You Could… But Should You?

Paul’s treatment of Corinthian freedom reframes a culture of “you could” into a sober practice of “should you.” The Corinthian slogan “All things are lawful” serves as a starting point for three clarifying questions: does it benefit the believer, does it build up others, and does it bring glory to God. The first question moves the conversation beyond mere permissibility to spiritual flourishing, urging attention to conscience, the danger of being dominated by pleasures or habits, and the emptiness of testing how close one can get to sin. Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 6 are invoked to show that actions that violate conviction or enslave the heart disqualify themselves as truly helpful.

The second question redirects freedom toward the family of faith and the watching world. The image of building up—a word that literally evokes constructing a house—orders choices by their constructive effect on others. Paul’s marketplace example about meat sold after pagan sacrifices illustrates how the same act can be appropriate in one context and damaging in another: eat freely when conscience is clear and no one’s faith is at stake; refrain when another’s conviction would be harmed. Practical applications include decisions about alcohol, social media, dress, and public gatherings. The COVID reopening deliberations demonstrate how love can rightly temper liberty when vulnerable neighbors and witness to outsiders weigh heavily.

The third question places every act under the ultimate purpose: God’s glory. Whether eating, drinking, or any other freedom, the decisive criterion becomes honoring and reflecting God so that barriers to faith fall away rather than multiply. Paul’s call to avoid being a stumbling block to Jews, Greeks, and the church reframes liberty as missional responsibility: freedom should never become the reason someone rejects Christ.

Jesus provides the pattern: possessing every right, he chose sacrificial service to secure salvation. Imitation of that life reshapes desire from “what can be done” to “what ought to be done.” Living with increasing proximity to Jesus reorders freedoms toward holiness, love, and witness—choosing what one should do, not merely what one could do.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Freedom evaluated by spiritual benefit Freedom means more than legal permissibility; it must serve spiritual growth. An action that requires convincing the conscience or that leaves the heart restless signals a failure of benefit. Avoid measuring Christian maturity by daring proximity to sin; choose practices that nourish faith rather than merely exploit freedom.
• 2. Love redirects liberty for others Liberty finds its proper shape when oriented toward the welfare of the family of faith and the watching world. Withholding an otherwise allowable act can become an act of spiritual protection and gospel service. Sensitivity to another’s conscience safeguards their walk with Christ without surrendering truth.
• 3. Live everything for God's glory Every choice becomes an avenue for witness when evaluated by its capacity to honor God. Glory-focused decisions subordinate personal rights to the mission of removing obstacles to faith. The telos of freedom is not self-assertion but reflecting the Savior who laid down rights for others’ salvation.
• 4. Conscience guides faithful decision-making Conscience functions as a moral barometer: acting from doubt makes an action sinful rather than neutral. Christians must both guard their own convictions and heed the convictions of others when those convictions affect communal faith. Listening to conscience keeps freedom from becoming harm.

Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (ESV)

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

**Observation questions**

1. What two phrases does Paul quote from the Corinthian believers in verse 23, and what two clarifying statements does he add to them?
2. According to verses 25-27, what is the default instruction for a believer regarding food in a marketplace or at a non-believer’s home?
3. What specific condition, described in verse 28, changes the instruction and leads Paul to say, “then do not eat it”?
4. What is the ultimate purpose for every action, as stated in verse 31?

**Interpretation questions**

1. Paul shifts the focus from seeking "my own good" to seeking "the good of my neighbor" in verse 24. What does this shift imply about the purpose of Christian freedom?
2. The instruction changes based on whether information about the meat's origin is offered (v. 28). Why does someone else's knowledge about the meat's history change the responsibility of the person who is free to eat it?
3. Verse 32 says to "give no offense" to three distinct groups of people. How might "giving offense" look different for a Jew, a Greek, and a fellow church member?
4. The goal of this selfless living is "that they may be saved" (v. 33). How can a believer's choice to limit their own freedom actually serve as a tool for evangelism?

**Application questions**

1. An action is not truly beneficial if it requires you to convince your own conscience it's okay. Is there something you feel free to do, but that leaves your conscience feeling uneasy or restless? What is it about that action that creates the tension?
2. Love for others means considering how an action that is permissible for you might not be constructive for someone else. Can you recall a recent situation where you chose to do something you had every right to do, but later realized it may have negatively impacted another person's faith or walk with God?
3. The context of an action—where you are and who is watching—can determine whether it builds others up or becomes a stumbling block. What is one area of personal freedom (e.g., social media, entertainment, dress, conversation) where you need to be more attentive to the context before you act?
4. The ultimate question is whether an action will bring glory to God. Think of a decision you are currently facing or a regular part of your routine. How might you reframe your choice to consciously ask, "Will this honor God and reflect Him well to others?"
5. Imitating Christ means moving from "what can I do?" to "what should I do?" What is one "could" in your life that you know, out of love for Christ and others, you should willingly set aside this week?