March 15, 2022
Love God. Love Others.
1 Corinthians 8
Brooke Holt
Central Truth
As believers, our primary focus should always be on those around us, seeking to build them up in love rather than exalting ourselves.
Key Verse | 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.
1 Corinthians 8
Food Offered to Idols
1 Now concerning 1 8:1 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1 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. 2 8:3 Greek him
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 3 8:10 Greek reclining at table in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, 4 8:10 Or fortified; Greek built up 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 5 8:12 Or brothers and sisters 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.
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | 1 Corinthians 8
Food. Idols. Conscience. Puffing up. Building up. Wow! Paul packs a lot into this short chapter. You might have read it for the first time and asked yourself, "What does this have to do with me today? What's the common denominator?"
If you break 1 Corinthians 8 down to the core issue, it is love. There were believers in Corinth who felt the freedom to eat meat sacrificed to idols, and there were believers who felt that doing so was a sin. The Corinthians who knew it was okay to eat the meat sacrificed to idols were not loving others around them. The knowledge that this meat had no real harm was causing those with weaker consciences to question their convictions in a "gray area" of life and therefore to sin by violating these convictions.
They say that knowledge is power. The more we read, take in, and know, the more in control we feel. I've experienced this in my short time as a mom, but especially in the early days of having newborns. If I could read the right blog, figure out why my baby wasn't eating or sleeping well, I could punch my ticket to "fixing" the problem and making everyone happier. (Spoiler alert: you can't "fix" or control a newborn.)
They say that knowledge is power, but God, through the words of Paul, says that love is power. Now that I am three years past the newborn stage, I can see how striving to know all the things about babies did nothing to help those tiny humans. What has ultimately helped to build them up is the nurture, love, and care I have been able to provide them when I submit to Christ.
We might not be wrestling with whether to eat meat sacrificed to idols, but we have ample opportunity to love others through humility rather than showcasing our own power and freedom. Jesus set the ultimate example for us here, and we can look to Him for the strength to build others up before we put ourselves on display.
Discussion Questions
1. Where can you exercise love over knowledge? How can you build others up in their faith rather than building yourself up?
2. Do you know the difference between behaviors that the Bible specifically condemns and "gray areas"? If you need help understanding this concept, read Romans 14.
3. In these "gray areas," are you willing to give up your own freedom for the sake of others if necessary?