Tuesday 14 March 2023

Psalm 18:1-19

Background

Ever since I studied 1 Corinthians at university, this passage has challenged me. It asks a critical question, which at its centre focuses on freedom and responsibility. How is it possible to live in freedom, but not cause hurt to others? For Paul this issue centres upon the behaviour of the Christians in Corinth and their attitude to other members of the faith community. Paul writes the letter because the Christians in Corinth have got themselves in a mess. The interesting fact, and why the letter is so good, is people still get into the same sort of messes.

Although the passage is about eating food that can cause people to fall, the real question revolves around how the community lives with the weaker sibling. Does the fact that an individual finds one part of the faith harder than others mean that every other member has to recognise this and live their lives in view of this weakness? Is this what Paul means when he is prepared not to eat meat in v. 13? I don’t think that is the case. My view is that the weaker member is not the prophetic voice that demands change but the voice of one young and growing in faith.

The issue here is best described by the Greek word adiaphora — a Greek word meaning ‘things neither commanded nor forbidden’. The eating of meat previously offered to an idol is not something that is prohibited, but that doesn’t mean it should be embraced without regard to others.

Paul, like Peter in Acts 10:9-16 knew and kept the Jewish food laws. But he also knew that faith in Christ gives the freedom to live differently. Clearly some in Corinth made the most of that freedom. Paul’s answer is simple. His own lifestyle and the action of the Corinthians should not cause a sibling to fall (v. 13). Paul’s overriding concern is the call to love one another. Over everything is the need to love. The freedom the gospel gives does not exempt us from the responsibility to love. 

To Ponder:

• How do you understand living with freedom and responsibility?
• What are the situations of today that his passage speaks to?

 Prayer

Lord, may all that I do today build others up and not pull them down.