Every human develops an automated subconscious and conscious system that guides their decisions and actions, though most of the time, we are unaware of that system. Human society and instinct cause us to develop a moral and ethical GPS. Some in the Corinthian congregation developed two cute Greek bywords based on their understanding of Christianity to teach their moral GPS standard. They are in these verses. Paul counters and corrects them.
First is the general byword: “Everything is permissible for me.” They mean they have the right in Christ to do what they please, probably because of God’s unlimited grace. They could be using or adapting this byword from a pagan philosophy. Many today still have this misconception of God’s grace.
The apostle counters by observing that such “freedom” of action may not benefit the Christian. Ask rich King Solomon about the outcome of a sensual lifestyle. His reply is, “I thought in my heart, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.’ But that also proved to be meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 2:1) A life without wise perimeters is destructive. A life without righteous rules will enslave me.
Second is a specific byword: “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food.” They mean the bodily functions have no bearing on one’s inner spiritual life, so the physical act of promiscuous sexual activity does not affect one’s spiritual life.
Free use of the stomach and food does not serve a purpose. God made them and all of me for a purpose. If they are not used for his designed purpose and when that purpose is completed, he destroys them. All of my body is meant for the Lord, including the parts only meant for the married couple and reproduction, according to the first law, “Be fruitful and multiply”. (Hebrews 13:4) They are blessed when used for those purposes.
One’s moral GPS must be based on truth. If not, one will end up in a place no one wants to go.
