1 Corinthians 10:23
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The repeated phrase "All things are lawful" isn't just stating a fact; it's a subtle echo of the very arguments the Corinthians were likely using to justify their actions. Paul seizes their own slogan and immediately flips it, showing how a simple freedom can become dangerous when it ignores whether something actually benefits us or strengthens our community in Christ.
Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's confusion about participating in pagan temple feasts. He's already explained that while idols are nothing, participating can still be harmful because it can cause weaker believers to stumble or give the wrong impression. This verse is his way of saying that just because something isn't technically forbidden, it doesn't mean it's wise or beneficial for the community.
We’re free in Christ, right? But what does that really mean when faced with everyday choices? Paul drops a powerful distinction here that changes everything.
Paul starts by quoting a common slogan of his day: 'All things are lawful.' This points to the freedom believers have from the Mosaic Law. We aren't under its ceremonial or dietary rules anymore. We are free!
But Paul immediately adds a crucial qualifier: 'not all things are helpful.' Freedom isn't a license to do whatever we want, regardless of the consequences. Our choices have ripple effects.
Freedom is amazing, but what's the ultimate goal? Paul gives us another vital test for our choices: Does it build up?
The second part of the verse introduces another key principle: 'All things are lawful, but not all things build up.' While 'helpful' looks at the benefit of an action, 'build up' focuses on its constructive quality, particularly in relation to the community of faith.
This 'building up' is about spiritual edification – strengthening believers, encouraging their faith, and promoting unity within the church. It's about contributing to the spiritual health of the body of Christ.
Understand the original words
exestin · Greek Adjective/Verb phrase
Having the authority or permission to do something; in this context, it refers to the freedom believers have under grace, often cited by the Corinthians to justify their behaviors.
sumpherō · Greek Adjective
That which contributes to the welfare, spiritual growth, or benefit of others; in a Christian context, it relates to actions that align with God's purpose for believers.
oikodomeō · Greek Verb
Literally 'to build a house'; metaphorically, it describes the process of edifying, strengthening, or maturing the church and fellow believers in their faith.
The Corinthian believers, a mix of Jewish and Gentile backgrounds, struggled to discern how their newfound freedom in Christ intersected with deeply ingrained cultural practices, particularly concerning food sacrificed to idols and social customs.
c. AD 50-52
Paul Founds Church in Corinth
The Apostle Paul establishes a Christian community in the bustling, cosmopolitan Roman city of Corinth during his second missionary journey.
c. AD 53-57— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul pens this letter in response to reports about divisions and various problems within the Corinthian church, addressing issues like worship, conduct, and theological misunderstandings.
Early 1st century AD
Prevalence of Idolatry
Corinth was a center of pagan worship, with temples and numerous shrines dedicated to various gods, influencing daily life and social customs.
Early 1st century AD
Graeco-Roman Philosophical Thought
The influence of Hellenistic philosophies, some emphasizing freedom and asceticism, permeated the intellectual climate and may have contributed to the Corinthians' varying views on Christian practice.
This passage echoes 1 Corinthians 10:23 by urging believers to focus on not causing others to stumble in their faith, shifting the emphasis from personal liberty to communal impact.
Galatians 5:13It highlights that freedom in Christ is not an excuse for sin but a call to serve one another in love, reinforcing the idea that true liberty leads to building others up, not just personal indulgence.
Philippians 2:3-4This text instructs believers to look not only to their own interests but also to the interests of others, which directly relates to the principle of 'building up' found in 1 Corinthians 10:23.
1 Corinthians 8:1Paul addresses the issue of eating food sacrificed to idols, reiterating that while knowledge puffs up, love builds up, directly connecting the theme of 'helpfulness' and 'building up' to the Corinthian context.
The repeated phrase "All things are lawful" isn't just stating a fact; it's a subtle echo of the very arguments the Corinthians were likely using to justify their actions. Paul seizes their own slogan and immediately flips it, showing how a simple freedom can become dangerous when it ignores whether something actually benefits us or strengthens our community in Christ.
Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's confusion about participating in pagan temple feasts. He's already explained that while idols are nothing, participating can still be harmful because it can cause weaker believers to stumble or give the wrong impression. This verse is his way of saying that just because something isn't technically forbidden, it doesn't mean it's wise or beneficial for the community.
Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's confusion about participating in pagan temple feasts. He's already explained that while idols are nothing, participating can still be harmful because it can cause weaker believers to stumble or give the wrong impression. This verse is his way of saying that just because something isn't forbidden, it doesn't mean it's wise or beneficial for the community.
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"“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up." — The repeated phrase "All things are lawful" isn't just stating a fact; it's a subtle echo of the very arguments the Corinthians were likely using to justify their actions. Paul seizes their own sloga…
