Read & explore together
All to God’s Glory
Paul teaches that Christian freedom is real, yet freedom is not the only question. In everyday choices such as eating and drinking, he directs believers to seek what helps others and brings glory to God.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of 1 Corinthians is written as letter and teaching. Paul discusses sayings about what is lawful, then applies that discussion to food, conscience, other people’s good, and the aim of God’s glory. He finishes by urging care toward different groups and the good of many.
1 Corinthians 10:23–33Main takeaway
Believers should use their freedom in ways that seek others’ good, avoid causing offence, and honour God in ordinary decisions.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Freedom must also be usefulPaul begins with a repeated saying about what is lawful, then adds two limits. Not everything is profitable, and not everything builds up.
Explanation
Paul begins with a repeated saying about what is lawful, then adds two limits. Not everything is profitable, and not everything builds up. He immediately explains the right direction for choice: do not seek your own good alone, but your neighbour’s good. Freedom is measured by love, not by permission only.
02Ordinary food can be received simplyPaul says food sold in the butcher shop may be eaten without asking questions for conscience’s sake.
Explanation
Paul says food sold in the butcher shop may be eaten without asking questions for conscience’s sake. He gives a reason from Scripture: the earth and its fullness belong to the Lord. The same principle is applied to a meal in an unbeliever’s home if a believer chooses to go.
03When a warning is given, think of the other personIf someone says the food was offered to idols, Paul says not to eat it. The issue is not that your own conscience has suddenly changed, but the conscience of the person who raised it.
Explanation
If someone says the food was offered to idols, Paul says not to eat it. The issue is not that your own conscience has suddenly changed, but the conscience of the person who raised it. Paul recognises liberty and thankfulness, yet asks believers to limit their action for another person’s sake.
04The goal is God’s glory and others’ goodPaul gathers the whole teaching into one rule: whether eating, drinking, or doing anything else, do all to God’s glory.
Explanation
Paul gathers the whole teaching into one rule: whether eating, drinking, or doing anything else, do all to God’s glory. This includes giving no occasion for stumbling to Jews, Greeks, or God’s assembly. Paul presents his own pattern as seeking not personal profit, but the profit of many for their salvation.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two tests does Paul add to the claim that something is lawful?
Look for the words Paul pairs with lawful and notice how they guide choices beyond permission alone.
02Why does Paul sometimes say to eat without asking questions, yet in another case says not to eat?
Compare the ordinary situations in verses 25 and 27 with the special situation in verse 28, and note whose conscience matters in verse 29.
03How wide is Paul’s instruction to glorify God?
Notice the examples he gives and the phrase that shows this reaches beyond food issues.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Corinthians 10:23–33
23“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up.
24Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor’s good.
25Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience,
26for “the earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness.”
27But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience.
28But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, with all its fullness.”
29Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?
30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for something I give thanks for?
31Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32Give no occasion for stumbling, whether to Jews, to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;
33even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.