1 Corinthians 8
The last chapter was pretty long and this is one of the shorter chapters. This addresses a new subject regarding eating meat that has been sacrificed to idols. We see here our Christian liberty and also that our charity should overrule our liberty.
Verse 13 key verse: Love First.
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
First we see that love edifies/builds others up. Knowledge makes one proud. Great standalone verse.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Knowledge is a good thing, and we need it, that why we have so many chapters about doctrine. It’s important. But knowledge can also lead to pride. Love is better. Loves builds others up. This chapter is bookended with verses about the importance of love.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
If we think we know it all, or know it all on one subject, we really know nothing. People had the right knowledge about idols and the sacrifices to them, but they lacked a proper attitude. Great message here.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Love is what matters and the kind of knowledge that matters most is God knowing you!
1 John 4:7-8 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
4 As 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.
So now that the importance of love is shown, and this is of course further developed in chapter 13, we read about meat sacrificed to idols.
Paul seems to agree with the Corinthians who had a tendency to overemphasize liberty in Christ, however, there was more they needed to be aware of.
Great verse on there being one God and idols are nothing in the world. There is no Jupiter god or Apollo god. These are just imaginations. BUT,
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
The idols are called gods, and throughout the bible we see “gods” mentioned not because there are actually other gods but because people treated their little wood carvings like gods.
I'm not sure where the rest of my notes went, but maybe I'll redo these last verses at some point :)
6 But 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.
7 Howbeit 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.
8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 For 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;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.