Bible Study - 1 Corinthians Part 11 - Clear Lines & Nuance

This session wraps up Paul's discussion of food offered in temples that started in chapter 8. With chapter 10 Paul turns to the question of where Christians need to draw lines between how we live and how the cultures around us live and what kind of lines are needed. While we no longer have to deal with our food being tied up in pagan religious practices, the question of when we should separate ourselves from the surrounding culture and when we should accommodate ourselves to it is always relevant.

•  Paul uses some details from the Exodus story as examples in chapter 10. Read through Exodus 13:17-17:7 & 32:1-35 before doing your reading from 1 Corinthians.
• Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. Do you agree with Paul’s statement that God does not test us beyond out strength, and provides us with the ability to endure? Does this teaching apply only to temptations to sin or to more general trials such as suffering?
• Read 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1. Paul makes a distinction between taking part in overt idol worship (to be avoided at all costs) and eating meat that probably came from a pagan temple (the response depends on the circumstances). Are there times when we have to draw absolute lines against the world, and times when we need to take a more nuanced approach so that we are able to engage with people outside of the church?