Warning Against Idolatry

1Now I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,

2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

3and all ate the same spiritual food,

4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were drinking from that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

5Nevertheless, with the majority of them God was not pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

6Now these things took place as examples for us, in order that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7Neither be idolaters, just as some of them; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”

8Neither let us commit sexual immorality, just as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;

9neither let us tempt Christ, just as also some of them tempted Him, and were destroyed by serpents;

10nor murmur, just as also some of them murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

11Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction, to whom the ends of the ages have come.

12So then, let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall!

13No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way out, so as for you to be able to bear it.

14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

15I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.

16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17Because we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake from the one bread.

18Look at Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?

20No, but that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not desire that you should have fellowship with demons.

21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons.

22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

Do All to the Glory of God

23All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.

24Let no one seek his own concerns, but let each one seek another's concern.

25Eat everything being sold in the meat market, questioning nothing, for conscience' sake;

26for “The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness.”

27And if any of the unbelievers invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, questioning nothing, for conscience' sake.

28But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for his conscience' sake; for “The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness.”

29“Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my freedom judged by another man's conscience?

30But if I partake with thanks, why am I defamed for that of which I give thanks?

31Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.

32Be without offense, both toward Jews and toward Greeks, and toward the church of God,

33just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.