of the other = that of the other. This must be a weak believer, who wished to give warning; a heathen would have no "conscience" in the matter. Here, after the parenthesis of verses: 1 Corinthians 10:26-28 , the word "conscience" is repeated from 1 Corinthians 10:25 , giving the Figure of speech Epanalepsis. App-6 . another . App-124 . read more
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but the others; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience? If 50partake with thankfulness why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?It will be remembered that Paul frequently had resort to the old diatribe manner of presenting his arguments, in which a question is raised from the viewpoint of the opponent and then devastated with a concise reply. Something of that is certainly in evidence here; and Metz caught the spirit of these verses... read more
1 Corinthians 10:29. For why is my liberty judged of— Some think that the meaning is, "Why should I use my liberty so, as to offend the conscience of any?"—Others think it is an objection in the mouth of the Corinthians, and to be thus understood: "But why should I suffer myself to be thus imposed upon, and receive law from any, where Christ has left me free?" Rather, perhaps, this and 1Co 10:30 are to be considered as comingin by way of parenthesis, to prevent the Corinthians from extending... read more
29. Conscience . . . of the other—the weak brother introduced in :-. for why is my liberty judged off another man's conscience?—Paul passes to the first person, to teach his converts by putting himself as it were in their position. The Greek terms for "the other" and "another" are distinct. "The other" is the one with whom Paul's and his Corinthian converts' concern is; "another" is any other with whom he and they have no concern. If a guest know the meat to be idol meat while I know it not, I... read more
A pagan host might warn his Christian guest that the food before him had been offered in an idol temple. The context (1 Corinthians 10:27) and the terminology (Gr. hierothyton, "sacrificial meat," rather than eidolothyton, "idol meat," the standard Jewish and Christian designation) present a situation in which a Christian is eating privately with a pagan, not in a temple, as in 1 Corinthians 8:10. Only in 1 Corinthians 10:32 does the broader principle of not giving offense to fellow believers... read more
This question resumes the thought of 1 Corinthians 10:26-27. 1 Corinthians 10:28-29 a are somewhat parenthetical being an illustration. We could restate Paul’s thought this way. Why should another person’s scruples determine my liberty? The answer is, They should because his spiritual welfare is more important than my Christian freedom. read more
10:29 liberty (e-17) 'Are lawful' is the verb, of which exousia , the word translated 'right' or 'liberty' in ch. 8.9, and 'power' in Matthew 10:1 , is the noun. The word translated 'liberty' in v. 29 is different, and is opposed to 'bondage,' as in John 8:32 ,John 8:36 ; 2 Corinthians 3:17 ; Galatians 5:13 . read more
(b) Food offered to Idols(iii) Historical Illustrations and Practical AdviceSt. Paul has been speaking of the need of earnestness and self-discipline, and the danger of failure; he now holds out the fate of the Israelites as a warning against self-confidence. The Corinthians were tempted to the very same sins for which Israel suffered.All of the Israelites received great blessings from God, types of the sacramental privileges Christians enjoy, yet most of them perished in the wilderness because... read more
(29) Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other.—In the previous verse there is nothing to indicate that the obligation not to eat the meat under such circumstances arises from a consideration of the tenderness of the other’s conscience. Here any danger of mistake as to whose conscience is meant is removed. Of course (says St. Paul) I mean his conscience, not yours. For no other man’s scruples are to bind my conscience. While the opinion or weakness of another is never to make my... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Consideration of fellow believers (10:23-11:1)Some things that are allowable are not helpful. If Christians think of others before they think of themselves, they will refrain from certain things in case others copy them and are weakened spiritually as a result (23-24).The Corinthians should understand that the reason why they must not join in idol feasts is that eating involves fellowship with the idol and its demons. It is not that the physical properties of the food are in any way changed.... read more