Warnings from Israel’s Past
1 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud; and everyone passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 Everyone ate the same spiritual food, 4 and everyone drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5 However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were an example to us, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written,
“The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” a
8 Let us not commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day 23,000 fell. 9 Let us not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents. 10 Do not grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands, be careful that he does not fall.
13 No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able to withstand, but will, with the temptation, also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Flee from Idolatry
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a sharing of the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread. 18 Consider Israel according to the flesh. Do those who eat the sacrifices not participate in the altar?
19 What am I saying then? That food that is sacrificed to idols is anything or that an idol is anything? 20 But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I do not desire that you would have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink both the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake both of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Do All to the Glory of God
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. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but each one his neighbor’s good. 25 Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience, 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness.” b
27 But if one of those who do not 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. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. 29 By “conscience” I mean not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my freedom judged by another conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for something for which I give thanks?
31 Whether, therefore, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no occasion for stumbling, whether to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the masses, that they may be saved.