Paul continues his reasoning with a second question. Barnes paraphrases it: "If I partake by grace; if by the grace and mercy of God, I have a right to partake of this; yet why should I so conduct as to expose myself to the reproaches and evil surmises of others?" Gill reads it the same way: "why should I expose myself to evil tongues." The believer can eat with thanks to God. But if eating in that setting would lead others to speak evil of him, why insist on it? The question explains why a thankful believer may still choose not to eat.

Paul answers with the principle that governs all of this: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). He continues, "Give none offence" (1 Corinthians 10:32), and gives his own example of seeking "the profit of many, that they may be saved" (1 Corinthians 10:33). In the next line he urges, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

"By grace" translates the Greek chariti, which can mean by grace or with thankfulness; the ESV reads "with thankfulness." Gill gives two possible meanings: sharing in Christian liberty "through the grace of God," or sharing in the food God has given men through his goodness. "Evil spoken of" is blasphemoumai, I am spoken against (the ESV has "denounced"), and "give thanks" is eucharisteo. Barnes says the phrase "for which I give thanks" seems to be a way of saying "food," since believers gave thanks for their meals.

The believer receives his food from God with thanks. Yet Paul shows that even a good and thankful act can be the wrong choice when it brings reproach on the gospel. The question is not about guilt but about wisdom and love.

Paul's answer lifts the matter above food altogether. Matthew Henry writes, "In eating and drinking, and in all we do, we should aim at the glory of God, at pleasing and honouring him." The goal is not to defend our rights but to honor God and help others toward salvation (1 Corinthians 10:33).