1 Corinthians 8

Bible Passage:  1 Corinthians 8

Today’s chapter compares two things – knowledge and love.

It starts off saying

“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”

But as I typed the above I have to say that we must be clear that God’s love and man’s love is different, and as Christians we must learn what it means to truly love, as God does, not like how the world preaches love blindly, in ignorance and in sin.

This chapter is one that some Christians misuse to teach that it is okay to eat food offered to idols, since idols are so-called gods but there is only one God. But we know that it is clearly stated in Acts 15:29, which says

“that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.”

There is no doubt therefore that we should not eat things offered to idols. So what is Paul really talking about here? There is the motivation of this passage, as well as the basis of this passage we want to look into.

I had a little trouble finding out the basis of this passage, so I sought some help with a church brother. Thank God, that having to write blog, just like having to prepare RE lessons, forces me to ask questions and clarify, and learn in the process.

After getting some pointers, I am reminded of what a new believer who is fervently reading the Bible said, that 1 Corinthians is not easy to understand because Paul seemed to be talking in circles. The church brother whom I asked told me to read Chapter 10. So I read chapter 8 to 10. In fact in the beginning of 9:4, Paul wrote, “Do we have no right to eat and drink?”

So he already hints here that there are members in Corinth who argue for their right for their action, in the claim for their liberty of God’s grace. Do we not also hear of brethren who ask “what is wrong with doing this?”

Then in Chapter 10, verses 14-22, he touches on the topic of idolatry again. He says what sounds like a disclaimer first, in 10:19

“What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?”

It becomes clear that there were many members in the Corinth church who thinks that since idols are not gods, food offered to idols are food offered to nothing, which means there is nothing wrong with eating those food.

However this time, Paul explains that what are offered to idols are what gentiles sacrificed to demons, and eating food offered to idols is fellowship with idols!

Yes I have learned this before but I cannot remember this passage when I was pondering about Chapter 8… it’s good to be reminded once again! Time to make a note in my Bible.

So really we cannot read chapter 8 in insolation, as it is a running message through the later chapters. It is a warning to those who think they are knowledgeable and think they are strong, as Paul warns in 10:12

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

And he is reminding the Corinthians, and also us today, that what is important in the house of God is not what we know or think we know, but how we come to know God through serving Him and our brethren in love.

In another of Paul’s epistle, he also mentioned,

“It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.” Rom 14:21

This is the motivation of Paul’s message.

Indeed there are more than food and drink that can cause us to become a stumbling block to others. What can you think of?

Off my mind, I can think of the following:

• Should Christians wear mini-skirts or shorts and stockings?
• Can Christians go clubbing?
• Is it a sin to visit the disco if we do not join in the sensual dancing?
• Should Christians drive big cars and splurge on luxury goods?

The love that we teach in church is love for the souls of man. We should do everything we can to save the souls of man and should refrain to do anything that will cause our brethren to fall. It is learning not to be self-centered but putting the interests of others before our own.

When we are thinking of whether to do something or not, do we think about whether it is right or wrong, or do we think about whether our action will be pleasing to God or not? Our conduct that edifies others and glorifies God will surely be pleasing to Him.

But an action that may not be condemned by the law (the Word) does not necessarily mean will be acceptable to God. With this understanding the Bible would have provided much more guidance to our lives then the do’s and the do not’s that we can find in there. I would like to conclude with the following two verses, which sound a lot more meaningful to read after writing all of the above.

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Cor 10:31

“And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.”
1 Cor 8:2-3