Read 1 Corinthians 8
Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols
1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.
4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
Go Deeper
What’s the big deal about eating meat? We “know” that meat in and of itself is neutral. There is no sin in it; however, to the Corinthians, meat offered to idols or pagan gods was a source of division for the new believers there. Some said eating the meat from pagan temples is a sin and would lead to idol worship (again). Others said all things are permissible and there is freedom in Christ. Who’s right?
Both. Both sides of the argument had right information, or right knowledge, about the meat in question. The point Paul is making is that knowledge alone is never enough. Knowledge makes us feel important. We like knowledge. Knowledge is easy to navigate. It’s black and white. It feeds the ego. But knowledge alone only leads to pride and self-righteousness. Paul isn’t encouraging the Corinthians to be mindless followers, he is encouraging them to apply knowledge through the lens of love because knowledge may make one feel important for the moment, but love makes all believers better in the long run. Knowing what to do isn’t as important as why we do it.
Paul reminds us that Christian liberty is not a license to exercise personal rights at the expense of another. Oftentimes, Paul asks believers to lay down their rights for the benefit of another. In other words, just because we can doesn’t always mean we should. We may be free to do one thing, but that one thing may not be profitable or beneficial for another.
The question Paul implies is this: What does love require? Is there someone watching what we say or do that could be influenced poorly by our actions? Love requires restraint in that instance. Love lays down preferences for the sake of another. Love limits liberty when necessary because love knows that another may be set free by our restraint. Knowledge is prominent, but love is paramount.
After all, this is the example of Jesus—giving up His freedom for our benefit.
Questions
What does it mean that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up”? (v. 1)
What are some “gray areas” in your life where you have the right to exercise freedom in Christ, but love requires you to lay that right down for the sake of another?
What stands out most to you in this chapter? What is one application you can put into practice today?
Keep Digging
Debates about food may seem strange to us, but for further study, read this.
2 thoughts on “1 Corinthians 8”
My prayer for each one reading Paul’s instructions today is that we would fully appreciate the word of God, gain understanding of its truth, and by applying it to our daily living we might walk in righteousness, loving God with all our being. When we truly love God, we will also love others well. That means we set aside our wants to tenderly care for another’s needs. We live selflessly instead of selfishly. When we do it shows that we remember the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. Once again that word humility comes knocking at our door, let’s choose it!
Knowing truth, as we should, to gain more knowledge is being “puffed up”, but sharing the truth and knowledge with love are two different objectives. We can not just spout off the Biblically “truths” without putting forth love as the precursor. When someone comes at you with that “puffed up knowledge” we all shut down listening even if what they are saying is correct and in line with the Bible. But when we hear the same “message” coming from a humble heart with a Godly love coating, then we can hear. We can beat people over the head with our “knowledge” but as that old saying goes “you get more flies with honey than with vinegar” means it is a good idea to be nice to others. You can win over people more easily by being polite and kind.in love; Being mean with your knowledge or unpleasant is like being full of vinegar.
Love, Godly agape love is the answer to all the questions of life.
God thank You for love goggles to see Your people through Your lenses. God thank You for humility in knowledge. Thank You for discernment to know if perhaps what I say or do makes my “brother” stumble. God thank You for Your voice coming through loud and clear minutely for all opportunities presented to me today in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!