Who is the "someone" in 1 Cor 10:27-29?

[MarcoPolo]

1 Cor 10:27-29 If an unbeliever invites you and you want to go, eat whatever is placed before you, without raising questions on grounds of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This was offered in sacrifice,” do not eat it on account of the one who called attention to it and on account of conscience; I mean not your own conscience, but the other’s. Who do you think is the “someone”? Is it another believer who is there eating with you? Or is it referring to an unbeliever who invites you for dinner and tells you to eat his sacrificed meat?

 

[BRB]

an unbeliever … since a believer would not offer food sacrificed to idols.

 

[Della]

St. Paul is referring to those Jewish Christians who couldn’t get past the idea that eating animal flesh offered to idols was a sin. St. Paul says it isn’t but for the sake of the conscience of those who cannot accept that it means nothing, to abstain if they object. It’s a lesson in being sensitive to the weaknesses/hang-ups of others.

 

[MarcoPolo]

What I am asking is:

Is there more than just the believer and unbeliever present? See Haydock comments both ways. Is the person who makes the comment about the food the unbeliever? Or is it another believer present for whom you should not try to confuse by abstaining from the food?Haydock - And why must they not then eat of it? because either he is an infidel that says it: and then by saying so, he may mean that they who eat it, ought to eat it in honour of their gods. Or if a weak brother says so, he thereby signifies, that his conscience judges it not lawful to be eaten; so that in one case, you seem to consent that things are to be taken in honour of idols: in the other, you give offence to your weak brother: and I would have you to be without offence, both to Jews and Gentiles; and not to think it enough that you can eat such things with thanksgiving. Other commentaries?

 

[Ignatius]

1 Cor 10:27-29 If an unbeliever invites you and you want to go, eat whatever is placed before you, without raising questions on grounds of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This was offered in sacrifice,” do not eat it on account of the one who called attention to it and on account of conscience; I mean not your own conscience, but the other’s. Who do you think is the “someone”? Is it another believer who is there eating with you? Or is it referring to an unbeliever who invites you for dinner and tells you to eat his sacrificed meat?

It’s anyone. We are to ‘Refrain from that which is offered to idols’.

 

[ryanoneil]

The only time its a big deal is if someone points out the food’s idolatrous origin. That way people won’t think Christians have a casual attitude toward idolatry.

Peace,

Ryan