What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "1 Corinthians 10:8...if someone sees you sitting in the temple of idols... Is Paul really speaking here about brothers sitting in a pagan idol temple and eating idol meat... Isn't that a spiritual description? Or how should this be understood?"
Answer
The writings of Ellen G. White make clear that Paul strongly warned the believers in Corinth against participating in actions that could give the appearance of supporting idolatry or offending the conscience of weaker brothers. Although he also understood idolatry to include a spiritual component—such as selfishness or the gratification of desires—the immediate historical context referred to the real danger of falling back into the degrading customs of paganism. Therefore, Christians should do nothing that could be interpreted as endorsing idol worship, so as not to cause offense.
Warning against the appearance of idolatry
»Paul urged his brothers to ask themselves what influence their words and actions would have on others, and to do nothing, however innocent it might seem, that appeared to sanction idolatry or could offend the scruples of those who might be weak in faith. "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. Give no offense to the Jews nor the Greeks nor the church of God." ... By idolatry he understood not only the worship of idols, but also self‑service, love of convenience, the gratification of appetite and passion.«
Falling back into pagan sins
»The members of the church in Corinth were surrounded by idolatry and sensuality in its most seductive form. ... After Paul's departure, however, unfavorable conditions arose; weed that had been sown by the enemy appeared among the wheat, and soon these began to bear their evil fruit. ... Not a few who had, at the time of their conversion, laid aside their bad habits, returned to the degrading sins of paganism.«
Separation from idolatrous influences
»“What similarity does the temple of God have with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said: 'I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from them and set yourselves apart, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; thus I will receive you.'”«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
