Corinthians I Chapter 8
Corinthians I Chapter 8
Now as touching things offered unto idols,
We know that we all have knowledge.
Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 1
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing,
He knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 2
But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 3
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. 4
For though there be that are called gods,
Whether in heaven or in earth,
As there be gods many, and lords many, 5
But to us one God, the Father,
Of all things, and we in him;
And one Lord Jesus Christ,
By whom all things, and we by him. 6
Howbeit 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. 7
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. 8
But take heed lest by any means
This liberty of yours become a stumbling block
To them that are weak. 9
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; 10
And through thy knowledge
Shall the weak brother perish,
For whom Christ died? 11
But when ye sin so against the brethren,
And wound their weak conscience,
Ye sin against Christ. 12
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend,
I will eat no flesh while the world standeth,
Lest I make my brother to offend. 13
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March 20th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Corinthians I Chapter 8 Eating Food Offered To Idols
In the ancient world, just as today, food was, and is, offered as an enticement to sway the minds of people and alienate affections. Mothers exercise some control over their family by providing dainties that they have come to depend on as “comfort food.”
The “soup kitchen” of one type or another is often the key to men’s allegiances. The politician who pays for a large barbecue spread for the voters can get votes that way.
Churches then and now often fed people to gain their memberships. Thus, a substantial part of the New Testament deals with the important matter of the new members of the new Christian church eating the food offered up by other “idolatrous” religions of the time.
Paul in this Chapter meets the issue head on, and lays out some guidelines and cautions. He says, in effect, that some in the Church may be so strong and sophisticated that they can eat the meat offered to idols and stay true to Christ, but they should think what kind of examples they are offering to the newer and sometimes weaker Christians. They shouldn’t assume that just because they can withstand the temptations of the idolatrous churches that every one else can.
Some may be able to dance with the devil and stay pure, but is everyone so strong? Some may be able to go on welfare and still stay a Conservative Republican, but others are not so strong, and if they went on welfare they might well feel they should support the system that is giving them this money.