1 Corinthians 8
August 3
Reading: 1 Corinthians 8
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-- as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"-- 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Paul, in chapter 8, is addressing another of the problems in the Corinthian church. Of course, this Greco-Roman city has a problem with idol worship. But that is not the problem that Paul is here confronting. This problem is about Christians who, again, are not thinking and behaving toward one another in loving ways.
Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) In spite of Jesus’ teaching, we still, in our churches, fail to see love for our brothers and sisters as essential obedience to God. It is the principal indication of Christian maturity. In Romans 13:10 we read, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Paul is applying this thinking here in 1 Corinthians.
At issue is the eating of food offered to idols. In much of the world, animals would be sacrificed to the pagan gods and then the meat sold in the market. Jews and many Christians though it wrong to eat such meat, that by doing so one would be participating in idolatry. These people often thought of themselves as holy or righteous for refusing to eat such meat. Possibly, this might be a cause for pride, but Paul is not speaking to this either.
Other Christians, well aware of their freedom in Christ and the fact that everything on earth is owned by God, were free to eat such meat. After all, these so-called gods do not really exist. (vss. 1-6) These Christians were flaunting their freedom by eating meat sacrificed to idols even in front of those who would not eat such meat. Thus, these other Christians are made to struggle in their faith. Might they think, “It must be ok to sin?” Or they might be offended thinking, “Do these Christians really care so little about me?” Or they might think that they cannot even be Christians.
The principle of love taught here by Paul applies to everything: smoking, drinking, eating, dancing, watching certain movies, listening to certain music, playing cards, how we dress, etc. If a Christian brother would be hurt or tempted to sin by your behavior, do not do it.