Lesson 22 – 1 Corinthians Chapter 10:24-33 & Chapter 11:1-9
Last time we met, Paul reminded us that when it comes to temptation, there’s nothing new under the sun. Are things different from 7,000 years ago? Absolutely, but we know that the temptations we face today are the same as yesteryear, except now the temptations simply come in different packaging.
Giving in to temptation is something we all struggle with, but God promises us that with every temptation comes a way out of it. Giving in to temptation is a sin, but remember, we always have the choice not to sin.
One sure way not to fall into temptation is to always walk in obedience.
We also talked about idolatry, and how God hates it. Idolatry is more than worshipping some kind of carved image, it’s allowing someone or something to take precedence over God. In a world filled with lots of bright and shiny things, idolatry is a very real danger for Christians today.
We closed out our last message on how “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” (vs 23) This is a declaration of Christian liberty and freedom, but along with these freedoms comes the need for wisdom and responsibility.
It turns out that the key phrase in verse 23 is, “But not all things edify.” As Christians, we have been freed from the power of sin, thus giving us the freedom to live for Christ. Living for Christ is something that is edifying to us, in that, it will build us up, making us more mature in our faith.
The immature believer will read into the phrase “all things are lawful” as having card blanche, that anything goes. We know at its core that this is coming from a fleshly desire.
1 Cor. 10:24:
“Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.”
Jesus says to us, “love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
This takes us back to being aware of the needs of those around us. That even if something is edifying for us, we might have to make adjustments in our choices, as to whether or not what we are doing has a negative effect on another person.
We have to ask ourselves, will someone’s faith be compromised if they follow in our footsteps? Making adjustments in what we will do or not do really depends on how it would affect someone else. A willingness to do this is showing love for our brothers and sisters.
Phil. 2:3-5:
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,”
This is a perfect example of using our Christian freedoms in the affirmative, whereas a worldly perception would be, “It’s every man for himself,” or “Get them before they get you.” The world is very good at as Paul says, seeking his own good.
When we show that we care about the good of our neighbor, this becomes a very good witness for people to see, and a way to spread Christ’s gospel.
1 Cor. 10:25-26:
“Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains.”
This pretty much is saying, when you go to the market (or the shambles), relax, you don’t have to be worried if the meat has been offered to idols or not, you know that it’s just meat. As this applies to us today, I’m pretty sure you won’t find sacrificed meat at King Soopers. There are freedoms when it comes to the things we eat.
Acts 10:15 [God tells us there’s no restrictions on food]:
“But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.”
Psalm 24:1:
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.”
1 Tim. 4:4-5 (NLT):
“Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.”
The Corinthian believers could relax now that Paul has reaffirmed that meat is just meat, even though some pagan might have prayed over it.
1 Cor. 10:27:
“If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake.”
The same thing applies here, if you want to accept an invitation to someone’s home to eat, “mangia” eat and enjoy, you don’t have to ask any embarrassing questions. This is our freedom; the only time it isn’t, is when it offends someone else.
Gal. 5:1:
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
1 Cor. 10:28:
“But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake;”
Paul is laying out a hypothetical situation for us. What should our reaction be to this hypothetical? We should tailor our actions to where it will benefit the person we are with, and not insisting on our personal freedoms.
1 Cor. 10:29:
“I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience?”
One Bible commentary says, “We are to modify our actions for the sake of others, but we are not to modify our conscience. The legalism of a weaker brother should not make us legalistic, only gracious.”
This might seem a little foreign to us because eating meat offered to idols is never an issue for us, but the principle is there for us… be careful how we exercise our freedoms before other believers, and make sure we don’t cause someone to stumble.
1 Cor. 10:30:
“If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?”
Paul will answer this question in the following verses. The short answer is, we have the freedom to eat or not eat, but when it comes to others, we enjoy the freedom of showing God’s grace to someone who needs it.
1 Cor. 10:31:
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
We talked about this last time when I asked the question, “What is our main purpose in life?” Our main purpose in life is to glorify God.
Now, we can’t add to God’s glory, but we can honor Him by always trusting Him, serving Him, thanking Him, praying to Him, being willing to suffer for Him, and telling others about Him. So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
This is definitely a life action verse for us. We can drill it down to the phrase; whatever you do… this covers everything under the sun in our life.
• In the things I’m doing, can I give thanks to the Lord in it?
• In everything I do, will God be glorified in the end?
If the answer is “no” to either of these questions, then we should question as to whether or not we should be doing it at all… let the Holy Spirit be your guide.
When we are under the heat and pressure of temptation, and we choose God’s way of escape, that brings glory to God. When we see an opportunity to curtail our freedoms in order to help another brother or sister, that also brings glory to God.
Every once in a while, it’s good for us to do a spiritual inventory, and ask ourselves the hard question, “Am I really living for God or am I living for myself?”
1 Cor. 10:32:
“Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God.”
This simple statement basically covers all of humanity. Paul says, don’t give offence to any of them. We are sojourners passing through this world, but we have a responsibility to be model citizens while we’re passing through… remember, we are citizens of heaven. Let the way we live be a reflection of that.
Don’t give offense (aproskopos) a metaphor of not leading others to sin by one’s manner of life… don’t be a bad example.
Phil. 1:10-11:
“For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation… the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ… for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”
Don’t give offense… means live pure and blameless lives. You might be thinking, “That’s an awfully tall order, I find myself falling short.” Most of us do, but we’re to take one day at a time, and if we do fall short, that’s where God’s grace comes flooding in.
Phil. 4:13:
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Jon Courson, “Like a weather vane that changes direction, depending upon which way the wind is blowing, the wise man will adjust his activities to the way the wind of the Spirit is moving.”
Being filled with the fruit of your salvation will produce an image that people will be drawn to.
1 Cor. 10:33:
“Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.”
I would describe this as Paul’s resume, he was always willing to be all things to all people… whatever anyone required from him he would do just that. Paul wasn’t in it for the money, he was in it for God, and all his life’s actions were so that people could be saved. As I’ve said before, we would do well to imitate Paul, he is the perfect example for us to follow.
1 Cor. 9:23:
“I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”
Paul was willing to do anything to bring people to Christ!
CHAPTER 11
1 Cor. 11:1:
“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”
Paul comes right out and just says it, be imitators of me. To me, this tells me that Paul is comfortable in his own skin. It also tells me, that he has a totally clear conscience before the Lord, which is what it takes to say something like that.
As we continue to ride the rails on this “holy train” headed for heaven, we become more Christlike in our personality and in character. There should come a time in our life when we can say to our kids, our family, our neighbors… follow me, do what I’m doing.
Following Paul will keep us on the right track. (pun intended 😊)
Just as I also am of Christ…
Paul knew that the One who perfectly demonstrated a love for God and a love for others was Christ.
I think it’s safe to say that Paul was the president of the Jesus fan club.
Acts 20:24 (NLT):
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus… the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”
Phil. 2:3-5 [wisdom from Paul for us to also be Christlike]:
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,”
Jesus set an extraordinary example of compassion, kindness, and selflessness… all in the name of love. Paul imitated Jesus, thus we should imitate Jesus as well.
1 Cor. 11:2
“Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.”
Paul had history with the Corinthians, he had been with them five years earlier, and he’s kind of stating the obvious, that they remember him. The word remember used here just means to be continually remembering.
As the Corinthians continue to remember Paul, they also recognize his authority as an apostle and his godly wisdom.
The Corinthians were holding firmly to the traditions…
2 Thess. 2:15:
“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.”
Paul, who they accepted as their church leader, was the one that brought them divinely inspired teachings. As we know, the Corinthians were believers but they had issues, they knew of the church doctrines, but they still had problems. When it came to living out what they were taught, they were receiving a failing grade.
Very tactfully, Paul lifts them up in the strengths they had by saying I praise you for remembering, before he again points out their weaknesses. One of those weaknesses was the different functions of men and women in the church.
1 Cor. 11:3:
“But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.”
But I want you to understand…
Paul is going to introduce them to something that might be somewhat foreign to them.
As we study what Paul is saying here, it’s important that we understand the Greek culture going on at this time.
Women in the ancient Greek world had very few rights in comparison to male citizens. They were unable to vote, own land, or inherit, a woman’s place was basically in the home and her purpose in life was the raising of children.
When it came to women in the ranks of society, they were considered as second-class citizens. In fact, most were only used in the realm of prostitution.
That Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ…
Some might interpret this as a pecking order: which is an informal social system in which some people or groups know they are more or less important than others.
I really don’t agree according to the phrasing of this definition. For one, everyone in God’s kingdom is important. However, this Scripture has a godly order to it, so let’s break it down.
That Christ is the head of every man…
The word head (kef-a-lay’) means; anything supreme, chief, or prominent. We can also say, that it refers to the ruling and sovereign part of the body. This is easily understood when talking about the Body of Christ.
Eph. 1:22-23:
“And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Jesus is the head of the church… it’s His church!
Col. 1:18:
“He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”
Jesus is our all in all, He has supreme authority over the entire universe, which also goes without saying, over every human being as well.
Matthew 28:18:
“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
There are millions, if not billions of people in this world who do not recognize Christ’s authority, in fact many even deny His existence.
Hebrews 2:9 (NLT):
“What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because He suffered death for us, He is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.”
The world can kick and scream all it wants, just like the corrupt liberals are doing right now, saying there is no God and there is no hell. Their day of reckoning is coming.
Phil. 2:9-11:
“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Yes, Jesus is the head over every man.
All who submit to His preeminence and authority make up the church… the body of Christ, and all those who rail against His power and authority represent the world.
And the man is the head of a woman…
Ladies, if this this phrase makes you bristle just a little bit, it’s because satan wants you to feel that way, this has been part of his plan ever since the garden… to place a wedge between man and woman.
Gen. 3:16:
“To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you will bring forth children; yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Bible commentary says, “The principle of subordination and authority applies to all men and women, not just husbands and wives. It extends beyond the family to all aspects of society. That is the basic order of creation. That is the way God planned and created mankind; it is the way He made us.”
When it comes to women fitting into the church body, it isn’t a question of superiority or inferiority, but it is based on their humility and liberty.
John MacArthur writes, “A church may have some women who are better Bible students, better theologians, and better speakers than any of the men, including the pastor. But if those women are obedient to God’s order they will submit to male leadership and will not try to usurp it… simply because that is God’s design. A wife may be better educated, better taught in the Scripture, and more spiritually mature than her husband. But because she is spiritual, she will willingly submit to him as head of the family.”
It’s God’s plan that in the home and the church, the men should exercise headship over women under the authority of Jesus Christ.
And God is the head of Christ…
John 4:34:
“Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
John 5:30:
“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
John 6:38:
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
From eternity past, Jesus has never been inferior to the Father. In essence, they are both the same… they are God. When Jesus left His throne and came down to this earth, He willingly subjected Himself to His Father by becoming our Savior and Redeemer. What was the motivating factor? Love, Jesus did it all for love.
You see, as the man is over the woman, and Christ is over man… and the Father is over Jesus, the only thing that gives this true meaning and purpose is “love.” If you take love out of the equation it all falls apart.
I think the real elephant in the room is the efforts of satan, working to destroy the family unit, whispering in the ears of women, “Don’t let him think he is the boss of you, you’re better than that… remember you have your rights.”
We’re okay with Jesus being over man and the Father over Jesus, but pit man against the woman, and the sparks begin to fly. The solution to this is love.
If a husband exercised his authority over his wife with an attitude of love and not tyranny, their relationship would flourish… and that’s just how God designed it. Unfortunately, sin rears its ugly head at times and throws a stick in the spokes.
Men do not have authority over women because of some kind of special ability, or that they might be bigger or stronger, nor greater in value, but simply because of God’s wise design and loving will. We must adhere to God’s order in creation.
1 Cor. 11:4:
“Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head.”
This is a difficult passage to divide in that we’re dealing with local customs at this time. In the Corinthian society, a man praying or prophesying “without” a head covering was a sign of his authority over women, who were expected to have their heads covered in these ministries.
The context here implies that in Corinth, such a head covering would’ve been totally ridiculous for a man and completely proper for a woman.
We know what praying is, it’s us communing with God.
Prophesying is talking to people about God. Prophecy at its most basic definition is “a message from God.” So, to prophesy is to proclaim a message from God.
A preacher or pastor today fulfills a prophetic role to the extent that he proclaims and explains the written Word of God. However, pastors are never called “prophets” in the New Testament. A pastor can confidently say, “Thus saith the Lord,” if he follows it up with chapter and verse. Unfortunately, some pastors assume a prophetic facade and make pronouncements that are not from God but from their own imaginations… they should be rejected.
First Corinthians 12 to 14 is the longest New Testament passage relating to prophecy, so we will wait until we get there to do a deep dive into prophesying.
1 Cor. 11:5-6:
“But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.”
Again, in this text, we’re dealing with culture and customs, but ladies, I do have some head coverings in the back for $19.95, and if you act now, you’ll get a free burka! 😊
At this time, there were different ways to signify the woman’s subordinate relationship to men, particularly of wives and husbands. This mostly involved the wearing of a veil, or some describe it as, wearing a hood over their heads.
Years ago in the Catholic church, women would wear a scarf or some kind of lace veil on their head… they were called mantillas.
Today, in the Middle East, women have lost their lives because they didn’t wear a head covering in public. In the early 1980s, the new Islamic authorities imposed a mandatory dress code that required all women to wear the hijab.
The Corinthian women who appeared in the assembly without a head covering were actually putting themselves on the same level as prostitutes by doing this. In contrast, the prostitutes wore their hair very short, and they didn’t wear head coverings. It’s not enclosed in this text, but the women were also expected to have long hair… to have short hair was considered a disgrace.
So what it comes down to is, the way a woman presented herself with her hair or head covering, announced to others what they were offering.
Let her also have her hair cut off…
To paraphrase Paul, he might say, “If you’re going to abandon the covering, then why not go all the way and cut off your hair too?”
In Jewish law, a woman who was proved guilty of adultery had her hair cut off. (Num. 5)
Paul says there’s a better option… let her cover her head.
1 Cor. 11:7:
“For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.”
For a man ought not to have his head covered…
The man was not to cover his head, that would be a sign of subordination. For a man to have his head covered like a woman would be a total disgrace.
Today, when you see a man dressing like a woman, what is your perception of him? It’s certainly not his moral character, mental health, or spiritual maturity… he is a societal disgrace.
Since he is the image and glory of God…
Gen 1:26:
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Man was given domination and authority over God’s created world, and it is by that fact he is the glory of God.
But the woman is the glory of man…
Both the man and woman are made in the image of God and for the glory of God; but since the woman was made from man, she is also the glory of man.
1 Cor. 11:8:
“For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;”
Gen. 2:22-23:
“The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
John MacArthur writes, “The point is that man shows how magnificent a creature God can create from Himself, while the woman shows how magnificent a creature God can create from man.”
1 Tim. 2:11-13:
“A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.”
1 Cor. 11:9:
“For indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.”
Another pastor says, “Dear married sister, seeing yourself not as your husband’s ‘competitor’ but as his ‘completer,’ is where you will find your greatest fulfillment.”
Gen. 2:18:
“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
Let’s close with this…
A woman is not intellectually, morally, spiritually, or functionally in any way inferior to man. We can say she is unique to man… she is irreplaceable to him. The wife completes her husband. In this completeness, the marriage then becomes a mutual union that brings glory to God.
The woman’s role is to come under the leadership, protection, and care of man, and she is to be “a helper suitable for him.”
Along with many of His traits, we serve a God of order. When we live in accordance to God’s order, life seems to flow in a direction of peace. Remember, it’s love that binds the order of God.