freedom to do the permissible but to do what is beneficial for others. Paul applies this truth to the question of meat offered to idols. It is ‘permissible’ to eat meat offered to idols in an unbeliever’s home, even if he tells you that is the case, but it may not be beneficial for him (vv. 27–29). Here we have an important principle: while we do not want to enter into unhelpful controversy with our unbelieving friend, at the same time we do not want to mislead him. Our concern must be always for