1 Corinthians 10:23.— The Apostle here proceeds with another argument against things offered to idols, wherein he shews the danger which might be in it, from the scandal it might give, supposing the thing lawful in itself. He had formerly treated on this subject, (ch. 8) so far as to let them see, that there was no good or virtue in eating things offered to idols, notwithstanding they knew that idols were nothing, and they might think their free eating without scruple shewed that they knew their liberty in the Gospel,—that idols were in reality nothing, and therefore they slighted and disregarded them and their worship as nothing; but the Apostle informs them, that there might be great evil in eating,—by the offence it might give to weak Christians, who had not that knowledge. He here takes up the argument of offence again, and extends it to Jews and Gentiles, 1 Corinthians 10:32; shewing that it is not enough to justify us in any action, that the thing we do is in itself lawful, unless we seek in it the glory of God, and the good of others, 1 Corinthians 10:23, to ch. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
All things— The word all is here to be limited to such things as are the subject of the Apostle's discourse; and his meaning is,—"Supposing all these things be lawful; supposing it lawful to eat things offered unto idols; yet things that are lawful are not expedient: all things that are lawful for me, may not tend to the edification of others, and so ought to be forborne." See Locke and Doddridge.