“Yummy, yummy, yummy, I’ve got love in my tummy” is the first line of the 1968 pop single by the bubble gum band Ohio Express. Time magazine included the song in its 2011 list of songs with “silly lyrics.” I often use various memory devices to aid my recall of scripture concepts. One of the memory devices I use is association. Since silly song lines are easy to remember, one can use something silly to help recall something serious.
In 1 Corinthians 8 thru 10, the Apostle Paul addresses a serious issue for the Corinthian Church. The issue was food sacrificed to idols. Paul actually introduces the doctrine of Christian Charity (love) here in 1 Corinthians 8. The Apostle more fully explains the virtues of Christian Love starting in 1 Corinthians 13, but he first broached that doctrine in chapter 8. The overarching theme of all Christian doctrines (teachings) is “God’s love,” which is why John 3:16 is the key verse to all of the Bible. But I digress.
The Corinthians, being the carnal-minded Christians they were noted to be, argued over almost everything. In a good sense, they really wanted to be the best Christians they could be. We have Paul’s excellent teaching that we might not make the same mistakes as the Corinthians.
In these three chapters, Paul uses several O.T. stories to emphasize to the Corinthians that Godly love is shown to others via personal sacrifice. Using the same O. T. events, he cautions those with knowledge against falling away, just as many did in Moses’ time.
1 Corinthians 10:5-8 KJV: But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. [6] Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. [8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Some, mostly Gentile converts said it was okay to eat the food from the markets, regardless of whether it was sacrificed to an idol. They said they knew that the Christian God was the only true living God. Therefore, they could eat it with a clear conscience. Others, mostly the Jewish brethren, said they should not eat the meat from the market under any circumstances, because it was unclean according to the law.
So, which faction was correct and which faction was incorrect? Some people have proposed that both groups were right, depending on the circumstances. Many say this because Paul examines both views and shows the truths of each side. Conversely, Paul shows the fallacy of both views. Some conclude that Paul is saying as long as no one is watching, I can eat anything I want, whether it is sacrificed to an idol or not. Just don’t eat idol sacrificed food if someone is watching. However, that is not what Paul is saying at all!
What Paul is saying is that there is only one way to satisfy both sides. Above this, Paul’s solution satisfies God, while honoring the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is only one way in this perplexing situation to be all things to all men, both Jews and Gentiles. That one way is to not eat the meat sold in the “shambles” (market)—period.
Paul is telling the Corinthians not eating the meat is akin to laying down your life for others. Just as Jesus the Christ laid down his life for whosoever would believe. Charity (love) edifies—it builds up. Any compromise, in order to please men, apart from the Gospel, is boasting in the flesh. You cannot eat of the table of devils and the table of God.
Jesus Christ is our Passover.
1 Corinthians 10:15-16,21 KJV
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. [16] The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? [21] Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
Psalm 34:8 KJV
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Do you have the love of God in your tummy?