Commentary of the Book of 1st Corinthians
By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins
Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible
Bible Study 1 Corinthians 8: 1-13
Text:
Take Care with Your Liberty
8 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone thinks that he has known anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he has been known by Him.
4 Therefore, concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that [a]an idol is nothing 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 one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.
7 However, not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food will not [b]commend us to God. We neither lack if we do not eat, nor abound if we do eat. 9 But see to it that this [c]authority of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be built up to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And in that way, by sinning against the brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again—ever, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.
Verse by verse commentary:
Verse 1: “Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”
In Greek and Roman cultures, which were characterized by polytheism (the worship of many gods) and polydemonism (the belief in many evil spirits), a common fear was that evil spirits would attach themselves to food. The belief was that the only way to purify the food and remove this "demonic contamination" was to sacrifice it to a god. This act of sacrifice served two purposes: to gain favor with the god and to cleanse the meat. After the sacrifice, the parts not burned on the altar were used in pagan feasts. Any leftovers were then sold in the public market. For Gentile believers who had converted to Christianity, the meat purchased from idol markets was deeply upsetting. It served as a painful reminder of their former pagan lives and demonic worship. In contrast, mature believers, including the Apostle Paul, understood that the pagan deities did not exist and that the meat was not truly contaminated by evil spirits. However, these mature believers recognized a higher principle: that knowledge must be tempered with love. Exercising a freedom that offends a "weaker" believer is detrimental. Instead, believers should use their understanding to build one another up in truth and wisdom.
Verse 2: “ If anyone thinks that he has known anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;”
Knowledge tends to inflate one's perception of self-importance, similar to an expanding balloon or inflated tire. Love, conversely, does not inflate but rather fulfills. Conduct should be determined by one's love for God and for others. Knowledge in isolation tends to breed arrogance and can lead to severity in interactions with others. This presents a particular risk for many individuals who believe they possess extensive knowledge, yet in reality, their comprehension remains limited.
Verse 3: “but if anyone loves God, he has been known by Him.”
Instead of focusing on the extent of their own knowledge, the Corinthians ought to be more concerned with being known by God.
Verse 4: “Therefore, concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one.”
The Corinthians defended their practice of eating food offered to idols by appealing to the doctrine of monotheism. Their logic was that if there is only one God, and He condemns idols, then there is no harm in consuming such food. Paul confirms the truth of their premise but then identifies a flaw in their application of this doctrine.
Verse 5: “For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,”
The "gods" represented by these idols were utterly powerless. I recall an experience in India where people were sacrificing scarce food to various idols, including a "tree god." It struck me that they were giving their precious food to a mere tree; it was meaningless. Similarly, in Corinth, meat offered to an idol was simply set aside briefly before being sent to the market. The offering had no actual effect on the meat because the idol itself was insignificant. The well-taught Christian understood this truth: there is only one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, who created all things and to whom all things belong.
Verse 6: “ yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.”
The text offers a clear and powerful statement confirming the fundamental equality of God the Son and God the Father. This destroys the theology of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Oneness Pentecostals and proves them to be false cults.
Verse 7: “However, not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.”
Christians with weak consciences struggle to separate the consumption of food offered to idols from the act of idolatry itself. When they partake in such food, their conscience is "defiled." This strong wording suggests that these less-mature believers are committing a sin not just because they feel they are doing wrong, but because they have reverted to their former idolatrous practices.
Verse 8: “But food will not commend us to God. We neither lack if we do not eat, nor abound if we do eat.”
Food itself holds no spiritual significance. The goal of being "commended" to God is to draw us closer to Him or to earn His approval.
Verse 9: “But see to it that this authority of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.”
The issue is not whether it is inherently right or wrong to consume meat, but rather a matter of concern for others. While you possess the freedom to eat the meat, consideration for the impact on others is paramount. You have the requisite knowledge, but where is your accompanying love? Do you demonstrate love for your weaker brother? Are you concerned with how your actions will affect him?
Verse 10: “For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be built up to eat things sacrificed to idols?”
My freedom to act is not absolute; I willingly choose to refrain from many things. This decision is rooted in love, specifically my desire not to cause offense or harm to a weaker brother. I am careful not to be the cause of his spiritual stumbling or distance from the Lord.
Verse 11: “For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.”
The issue isn't whether an action is inherently right or wrong, but rather the effect that activity has on a weak brother or your neighbor. Ultimately, knowledge itself can be very dangerous.
Verse 12: “And in that way, by sinning against the brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.”
When one's actions cause a fellow believer to stray from the path of Christ, it constitutes an offense against Christ Himself.
Verse 13: “Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again—ever, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.”
The deliberation should not center on whether an action is inherently right or wrong, but rather on its potential effect upon a weaker brother. The issue is not one of mere intellectual knowledge. Although all things may be permissible for the believer, the freedom of a Christian is not strictly defined by legalism, nor is it circumscribed by rigid rules of conduct. Instead, this liberty is bounded by the principle of love. The Christian's motivation ought to be to avoid causing offense and, conversely, to serve as a source of blessing to the brother. This principle establishes the standard for Christian conduct and provides its underlying motivation. While personal knowledge may affirm the propriety of an action, love for the weaker brother mandates abstention from it.
