Yes, Christians may eat meat offered to idols, but they should refrain if it would cause a brother or an unbeliever to stumble.
According to Les Feldick's teaching, Paul says that an idol is a dumb idol and cannot affect the meat, so eating it is permissible. However, if someone points out that the meat was offered to an idol, the believer should not eat it for the sake of that person, to avoid causing them to stumble or violating their conscience.
1 Corinthians 8:1 — Introduces the topic of things offered to idols.
1 Corinthians 10:28 — Directly instructs not to eat if someone tells you it was offered to an idol.
In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul begins addressing the matter of things offered to idols, acknowledging that 'we know that we have all knowledge.' The Corinthians had asked about meat offered to idols, and Paul starts to respond. The Scripture indicates that this was a real concern for the Corinthian church, as they lived in a culture where meat from pagan temples was sold in the marketplace and served in homes.
Les Feldick explains that Paul's principle is that an idol is nothing and cannot affect the meat, so a believer can eat it with a clear conscience. However, if eating would cause a problem for an unbeliever or a weaker believer, then the Christian should refrain. This is consistent with Paul's broader teaching on not being a stumbling block. The decision depends on circumstances and the knowledge of the individuals involved.
According to Les Feldick, Paul says that if someone tells you the meat was offered to an idol, then you should not eat it for the sake of that person, to show that you make a difference and will not partake of something tainted by demonic association. This applies whether the person is a pagan or a fellow believer who lacks strength.
Les Feldick explains that in the Corinthian culture, meat from pagan temple sacrifices often ended up in the marketplace. Christians were unsure if they could eat such meat because it had been offered to idols. This was a practical dilemma for them, as they did not know the origin of the meat they bought.
Les Feldick indicates that Paul saw no inherent problem with eating meat sold in the market, even if it had been offered to an idol, because the idol had no power over it. The believer could eat without concern unless they were specifically told of its origin, in which case they should abstain for the sake of the informant.
Introduction to the Corinthian Problem
Les introduces that the Corinthians faced the problem of meat offered to idols, which was a real issue for them.
What Most Christians Miss About Grace — 1 Corinthians Explained
Here is the other dilemma. Now Paul says, "...as touching things offered to idols, we know that we have all knowledge." So what do you suppose they had also asked? Well, what are we supposed to do with this meat that's been offered to idols? Can we eat it, or can't we? And so that too prompted some of the things that will be covered in this letter to the Corinthian church.
Not Eating for the Sake of Others
Les explains that if someone tells you the meat was offered to an idol, you should not eat it for their sake, to teach them a lesson and avoid stumbling.
What the Bible Really Says About the Lord's Table — 1 Corinthians 10:16
And so here again as we come now back to chapter 10, even their practicing of what we call the Lord's Table, or the communion service, or whatever your particular denomination may call it, the Corinthians had made it a problem. They were having all kinds of things going on that should have never taken place in the church, and Paul has to address it.
Idols Have No Power
Les teaches that an idol is a dumb idol and cannot affect the meat, so a believer can eat it with a clear conscience.
Eating Depends on Circumstances
Les emphasizes that if you are told the meat is offered to an idol, don't eat; otherwise, you may eat, because the idol had no effect on the meat.
Why Unbelievers Can't Understand the Bible — 1 Corinthians 2 Explained
Don�t you forget that, because it�s awful easy to say, well these people weren�t even believers. Oh yes they were. They were in the Body of Christ, but they�re carnal. They�ve got a long ways to go. Remember when we were in our last taping, I told you the reason that Paul wrote these two letters to the Corinthians? Because the Corinthian people had questions.
Pagan Sacrifices in the Marketplace
Les explains that in Paul's day, meat from pagan sacrifices was sold in the marketplace, and believers had to decide whether to eat it.
1 Corinthians 8:1: Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Paul introduces the topic and emphasizes that while knowledge is important, love is what builds up.
1 Corinthians 10:28: But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
Paul explicitly instructs not to eat if someone tells you the meat was offered to an idol, for their sake and conscience.
Les Feldick teaches that it is not a sin in itself because an idol is nothing and cannot affect the meat. However, if eating causes a brother or an unbeliever to stumble, then you should refrain.
Paul told believers not to eat if someone told them the meat was offered to an idol, for the sake of the informant's conscience, to avoid implying approval of idol worship or causing a weaker believer to stumble.
According to Les Feldick's teaching, yes, because an idol has no power over the meat. Unless you are specifically told of its origin, you can eat with a clear conscience.
Watch the Teaching: Should You Eat Meat Offered to Idols? 1 Corinthians 8 Explained