In 1 Cor 10, Paul warns again not to worship idols as some of the Israelites did. He then discusses the freedom we have in Christ --- "Everything is permissible". However, Paul says be careful not to cause anyone to stumble and consider the benefit for others , rather than just seeking your own good. He concludes this discussion by saying, "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God".

In 1 Cor 9, Paul discusses "rights of apostleship". First, he teaches that the body of Christ is obligated to support, care for, and fairly compensate our spiritual leaders. Paul gave up many of his "rights" ( to be compensated, to hospitality, to be married), in order to focus on living for Christ and winning others to Christ. Paul explains that he lives this way, not so that he can boast, but because he feels compelled by God. He says that his only compensation is the satisfaction he receives from preaching the Good News without expense or obligation to people. Clearly, Paul's life goals were to live for Christ and to bring people to Christ. In conclusion of this chapter, Paul discusses these goals with an illustration of a race. Paul explains that living your life for Christ ("run in such a way") requires discipline and self-control. Preaching and leading others to Christ takes a lot of time, training ,work, and energy. Paul talks of fear that if he doesn't live in such a way, that he could lose his privilege of telling others about Christ ( "that I myself might be disqualified"). In other words, he was concerned about practicing what he preached. Consider your life goals. Do they lead toward an eternal, imperishable reward?

1 Cor 8 addresses food offered to idols , specifically whether Christians may eat such food. Paul offers many considerations, but the decisive factor is whether others present believe it to be immoral or sinful. Though we don't even acknowledge the existence of idols or gods other than our God, we must consider what affect our decision to eat such food will have on our weaker brethren. Paul says to "take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak". Paul says that in becoming a hindrance to the weaker brethren, "wounding their conscience", you not only sin against them but also sin against Christ. There are probably many modern examples of situations that we need behave prudently also, being careful not to exercise our liberty in Christ in the presence of "weaker brethren". We must let love and edification of the body be the guiding rule in such decisions.

In 1 cor 7, Paul addresses marriage, saying it is legitimate for Christians to marry if they desire. But, he says those who are single or are widows should remain single if they can maintain self-control. Paul says, "each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him". However, Paul says also "those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this." "I would like you to be free from concern.. about the affairs of this world ---how to pleas his wife--". Paul says in this way, a married person's interests are divided. He encourages singles, that they may "live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord".

In 1 Cor 6, Paul first teaches that the church should handle their own disputes without the need for legal courts. As Christians , we have the indwelling Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ and will someday be judges of the angels and the whole world. Next, Paul addresses those who continue in a lifestyle of sexual sin and call themselves believers. Those who do so are not regenerate and will not share in the kingdom of God. However, those who are now regenerate may have struggled with such sins in their prior life, but now have been made right and no longer are slaves to sin. Paul says that believers will continue to occasionally struggle with sin, but not live a sinful lifestyle. We are free in Christ, but our bodies are now for the Lord's purposes. Our bodies are actually parts of Christ. Once more, our bodies don't even belong to us, since God bought us with a high price. Therefore, Paul says to "honor God with your body" by striving to live by His standards.

In 1 Cor 5, Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for tolerating individuals inside the church who lived blatantly sinful lifestyles. Paul says that not only were they continuing to fellowship with these wicked individuals, but they were prideful and boasted in their spirituality. Paul instructed them to expel such immoral brethren, that they may turn from their ways in repentance and be restored again to fellowship. But if they continued to tolerate these individuals inside the church, everyone else will be affected, as " a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough".

1 Cor 4 teaches that church leaders (pastors, elders, etc.) are "mere servants of Christ" and should not be judged with relativity, but should simply be held accountable to their faithfulness. Only the Lord can know what is motivating a man's heart, and He alone can therefore give whatever reward is due. And since all that a man has is from God, there is no meaning in boasting in man. Leaders who have the mind of Christ will not dogmatize " beyond what is written" , in order to be revered at the expense of other leaders. This teaching is in light of the circumstances which Paul finds himself in the Corinthian church, where divisions have occurred due to spiritual pride and boasting in particular leaders. Paul simply asks them to recognize his special relationship as the one who founded their church and brought to them the Good News. Paul asks them not to admire the "fancy talk" of particular leaders, but to follow his example of "living by God's power" "with quiet love and gentleness".