“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

The Apostle Paul once wrote that “all things are lawful for me.” Taking this verse and running with it could surely get you into trouble. It should make you ask, “What’s the catch?

The catch may best be described as the context. Paul ushered in the Dispensation of Grace, as this age was given to him to share with Gentiles (non-Jews) and Jews alike. This dispensation contrasted greatly with the now fulfilled Law-based systems of prior dispensations.

Understanding 1 Corinthians 10:23 will ultimately help the Christian understand true sanctification and how Christianity is not about following rules, but a relational, Spirit-led limiting of such freedom, for the building up of others.

In 1 Corinthians 10:23, Paul states that “All things are lawful for me…” Paul was able to state this as he understood that in Christ, we are completely free from the Law as a system of earning righteousness (Romans 10:14). Our righteousness is in Him.

Freedom is a positional truth for the Body of Christ. It’s not a suggestion but a reality of our new standing.

But then, Paul states in 1 Corinthians 10:23 still that “…but all things are not expedient.” “Not expedient” essentially means that not all things are profitable. Verse 24 indicates that profitability must be for the neighbor as well,makinge lawfulness a matter of “we” much more than “I.”

Verse 23 ends with addressing that which edifies or builds up. That which we do in this Age of Grace must aim to build the Church as a whole to be generally profitable.

Our actions, even if legally permissible, must be weighed against their spiritual impact on the Body of Christ. The question changes from “Can I?” to “Should I, for their sake?” The motivation is love, not fear of punishment or desire for reward.

This is (or should be) an internal, Spirit-prompted motivation.

Jesus Christ (although a law-abiding Jew in His time on Earth) has all power and glory, yet voluntarily limited His own privileges and became a servant for our sake (Philippians 2:5-8). An imitation of Christ, primarily through the viable example of Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1) is the highest form of Christian living in this dispensation. In doing so, we imitate Christ’s self-emptying love for the benefit of others.

Consider areas of your own life where you might be exercising a “lawful” freedom without considering its “profitability” for others. Seek guidance, and I will too, to move towards profitable acts of freedom for others and yourself. Consciously choose to put the needs of another member of the Body of Christ before a personal preference or right for the furtherance of the Gospel.