1 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 10.
Conduct Toward the Weak. 1 Cor. 10, 14–33.
The Christian principles involved: V. 22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? V. 23. All things are lawful for me, but all thing's are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. V. 24. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
The apostle here mentions a thought that may have been found in the hearts of some of the Corinthians: Is it that we want to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Was that the idea which made them partake at both tables? Should Christians venture upon such a course? Compare Deuteronomy 32, 21. They may be assured that the Lord would be apt to feel the most intense displeasure at such an evidence of adulterous love on their part.
And: Are we stronger than He? Shall we presume to risk His displeasure to that extent? Can we avert the power of His wrath? The very fact that Paul included himself in the question was to encourage and admonish his readers to stand on his side and answer with an emphatic: Nevermore!
But he also urges a consideration which he has brought once before: All things are in my power, but all things are not expedient, not advantageous, if the welfare of my neighbor is taken into account. Between having the right to do a certain thing and insisting upon making use of this right at all times and under all circumstances there is a great difference.
And again: All things are in my power, but not do they all edify. An act which I know to be right and good may be considered highly improper by a weak brother, and therefore my doing it will result in his being offended instead of his being furthered in piety and righteous living. Compare chapter 6, 12.
To go ahead at all times without exercising charitable care, in conceited security, may result in endangering a fellow-Christian's immortal soul.
But a basic principle of Christian love is: Let no one seek his own interest or benefit, but rather that of the other, of his neighbor, of his Christian brother. To make one's own enjoyment, one's own rights, one's own liberty the sole and paramount consideration, regardless of the good of others, is the essence of selfishness, a violation of the great law of love. Even things indifferent become sinful when they result in detriment to one's neighbor.