1 Corinthians
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1 Corinthians 8
1 Corinthians 8
1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Commentary · verse 1
Doctrines on this passage
2If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;
2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
Commentary · verse 2
Doctrine: If any man thinks he knows anything so well he cannot be taught anything new, then he is proving he does not know everything. We will never know everything and we ought to always be willing and able to consider we could be wrong. That is humility.
Doctrines on this passage
3but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.
3But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Commentary · verse 3
Those who love God are known to be humble. Again, Paul contrasted knowledge and love, and love was the better option.
Doctrines on this passage
4Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one.
5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many; 6yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.
4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Commentary · verses 4-6
Paul began with basic facts: Idols are but images, they are not God. There is only one God.
7Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
Commentary · verse 7
Paul presented two possible reasons why people eat food sacrificed to an idol:
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Some people do not realize there is only one God.
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Some believers have a weak conscience and are defiled by idols.
8But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.
8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
Commentary · verse 8
Eating food that is offered to idols is the WHAT, and the WHAT does not matter. What matters is WHY the food is eaten. Is it because the person is worshipping that idol? Is it because the person is hungry and needs nourishment? Paul essentially stated there were conditions that would allow a believer to eat food sacrificed to idols without it being a sin.
9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.
9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Commentary · verse 9
However, Paul referenced a topic he shared in Chapter 5: do not let your actions be a stumblingblock to those believers who were weaker in the faith. Paul showed that there was a condition that ought to prevent a believer from eating food sacrificed to idols: if eating food offered to idols caused a believer who was weak in the faith to stumble. Paul then gave the HOW and WHY...
10For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?
10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
Commentary · verse 10
If someone weak of conscience sees you eating meat offered to idols, they might eat it too and in their conscience become defiled.
11For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.
11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
Commentary · verse 11
Notice, Paul gave an example of how knowledge led to unprofitability. This knowledge that you can eat food sacrificed to idols may cause that weak one to perish.
12And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.
12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Commentary · verse 12
Doctrine: When we sin against the weak and wound their weak conscience, we sin against Christ. Causing a brother to stumble is a sin.
13Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.
13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Commentary · verse 13
Theme of Chapter 8: Paul began his answer for whether believers ought to eat food sacrificed to idols. Paul stated love, not knowledge, ought to guide the believer's actions. Paul explained that the WHAT (eating food sacrificed to idols) was not wrong, it was the HOW and WHY supporting this WHAT. Paul gave an example where knowing that it was possible to eat food sacrificed to idols could result in sinning against a believer who was weaker in the faith, which ultimately could lead to sinning against Christ. Paul referred to the context he presented in Chapter 5 concerning being a stumblingblock to support this Doctrine. Then Paul turned the focus on himself and his own liberty...
Doctrines on this passage
The next topic the church in Corinth wrote about that Paul wanted to address was "things sacrificed to idols."
Doctrine: Knowledge caused pride. The devil had knowledge, which led to pride. The devil does not have understanding or wisdom, both of which creates.
Love builds up. Love creates and is profitable. Paul's answer to this question was complex and covered three chapters. Paul's ultimate answer to this issue was stated in this first verse of the first of these three chapters: Love edifieth. The guiding principle behind the answer to this question was love. However, people erred because they thought the answer was knowledge. Remember, Paul spent the first three chapters of this letter with an introduction that proved man's wisdom was foolishness when it came to spiritual issues. Again, Paul created that context in order to frame his answer to this question...