Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 10:23

"All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify." — 1 Corinthians 10:23 (ASV)

All things are lawful for me. The Apostle now proceeds to conclude, with some practical direction and advice, the question of eating meat offered to idols. The strong expression of personal feeling in 1 Corinthians 8:13 had led him to branch off from this immediate subject into various related matters he has addressed since then. The subject treated in 1 Corinthians 10:14–22 of this chapter naturally leads the writer's thoughts back to this original question.

He repeats here the great principle of Christian liberty, All things are lawful for me (see 1 Corinthians 6:12), but insists, as before, that its application must be limited by a regard for:

1. the effect which each action has upon ourselves, and
2. its influence on the Church at large.

“Does this act tend to my own spiritual profit? Does it tend to build up others?” should be the practical rules of Christian life.