What does “all things are lawful, but not expedient” mean in this passage?

When Paul says, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient,” he is talking about things that are allowed for a Christian, like what they eat or drink. In Christ there is real freedom, but not everything that is allowed is wise, helpful, or loving. “Not expedient” means it may not be good for you or others spiritually. So a believer should not only ask, “Is this allowed?” but also, “Will this build up others? Will it help, or will it hurt someone’s faith?”

What does it mean to seek another’s wealth instead of your own?

When Paul says, “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth,” he is not telling people to steal or ignore their own needs. He is urging believers to care more about the spiritual and practical good of others than about their own rights and comfort. Here “wealth” points to what is truly good for the other person. In choices about food, drink, and social events, a Christian should be ready to give up some freedom if it helps protect or strengthen someone else’s conscience.

Why does Paul say to eat what is sold in the market without asking questions?

Paul tells believers to eat whatever is sold in the meat market without asking if it was offered to idols. The reason is that the food itself belongs to God, who made the earth and everything in it. By not asking, they avoid needless worry and do not stir up doubts in their own hearts or in others. This shows that idols are nothing, and ordinary meals do not have to become spiritual problems, as long as a believer is not knowingly joining in idol worship or harming another person’s conscience.

Why should Christians stop eating if told food was offered to idols?

If someone says, “This is offered in sacrifice unto idols,” Paul tells the believer not to eat, “for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake.” The problem is not the meat itself, but what it might mean to the person who spoke. Eating could look like agreeing with idol worship or ignoring their concern. By refusing, the believer shows that honoring God and caring about another person’s conscience matters more than using their own freedom. It is an act of love to protect the other from confusion or stumbling.

What does it mean to do all to the glory of God in this passage?

When Paul says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,” he brings everything together. Even the most ordinary actions, like meals and drinks, should be done in a way that honors God. In this context, it means choosing what to eat or not eat, where to go or not go, with God’s honor and others’ good in mind. A believer should ask, “Does this please God? Does this show respect for him? Does this help others toward faith, or turn them away?”

Why does Paul tell believers to give no offence to Jews, Gentiles, or the church of God?

Paul warns, “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God,” because careless use of freedom can become a stumbling block. Jews, Gentiles, and fellow Christians all watch how believers live. If a Christian’s choices in eating, drinking, or social events lead others to misunderstand the gospel or fall back into sin, that harms God’s work. Paul is not saying to change the message to please people, but to order our behavior so that nothing in us needlessly pushes people away from salvation.

Why does Paul ask, “Why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?”

Paul’s question, “Why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?” shows a tension. On one hand, his freedom in Christ is real, and another person’s scruples do not change what is clean before God. On the other hand, he is ready to limit his liberty in love. He does not mean others truly rule his conscience. Instead, he is arguing that, since he gives thanks to God for what he eats, it is sad if that thankful act leads others to speak evil. So he chooses the path that avoids harm to weaker consciences.

How does Paul’s own example in this passage guide believers today?

Paul says he tries to “please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” He shows a pattern: he lays aside his own preferences if that will help others hear and receive the message about Christ. For believers today, this means using freedom carefully, thinking about how choices look to others, and being willing to give up certain rights for the sake of someone’s faith. The goal is not self-pleasing, but helping many come closer to salvation.

How can a Christian apply these verses about eating and drinking to modern life?

These verses speak about food offered to idols, but the principle reaches many areas. Whenever a Christian has freedom in a doubtful matter, the questions are similar: Will this build others up? Could this trouble someone’s conscience or lead them back into sin? Could it confuse people about what it means to follow Christ? Applying this means being ready to say no to something you are allowed to do, if doing it might harm another’s walk with God. Everyday decisions are shaped by love, not just by personal rights.

1Cor.10.23

1 Corinthians 10:23

KJV

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

All to God’s Glory

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.