Was It Always Idolatrous For Corinthian Christians To Eat Εἰδωλόθυτα In An Idol’s Temple? (1 Cor 8–10) -- By: Andrew David Naselli

Journal: Southeastern Theological Review
Volume: STR 09:1 (Spring 2018)
Article: Was It Always Idolatrous For Corinthian Christians To Eat Εἰδωλόθυτα In An Idol’s Temple? (1 Cor 8–10)
Author: Andrew David Naselli


Was It Always Idolatrous For Corinthian Christians To Eat Εἰδωλόθυτα In An Idol’s Temple? (1 Cor 8–10)1

Andrew David Naselli

Bethlehem College & Seminary

Does Paul teach in 1 Cor 8–10 that it was always idolatrous for Corinthian Christians to eat εἰδωλόθυτα in an idol’s temple? Gordon Fee and other exegetes present three interrelated arguments that the answer is yes: (1) eating εἰδωλόθυτα in an idol’s temple was an inherently religious event; (2) εἰδωλόθυτος means meat sacrificed to idols that one eats in an idol’s temple; and (3) 1 Cor 8 parallels 10:14–22. But the more plausible answer is no: (1) eating εἰδωλόθυτα in an idol’s temple could be a non-idolatrous social event—like eating in a restaurant; (2) εἰδωλόθυτος means meat sacrificed to idols—whether one eats it in an idol’s temple or at home; and (3) 1 Cor 8 differs significantly from 10:14–22.

Key Words: 1 Corinthians 8–10, εἰδωλόθυτος, idolatry

In 1 Cor 8, Paul appears to have a category for a Corinthian Christian eating εἰδωλόθυτα (meat sacrificed to idols) in an idol’s temple without sinning. Verses 9–10 in particular seem to support that it was not always idolatrous for Corinthian Christians to eat εἰδωλόθυτα in an idol’s temple:

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? (8:9–10)2

But that seems difficult to harmonize with 10:14–22 because there Paul appears to say that eating such food in the temple participates in worshiping demons. Verses 19–21 in particular seem to contradict 8:9–10:...

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