Normally, when Paul speaks of meat that was sacrificed to an idol, he uses the word eidolothuton (see 1 Corinthians 10:19, food offered to idols
). This is a typically Jewish way of referring to such meat, as it literally means sacrificed to an idol
(a false god).
Here, however, he uses the word hierothuton, which means sacrificed to the sacred [gods].
In this way he immediately indicates that the remark is coming from someone who has respect for the sacrificial meat and the god to whom it was sacrificed.
Paul does not mention the reasons why a pagan host might want to tell his Christian guest that the meat on the table is sacrificial meat. Perhaps the host’s intention will be to warn the Christian, either thinking that Christians are not allowed to eat such meat, or not wishing them to eat the meat of a god whom they do not honour. Another possible intention can be that of testing the Christian.
Roman dinners often consisted of many courses. Therefore, the host’s warning would probably apply not to the whole meal, but to a part of it.
For the sake of the unbeliever himself, and for the sake of the unbeliever’s conscience (or rather, consciousness
), the believer should not eat sacrificial meat in such a case. As with meat on the meat market, he should give people no reason to associate Christ’s followers with idolatry.
28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience