Useful Bible Studies > 1 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 10
When you are a guest in someone else’s home, do not argue about food. Instead, eat whatever that person provides for you. That is good manners. It is also the right way for a Christian to behave. Christians should respect people who are not Christians. And that is especially true when someone shows special kindness to a Christian.
In 1 Corinthians 10:27, someone has invited the Christian for a meal. There may be an opportunity for the Christian to speak about God at that meal. Even if not, the Christian can still show something about God’s goodness by the way that he behaves. So, the Christian should have a grateful attitude. He should behave in a humble manner. And his words and actions should express kindness and goodness.
A loyal Christian would not want to eat food that someone has offered to a false god. But on such an occasion, it does not seem right to ask about this matter. A question like that could offend the person who invited the Christian. It would be difficult to provide a different meal for a Christian guest. The person who invited the Christian intended to show kindness to that Christian. Unless it was really necessary, it would not be right to refuse that kindness. The Christian accepted the invitation, so he should accept the meal too.
Before the meal, the Christian should pray, even if he must do it silently. Someone may have offered that food to a false god, so the Christian should ask God to protect him. Also, the Christian should thank God for the food, because God provides all our food (10:26).
Next part: What should a Christian do if he has to refuse food? (1 Corinthians 10:28)
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© 2014, Keith Simons.