We constantly get questions about Dietary Law. We want to cover a verse more in depth. Please read this post to help in understanding of what Paul is talking about. We know that all the Disciples were Torah Observant and all of Christianity was Torah observant up until the end of the 1st Century; well after our Messiah died. So we know there is no way they taught against Dietary Law but we want to break down one verse that is often confusing.
1 Corinthians 10:19-28 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? {20} Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. {21} You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. {22} Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? {23} All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. {24} Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. {25} Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; {26} for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” {27} If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. {28} But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
The context provides five points:
1. Notice that verse 19-28 set the context in its entirety. Often we separate verse 27 (see above) and are taught if you go to dinner at your friends house to go ahead and eat whatever. Paul is only meaning in context of food sacrificed to idols. He is not saying it is okay to go to your friends house and have a Ham sandwich. Nowhere does Paul state we are allowed to eat anything unclean. This verse is only talking about sacrificial food. Quite a bit of meat was sold at the market that was leftover animal parts from a sacrificed animals. Paul is merely saying don’t worry if you don’t know. Again, not if you don’t know if it is unclean or clean. Only if you don’t know if was killed in a sacrifice to another god!!! Notice in verse 27 (see above) he also states “those who do not believe”. Paul knows at this point in time that those that “do believe’ would never eat unclean food and they would not knowingly eat anything sacrificed to another idol.
2. Nobody would ever have to ask if something is Pork or Shellfish. It is plainly obvious. So no Dietary Law has been lifted here.
3. Paul also states that at no time should we accept food sacrifices made to other gods. Not only should we not accept them, if we did, somebody might get the wrong message and think it is okay. If we know the truth we don’t eat it but if we go to a non-believers home we can eat clean foods sacrificed to another god as long as we haven’t asked. So basically if it’s clean food we can eat with a clear conscience as long as we don’t know it has been sacrificed to another god.
4. The only point of these verse is to differentiate between foods sacrificed to other gods. Again none of it has anything to do with eating unclean meats so we don’t offend our friend that invited us to dinner.
5. Notice in verse 28 it says this “But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” So not only do we not have a lifting of Dietary Law as often taught, but we also see a command to abstain from any food sacrificed to another god. Paul writes that we should not knowingly eat any food offered to an idol even if it’s clean according to Yahweh’s commands. Paul’s writings say to avoid any food sacrificed to another god/idol for the sake our of friend and our own conscience sake.
“Always Learning”
Biblical Truth
Romans 14.13-23
Many uses those verses as a blanket to cover all things that refer to one stating obedience to Torah. Those verses are particular to certain things and you have to go back to the beginning of Romans 14 to see whom Paul is referring to.
Is pork ok to eat for gentiles?
Okay. Reading chapter 14 from the beginning and reading it in its entirety mates it even more obvious that it is now acceptable to eat pork or as the verses state, to eat everything. It also makes it clear that those who do not believe that is so, are not to judge and speak against people who do eat all foods in faith and vice versa.
Romans 14:1-23 AMP
[1] As for the one whose faith is weak, accept him [into your fellowship], but not for [the purpose of] quarreling over his opinions. [2] One man’s faith permits him to eat everything, while the weak believer eats only vegetables [to avoid eating ritually unclean meat or something previously considered unclean]. [3] The one who eats [everything] is not to look down on the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat must not criticize or pass judgment on the one who eats [everything], for God has accepted him. [4] Who are you to judge the servant of another? Before his own master he stands [approved] or falls [out of favor]. And he [who serves the Master—the Lord] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. [5] One person regards one day as better [or more important] than another, while another regards every day [the same as any other]. Let everyone be fully convinced (assured, satisfied) in his own mind. [6] He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord. He who eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains for the Lord and gives thanks to God. [7] None of us lives for himself [for his own benefit, but for the Lord], and none of us dies for himself [but for the Lord]. [8] If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. [9] For Christ died and lived again for this reason, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. [10] But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you again, why do you look down on your [believing] brother or regard him with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God [who alone is judge]. [11] For it is written [in Scripture], “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.” [12] So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. [13] Then let us not criticize one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block or a source of temptation in another believer’s way. [14] I know and am convinced [as one] in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean [ritually defiled, and unholy] in itself; but [nonetheless] it is unclean to anyone who thinks it is unclean. [15] If your brother is being hurt or offended because of food [that you insist on eating], you are no longer walking in love [toward him]. Do not let what you eat destroy and spiritually harm one for whom Christ died. [16] Therefore do not let what is a good thing for you [because of your freedom to choose] be spoken of as evil [by someone else]; [17] for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. [18] For the one who serves Christ in this way [recognizing that food choice is secondary] is acceptable to God and is approved by men. [19] So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth]. [20] Do not, for the sake of food, tear down the work of God. All things indeed are [ceremonially] clean, but they are wrong for the person who eats and offends [another’s conscience in the process]. [21] It is good [to do the right thing and] not eat meat or drink wine, or do anything that offends your brother and weakens him spiritually. [22] The faith which you have [that gives you freedom of choice], have as your own conviction before God [just keep it between yourself and God, seeking His will]. Happy is he who has no reason to condemn himself for what he approves. [23] But he who is uncertain [about eating a particular thing] is condemned if he eats, because he is not acting from faith. Whatever is not from faith is sin [whatever is done with doubt is sinful].
We’d highly recommend one would study those verses in context. Pork was NEVER a food source during those times.
First off the word Gentiles is really Goyim which means other nations outside of Israel. If you come into belief in YHVH you then should accept His Torah.