parties, clubs, and so on—which often used the temple dining halls for their festivities? Could Christians participate and eat meat at these events? What about more overtly religious rites in those temples? The issue clearly was not as simple or innocuous at it might at first glance seem to Westerners today.1 First Corinthians 8:1–13 and 10:14–11:1 clearly address this topic. At first glance, 9:1–10:13 does not appear to do so; but on closer inspection, these verses form an integral part of Paul’s
Page 160