1 Corinthians 10:25-26, Meat from the Marketplace

1 Corinthians 10:25-26 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

The Apostle Paul instructed the believers buying the meat from the market to be without any rebuke on their conscience to surmise if the meat has previously been offered to idols. The word “shambles” means “a meat market” or “food market”. There should not be any question to any unfaithfulness on their part when they buy the meat and partake it after cooking them.

The meat market (makellon) lay near to the forum in Corinth and has been partially excavated. Similar markets of roughly the same date have been recognized at Pompeii and in North Africa. Food for sale in a makellon may have been initially sacrificed in a temple or sanctuary.¹

The marketplace is a common place to purchase daily necessities. It is not a place of worship. Believers, therefore, should not feel a sense of guilt trying to second guess if the storeholder has been honest to sell them clean meat, those not offered to idols. The purchase of such meat does not amount to worship. The Apostle Paul cited in verse 26 – Psalm 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. – explaining that the Lord is the Creator of all things. He alone is the Giver. Thus, the produce of the earth are the blessing from Him. Believers are to acknowledge with thanksgiving in prayer before partaking. This would have given due honour to God. Amen.

¹ Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, NewTestament – Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary on the New Testament – Romans to Philemon.