Christian deference and discipline for the sake of the gospel

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to 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, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10:31-33

I have heard verse thirty-one cited as a “life verse” many times. I have been guilty of pulling it out of my hip pocket for some rapid-fire oneupmanship myself. But seeing it within its context, I am ashamed now of abusing it. 1 Corinthians 10:31 is not a verse with a generic goal for Christian living. Paul did not write it for inspirational posters to be printed. It is actually a very specific, focused call. I’ll put its true message like this: We glorify God by choosing self-sacrificing disciplines that emphasize our life’s focus as the gospel.

Two things are going on in the context of this passage: 1) The immediate context of the issue of food sacrificed to pagan idols (1 Corinthians 10), and 2) the more remote context of Paul’s discipline and willful choice among the Corinthians not to claim compensation as an apostle in order to make the gospel the focus of their attention (1 Corinthians 9). Verses thirty-one through thirty-three actually bring both of those concepts together to make a very important point. Paul is saying that all Christians should live with disciplined wisdom decisions for God’s glory by limiting our perceived “rights” and “freedoms” so that we can give the proclamation of the gospel message our full focus. It is better to find a way to shine the light on the gospel... a way that eliminates as much human offense as possible... so that Jesus can get all the attention and all the glory. 

We learn from the context that Paul could sit down with Gentiles and not ask questions of the meal set in front of him so that the conversation could be all about Jesus. Even if that meat had been purchased in a pagan market and butchered on a pagan idol’s altar. When with Jews, he was careful to eat what they offered for the same reason. In both situations, Jesus was glorified. It took wisdom and deference to live this way.

This principle still should drive us, even in a culture now pettily divided over the observance of wearing face masks and abiding by health guidelines. I will tell you what, fellow Christians... people DO NOT need to see us fighting over this! Shame on us for pulling the light off the gospel and focusing it on a 4 inch strip of cloth! Shame on us for making it about human government, and not about the King of Kings! Strong opinions by some Christians are definitely deflecting attention from the gospel work of preaching Jesus. So here is a modern paraphrase of this passage for us to consider: “So whether you mask or distance, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense... wear a mask when asked for the sake of conscience and do so without complaint... don’t seek your own advantage or comfort... that they may be saved.”