Meats Offered to Idols by RODNEY S. OWEN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 22, 1902

Meats Offered to Idols

By RODNEY S. OWEN

RODNEY S. OWEN

WE often meet with those not in sympathy with the true principles of health reform, who make use of certain statements in the writings of Paul as a weapon of warfare against those principles. Especially have they become familiar with 1 Tim. 4:1–5, where they claim to find a prophecy which fits our case, at least on the question of meat eating. For the consideration of any who may have been exercised over this subject, we wish to offer a few thoughts upon this scripture.

The chapter begins thus: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith.” This is thought by some to locate the prophecy as applying especially to a people just before the second advent; but this is not a necessary conclusion, from the fact that this entire dispensation is spoken of as the last times. Thus we read of Christ: “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” 1 Peter 1:20. Paul writes to the Hebrews that “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.” Heb. 1:1, 2; see also Acts 2:16, 17. So this departure from the faith may have been in the days of the apostles.

“Commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received.” Notice the qualification given to the foods in question. It is that which God hath created for food which these apostatized brethren were forbidding. “Meats” here are often taken as a matter of course to mean the flesh of animals; but this term in the Bible is applied to foods in general, frequently to grains and fruits, and these latter are especially mentioned at the time of creation as man’s “meat.” See Gen. 1:29. The “meat offerings” of ancient Israel usually consisted of “fine flour” mingled with oil, sometimes of “green ears of corn.” Lev. 2:1–14. The apostle Paul, speaking of the bread and lentils for which Esau sold his birthright, calls it a “morsel of meat.” Heb. 12:16.

“For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused.” This statement is also qualified by the preceding verse. Taken out of its connection, this would not be universally true. There are many things which God never designed as food for man, and which should be refused as not only unclean, but dangerous to life. Who will say that all unclean animals, venomous reptiles, and poisonous insects are good to eat? Would our pork-loving friends who apply this text to the swine, relish a dinner of vipers, buzzards, centipedes, and every other loathsome creature, because nothing is to be refused? Even the thought of such a thing is repulsive, and no one will contend that the apostle was giving a rule of diet designed to be of universal application.

There are several parallel statements in the writings of Paul which we will place before the reader, and then consider the circumstances which called out their instruction: “There is nothing unclean of itself.” Rom. 14:14. “All things indeed are pure.” Rom. 14:20. “Meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.” 1 Cor. 8:8. “Whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake.” 1 Cor. 10:27.

We now inquire, What does the apostle mean by such language? Is he talking on the subject of health? If so, he has certainly given us something “hard to be understood,” even by the doctors. What board of health would adopt such rules; and if they were to adopt them, what further need would there be of such a board? No! health reform was not the subject of the apostle’s argument when he penned these words; and as he was speaking to “wise men” (1 Cor. 10:15), he knew that such men would not thus misunderstand his language. The question was concerning “meats offered to idols.” Would the fact that the food had been offered to an idol render it unsuitable to eat? That was the question. The Christians to whom the apostle wrote, and with whom he had lived, were dwelling in the midst of an idolatrous people. They had “gods many, and lords many.” 1 Cor. 8:5. Their eating, their drinking, and almost every act of life was connected with idol worship. The apostle treated the matter in a most prudent and sensible manner, by showing that the idol had no effect whatever on the food itself, but only affected the consciences of the weak. We will let him speak for himself: “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. . . . We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. . . . Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.” 1 Cor. 8:1–7. “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. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience’ sake: for the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” 1 Cor. 10:27, 28. “For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offense. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” Rom. 14:20, 21. “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused [because of the idol worship], if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Tim. 4:4, 5.

In the chapter from which we last quoted, the apostle speaks of those “who believe and know the truth.” They know that the idol is nothing. And though the food had been offered to an idol, those who teach the word of God in their conversation, thank God for the food, and pray to God for those whose hospitality they enjoy. They will not be misunderstood, and be taken for idol worshipers. It is thus that the food is “sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

Thus by looking at the apostle’s language from the standpoint of his subject, all is plain and practical, and is not inconsistent with other scriptures nor with science.

Paul was an ardent advocate of temperance. He believed in being “temperate in all things.” 1 Cor. 9:25. He taught holiness of the flesh as well as of the spirit (2 Cor. 7:1); he taught that the body as well as the soul needed to be washed (Heb. 10:22); and that if any man defile this body temple, God will destroy him. 1 Cor. 3:16, 17.