What about where Paul says all things are lawful?
1 Corinthians 6 is Paul criticizing believers who take each other to court with lawsuits (to be judged by the unrighteous based on THEIR law) instead of settling the matter internally. Again, lawsuits under
secular law.
He then speaks to the issue at hand;
why are they continuing to commit sin against each other and against God to even have lawsuits, saying the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (he then lists several major sins, particularly sexual sins). He tells them they have been washed from doing those things.
Paul then begins listing counter-statements that HIS READERS may say, while answered them (remember these are new gentile converts coming from a pagan background still committing sins).
- all things are lawful
unto me (i.e. I am allowed to do anything), but all things arent beneficial
- all things are lawful
for me, but I will not let it rule over me
- food is for the belly and the belly for food, but God will destroy both
Notice that these statements not only challenge what Paul just wrote, but also challenge the ruling the council gave to gentiles to avoid fornication, eating meat with blood, eating strangled meat, and avoiding idolatry. This is why Paul answered right back.
"Your body is meant for the lord, not for sexual immorality"
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But let's consider for a moment whether Paul was making statements about himself. Would Paul cut into his criticism of them to say he's personally allowed to do all the things they were doing? Does that fit? Let's see...
"
Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God...but all things are lawful for me to do just not beneficial."
It's lawful for Paul to have homosexual relations??
Why would Paul criticize them but then throw it in their face that he's exempt? It would create a situation where God is playing favorites, which is exactly what the pharisees would do.
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Next, let's address when Paul speaks about eating whatever is placed in front of you. Chapter 10 follows the same pattern: Paul criticizes, then he speaks for the reader (almost mockingly), only to answer it.
1 Cor 10:1-22 - Paul criticizes their idolatry.
1 Cor 10:23-24 - "all things are lawful/allowed...all things are lawful/allowed."
1 Cor 10:25-33 - Paul answers the challenge saying "no one should seek their own good but the good of others", and then gives examples.
1 Cor 10:27
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.
If an
unbeliever invites you to a meal and you choose to go, eat what's placed in front of you if you dont know where it came from. Why? Because you don't want to put a stumbling block in front of someone you're trying to save. However, if it's revealed the food was offered to idols don't eat it because you can't commune with the lord and with devils.
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The law is maintained, but it is covered by mercy for the unbeliever and for the new convert who was a former pagan. We are saved
first while we are yet sinners, and then begins the process of sanctification afterward, when we learn to walk righteously in obedience more and more.
Paul wasn't himself declaring all things are lawful to do.