Corpus-Paul

[Nathan McGovern <NM_McGovern AT ACAD.FANDM.EDU>]

I posted the following to the XTalk list earlier today:

> I'm a bit confused as to what Paul is saying in 1 Cor. 10:14-32.  Is he
> saying, "Eat meat sacrificed to idols," or "Don't eat meat sacrificed to
> idols"?
>
> Reading just up to verse 22, it seems clear that he is saying the latter.
> But in verses 23-29a, he seems to reverse course and say, "You can eat meat
> sacrificed to idols, but if someone (presumably a Jewish Christian who
> might complain to James) says something to you about it, don't eat it.  But
> verse 29b doesn't make any sense at all:  He seems to be saying, "Don't eat
> meat sacrificed to idols if someone says something to you about it, not on
> account of your own conscience but on account of the other person's,
> BECAUSE you shouldn't be ruled by another person's conscience," which is
> self-contradictory.  Maybe my translation is just confusing.  In any case,
> Paul returns again in verse 32 to his policy of "When in Rome, do as the
> Romans do," which again suggests that he is telling people to eat meat
> sacrificed to idols if they can get away with it.
>
> To wit, I am thoroughly confused.
>

Jeffrey Gibson recommended that I post this query to this list (for which I
thank him).  I realize that my use of a translation is a bit of a breach of
protocol; but I don't know very much Greek, and in verse 29b, this seems to
be the main problem.  I'd appreciate any help!  Thanks!

                                                Nathan McGovern
                                                Franklin and Marshall College
                                                nm_mcgovern AT acad.fandm.edu