious festivals or rituals and sold in markets around the Roman world.

Temples and religious establishments often received offerings in the form of animals, which were then sacrificed to the gods. After the sacrificial rituals were performed, the meat that remained was frequently sold in local markets, and many people in the Roman empire purchased and consumed this meat as a regular part of their diet.

Is Paul contradicting himself?

In 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Paul addresses the issue of whether Christians can eat food that has been sacrificed to idols. He emphasizes that idols are nothing and that only one God exists. He also acknowledges that some Christians know and understand this issue, which might make them feel more comfortable eating such food. However, he cautions that knowledge can lead to arrogance and division, and he encourages love and consideration for those who may have weaker consciences and are troubled by eating such food. So, in this passage, Paul's main point is that knowledge should be tempered by love and consideration for others.

In our passage today, Paul continues to discuss the issue of food sacrificed to idols, however, with a strict warning to flee from idolatry, which in this case meant the practice of offering meat to demons. He clarifies that while an idol is indeed nothing, the sacrifices offered to idols by pagans are offered to demons and that participating in such sacrifices or idolatrous practices is unacceptable for Christians because it involves the worship of demons. So, in this passage, Paul's main point is to emphasize the danger of participating in idolatrous practices and the spiritual implications of such participation.

"A Matter of Conscience and a Matter of Sin"

In the present day, this passage delves into an enduring issue that continues to confront us: the distinction between matters of conscience and matters of sin. Within many contemporary church practices, these two concepts frequently intertwine.

As previously discussed, the Bible offers three distinct dimensions to define sin: firstly, as a transgression of the Mosaic law, as affirmed in 1 John 3:4, which states, "Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness." Secondly, it encompasses the failure to act by one's knowledge of what is good, as the passage states, "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." Lastly, sin extends to any action lacking a faith foundation, as elucidated in Romans 14:23, which proclaims, "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin."

Application:

Consider a scenario where you encounter food offered to idols, a practice mentioned in the Bible. From a biblical standpoint, idols are objects made of stone, wood, or metal, and there is only one true God. In this context, consuming such meat may be seen as a matter of personal conscience. It doesn't involve breaking any laws; it's simply a matter of eating cooked meat. According to Paul's teachings in the Bible, if your conscience allows you to partake in such meat in faith, you are free to do so. However, Paul underscores the importance of considering how your actions impact others. Some may find this act offensive, and in such cases, Paul suggests that love should take precedence over personal freedom.

On the contrary, idolatry has no justification, even if one comprehends that the idol holds no genuine significance. Both Jewish and Christian perspectives strictly forbid worshiping anything other than the one true God, a commandment that is explicitly mentioned in the Bible. Violating this commandment constitutes a transgression of the law, leaving no room for interpretation or debate. It is unequivocally a matter of sin, devoid of considerations related to conscience, freedom, or personal liberty. It stands as a clear and absolute violation of God's commandments.

In modern times, various denominations, churches, and individuals have crafted their definitions of sin, deviating from biblical ones. The old church phrase “We don’t drink, we don’t smoke, we don’t chew, or hang out with folks that do!” is a perfect example of what we refer to. In some instances, matters of conscience are elevated to moral concerns and sins, while in others, biblical sins, like Adultery, pornography, fornication, drunkenness, wild parties, lying, unforgiveness, pride, jealousy, personal ambition, prejudice, and hatred, are treated as matters of individual conscience. Many justify these outright violations by resting in the idea that God knows their hearts and they are saved by faith, not works. These ideas are undergirded and fortified by preachers who will assure them they are eternally secure.