NT 260: Part OneSample

The eating of meat that had been sacrificed to idols was a controversial subject for the church in Rome. For some, it was a great way to save money on meat. The idol meant nothing to these people, so eating the leftover meat was not a problem for them. For others, maybe former idol worshipers, the meat was associated with something they found offensive. The people who didn’t eat the meat looked more holy because they avoided a controversial activity, but Paul says they were the weaker ones. They had the more sensitive conscience. The stronger ones were told to treat the weaker ones in a loving way. In other words, give up their right to save money on meat in order not to cause their weaker church-goers to sin.

We have different controversies today, but the principles are the same. We want to claim our right to do as we please, but we need to pause and ask what the loving thing to do is.