IV.
After your initial reading (probably a re-reading) of this passage what freedoms do you hear Paul mention or imply?

V.
1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 (NRSVue)

“All things are permitted,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage but that of many, so that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

VI.
What does lead us to consider?

Certainly food, and food rituals. Of course that includes what we drink or do not drink. When he speaks of being invited to share a meal with an “unbeliever,” he addresses hospitality and friendship, I think.

All this with the underlying theme of “freedom.” It seems to me Paul takes our “freedom” in Christ seriously.

But then there is the other side of our freedom.

“Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other.”

How does he apply that to eating, drinking and hospitality?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}