Freedom, Slavery, and Idolatry - Summary Exhortation

Paul closed out his discussion of the question of "idol meats" with a summary exhortation that brought his entire argument to its apex. The Corinthians were concerned with the specific question of whether or not they were free to eat foods that had been offered to idols; Paul addressed that concern, but by situating it within the overarching principle which governs it and every other issue that Christians face in living out Christ's life in them. And that principle is that the whole of the Christian life - including the use of one's freedom - is to be subjugated to the cause of Christ's gospel and its fruitfulness. This is the case whether the matter at hand concerns only the believer himself, other Christians, or unbelievers. This is what it means to do all things unto the glory of God.