Thanks for the comment. I put a link on my general sermons page at the very top for you.

One of these days I will get more organized!!

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

I notice that there were several times you linked to other articles you put together – but I can’t seem to find those articles anywhere else, but in that particular blog entry. Like this one, for example – I found it because I am reading that particular blog entry – but it is not listed on your Sermons Index page (or the other two main sections you have listed in your sidebar). Is that an oversight – or is there somewhere else these are available? The reason I am asking is because I have appreciated reading your various articles – but it is not always convenient to read a longer article at that point in time when I come across it. However, if it was listed with all your other sermons, etc. then I would see it and be reminded it was there to check out later. Thanks for considering my request.

Bill Combs has posted this on SI – lost in the crash, I believe. I have David Garland’s 1 Corinthians. I think he quotes Fee and Witherington on that – it’s at home – perhaps I’ll check tomorrow.

Anyway – I think 1 Corinthians 10:28 means that such an assertion must be at least partially wrong. Eidolothuton in that verse is clearly outside the idol-temple context since the reader is in a situation where he doesn’t know what type of meat it is.

But I agree that, based on context, the meat referred to in 8:1-10:24 is eaten in the idol temple.

(Perhaps this post belongs on the other thread.)

As for applying the passage, you are right, we have to get the true meaning of what Paul is saying in his context in order to understand how to apply it in our context.

Tom Constable’s remarks on this passage opened a light for me. His citation of Fee makes me want to get Fee on this, so I can get the full understanding of where Constable is going. I think Fee is off on some of the other parts of 1 Cor (like 1 Cor 11 and the meaning of kephale) so I have been leary of him. But I would like to read his arguments in 1 Cor 8-10, so I think I will get the book.

As for your paraphrase of 1 Cor 10.31 as it stands, I think that is a reasonable understanding.

I am in the midst of commenting back to Matt on the suneidesis thread as your note came in! I’ve got to get to work after this!

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

I believe that we must first understand how Paul treated the issues he did treat. Only then will we understand the principles he used. Of course, some day perhaps we will discuss how these principles apply to other things – but that’s a long way off and can only be reasonably done if we first agree on Paul’s treatment of eidolothuton, etc.

So, no, I was not trying to apply it beyond idol-meat.

I was merely pointing out that we can’t say that we may choose anything on the list at any time. At various times/situations each thing can be done. But, by applying principles, we will discern that only one option might be glorifying to God in one particular situation.

So all In my view, 1 Corinthians 10:31 means: “Think it through and figure out which of the options on the list is glorifying to God in the situation you are in – then ONLY do that.”

The point I am making is that the list of options Paul is discussing is the only thing in view. That is, Paul is only talking about eating meat offered to idols or not.

For us, the list of things we apply this to have to be parallel things, otherwise we are twisting the passage out of its context. Since we should glorify God in our lives (and we can amply demonstrate that with other passages), it is tempting to take this one out of context and misuse it. It is the practice of taking passages out of context that has me most exercised, not the particular subject matter.

I hope that makes sense. As I read your quotation of my words from the article, I have to cringe. When something could be said clearly and concisely or obtusely, I quite often opt for the obtuse…

I appreciate the comment. I am hoping shortly to move my blog to a better site so that I can display comments better. In the meantime we have to live with this.

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

I would offer one small edit that I think you might like:

Near the end, you ask what Paul means by “do all…” You answer, “…the totality of things Paul is referring to is the list of options he has already provided.

I think it would fit your position to say, “…the totality of the things which you selectively (in good conscience) take out of the list of options he has already provided and actually live out.“

My point is that eating, not eating, etc. are not a menu of things that we randomly choose from and then say, “Glory to God.” No – we apply Bible principles to things and then ONLY do the things that we think actually do (because of those principles) glorify God.