[23] "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. - 1Cr 10:23 ESV
Paul's priorities are crystal clear in these two chapters.
First, God. His passion to not hinder the work of the gospel is relentless. He was focused, intentional, driven. The gospel was his bull eye and he was determined to hit it every time.
This initial priority leads naturally into the second. People. Paul's actions were deliberate and thoughtful. He couldn't bear the thought that he might cause someone to stumble so as not to hear and/or believe the gospel. Every fiber of his being strained with gospel exertion. He longed for Jews and Gentiles alike to come to Jesus and be saved. It defined his life.
Verse 23 sums up how Paul viewed what he could and couldn't do or would and wouldn't do. He simply had an "others" focus. He loved his neighbor as himself.
Paul was by no means perfect, but He loved the One Who is. His love for Christ translated into active love for others which many times meant denying himself.
[30] And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." - Mar 12:30-31 ESV
Many commentators think in saying "All things are lawful" Paul was mocking the prevailing Corinthian attitude that more closely resembled "Free to sin" than "Free from sin." In any event, his was certainly an exemplary life when it comes to refraining from behavior that could be potentially counter-productive to the spread of the Gospel!
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