1 Corinthians 10:31

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:31

1. The Text

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV):
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

This short verse stands as a climactic summary of the Apostle Paul’s argument throughout 1 Corinthians chapter 8 to 10, where he addresses Christian freedom, love for others, idolatry, and the believer’s responsibility to honour God in all things.

2. Contextual Background

2.1 The Corinthian Situation

The Corinthian church lived in a city saturated with pagan worship, social pressure, and moral confusion. Much of the meat sold in markets had been offered to idols. This raised a pastoral question: Can Christians eat such food without compromising their faith?

Paul’s answer unfolds across several chapters. He affirms Christian liberty, but he also insists that liberty must be governed by love, holiness, and a desire to honour God.

2.2 The Flow of 1 Corinthians Chapter 10[i]

To understand verse 31, we must see how Paul builds his argument.

1 Corinthians 10:1–5

Paul reminds the Corinthians of Israel’s history:
“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea…” (1 Corinthians 10:1–5, KJV).
Israel experienced God’s blessings, yet many fell into sin and judgment.

1 Corinthians 10:6–12

These events are warnings:
“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things…” (1 Corinthians 10:6, KJV).
Paul urges believers to flee idolatry and avoid presumption.

1 Corinthians 10:13

God provides grace to resist temptation:
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man…” (1 Corinthians 10:13, KJV).

1 Corinthians 10:14–22

Paul commands separation from idolatry:
“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14, KJV).

1 Corinthians 10:23–30

Paul then addresses practical decisions about food, conscience, and the good of others. Christian freedom must be exercised with sensitivity and love.

1 Corinthians 10:31

This leads to the great principle:
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

This is not merely a rule about food. It is a sweeping, life-shaping command.

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3. Exegetical Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:31

3.1 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink…”

Paul chooses the most basic human activities. Eating and drinking are everyday acts. They are morally neutral in themselves, yet they can be done in a way that honours or dishonours God.

This reflects a deeply Christian understanding of life: there is no sacred–secular divide. All of life is lived before the face of God.

3.2 “…or whatsoever ye do…”

This phrase removes all limits. Work, rest, relationships, recreation, speech, decisions, and habits all fall under this command.

The Christian life is not compartmentalised. Every moment is an opportunity for worship.

3.3 “…do all to the glory of God.”

This is the heart of the verse.

To glorify God means:

• to reflect His character,
• to honour His name,
• to obey His Word,
• to love others for His sake,
• to show that He is worthy above all things.

In Christian theology, this echoes the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever.”

Paul is not calling for legalistic rule-keeping. He is calling for a God-centred life shaped by gratitude for grace.

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4. Theological Insights

4.1 Christian Freedom is Real but Not Autonomous

Paul affirms that believers are free in Christ, yet freedom is never self-centred. It is always directed toward:

• God’s glory,
• the good of others,
• the purity of the church.

4.2 God’s Glory is the Ultimate Aim of All Things

This verse reflects the grand biblical theme that God acts for His own glory (Isaiah 43:7; Romans 11:36).
Isaiah 43:7 (KJV):
“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory…”

4.3 Ordinary Life is Sacred

Christian theology emphasises the dignity of everyday work and life. Paul’s words affirm that the Christian life is not limited to church services or overtly spiritual activities.

4.4 Love for Others is Part of Glorifying God

The surrounding verses emphasise not causing others to stumble.
1 Corinthians 10:24 (KJV):
“Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.”
To glorify God is to love our neighbour.

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5. Practical Application for Modern Christian Living

5.1 Examine Your Motives

Ask: Does this choice reflect God’s character? Does it honour Him?

5.2 Live with Integrity in Everyday Life

Your work, study, parenting, friendships, and leisure are all places where God is glorified.

5.3 Use Your Freedom Wisely

Not everything that is permissible is beneficial.
1 Corinthians 10:23 (KJV):
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient…”

5.4 Consider the Conscience of Others

Your choices can influence others spiritually. Love limits liberty.

5.5 Cultivate Gratitude

Eating and drinking become acts of worship when received with thanksgiving.

5.6 Resist Idolatry

Modern idols include success, comfort, reputation, and pleasure. Glorifying God means refusing to let anything else take His place.

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6. Meditation Guide

Use these steps for personal reflection or group study.

6.1 Read the Verse Slowly

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV):
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Let each phrase settle in your heart.

6.2 Reflect on God’s Glory

What does it mean for God to be glorified in your life today?

6.3 Identify Ordinary Moments

Where can you consciously honour God in:

• your work,
• your home life,
• your relationships,
• your habits?

6.4 Confess and Surrender

Where have you lived for your own comfort or reputation rather than God’s glory?

6.5 Pray for Grace

Ask the Holy Spirit to shape your desires so that glorifying God becomes your joy, not a burden.

6.6 Commit to One Practical Step

Choose one area of life where you will intentionally seek to glorify God this week.

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[i] 1 Corinthians 10

King James Version

10 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

25 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.

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.