October 20, 2025 - 1 Corinthians 8-11

Lots of instruction in these chapters about marriage, singleness, food offered to idols, offending others, working for a living, etc.  I wonder if a good summary statement of all that Paul writes here might be found in 9:12 – “But we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.”  In other words, all things are to be done, and all relationships are to be watched carefully, for the sake of the gospel.  And in another place:  “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (10:32).

O for a closer walk with God,

a calm and heav’nly frame,

a light to shine upon the road

that leads me to the Lamb!

The dearest idol I have known,

Whate’er that idol be,

help me to tear it from Thy throne

and worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,

calm and serene my frame;

so purer light shall mark the road

that leads me to the Lamb.   --William Cowper (1772)