II. WHATEVER WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES WITH WE ARE INFLUENCED BY

Paul is seeking to separate the Corinthians from any contact with idols. The argument he now develops is to show them that whatever they associated themselves with influenced them and they become identified with it.

1. It is the case with the believer and the table of the Lord. We partake of Christ, have communion with Him and are united with those who share in the feast, 16-17.

2. It was the case with the sacrifices of Israel. Partaking of the sacrifice linked them to the altar of Jehovah.

3. Even so it is with those who frequent the pagan altar. They sacrificed to devils, 19-21. True, the idol was nothing. Jupiter, Apollo, Venus — all nothing. But behind this idolatry was the deception of devils. Those who fellowship at the Lord’s table cannot frequent the table of devils or be associated with it in any way.

4. They stood in danger of provoking God to jealousy.  This is a reference to Deut 32:21. God will not share the affections of His people with another, I Kings 14:22-29, Ezekiel 8:3, Ps 78:55-64. In days such as these, we need to make sure that we do not in any way associate ourselves with the provocations of the apostasy.

III. THE GOLDEN RULE TO GOVERN US IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES

Verse 31.

1. The glory of God ought to guide and motivate our every action. Even the most common — eating, drinking.

2. Let us only do that which will advance God’s honour. Verse 23-24. We must forgo our own interests in order to promote the interests of the Lord and His gospel. Love to God is linked with love to neighbour. No one is a closer neighbour than our brother or sister in Christ. Verses 27-29. 

3. In all we have the Lord Jesus and His apostles as an example. 10:33-11:1. Not seeking our own but the profit or benefit of others that they may be saved. This is the way of  Christ — For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich, II Cor 8:9.