These verses bring Paul’s arguments in 1 Corinthians chapters 8-10 to a conclusion. The key principle is that all we do which is not sinful, is to be done for the glory of God. As Christians live together and care for one another despite differences, we must live by faith and honor God in our lives.

The great statement of 10:32 is that we must give no offense to Jew, Greek, or the church of God. “Greek” is a figure of speech which means the entire non-Jewish pagan world. The Church consists of redeemed Jews and Gentiles. The church is not a subset of the world, but consists of those who know Christ and are in the world but not of the world. Paul admonishes us to live in a way that will not bring offense to others and dishonor to the name of the Lord.

Our Christian witness includes how we live and interact with those who are not born of God and part of the church. Another way of translating what Paul’s says it “do no damage.” The Gospel itself offends sinners, because the cross is a stumbling block. We must not add to that offense by behaving in ungodly ways and thus not living for God’s glory.

The “benefit of many” is that that are brought to repentance and faith. Paul lived for the benefit of the many as seen by how he did not use his rightful privilege of being supported by the church and worked at a trade while he preached in Corinth. In our application we focus on what it means to be a new creation in Christ to God’s glory.

The end of this sermon goes to Isaiah 53 where there is powerful predictive prophecy about the person and work of the Suffering Servant. We must turn to Christ for salvation if we are to live for His glory as forgiven sinners who love Him.