1 Corinthians Bible Study Chapter 8

You will remember the last time we studied Corinthians in Chapter 7 that we made discussion of the topics of marriage as it relates to Christian life.

Get married if the urge to enter for sexual promiscuity prevails to keep you from sin-in other words-get married.

The realization that husband and wife have need for intimacy and within the bounds of marriage-our bodies belong to our spouses and we need to be cognizant of each others needs.

Honor times of concession for spiritual renewal

Remain single (unless you can’t exercise self control as it relates to intimacy) and offer your life for the Lord and the fact single people have less obligations such that they can commit their lives totally to the things of God.

keep marital vows related to believer vs. unbeliever.

He addresses in chapter 8 the abuse of better yet to respect Christian Liberty for the greater good of the Kingdom and love for others.

While believers in Christ are not under the law in terms of condemnation or justification, the law still holds value as a guide for righteous living. This is a key nuance in Christian theology, and Paul often addresses this balance in his letters.

For example, today we do not keep the law from a motivation of condemnation with God, now let’s understand something clearly, if you are pulled over doing 80 miles per hour, there can be condemnation and judgment here on earth, but speeding will not send you to eternal damnation. But, in the same breath, the law was designed to keep us safe and driving at a speed that provides adequate time to think to respond if we need to stop. The law is given as a guide in righteous living.

1. The laws reveal sin.

Romans 7:7 “7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.””

2. Freedom from the Law’s Condemnation

Through Christ, we believers are set free from the law’s power to condemn us.

Romans 10:4 “4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Romans 8:1 “1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

3. The law is profitable for Christian living

Although we are not bound by the law for salvation, the law reflects God’s character and wisdom.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 “16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

4. Lawful but not profitable

1 Corinthians 6:12 “12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

Just because something is permissible under grace does not mean it is beneficial. The believer exercises freedom through the filter of love, wisdom, and the pursuit of holiness.

This background is crucial to understanding this liberty that we have been offered, but within the bounds of Christian liberty, we must manage those liberties.

And ultimately note this. We now place ourselves today under the law not from a fear of condemnation, but under the sense of love in honoring our Heavenly Father and know that it leads to us living a life that is pleasing in His sight.

In tonight’s text, let’s be a little more specific to what they were facing in Corinth as these Greeks were coming to know Christ. Let’s look at the practices and what the converts lived out in their former life.

In Corinth, as you probably remember from your World History classes, Romans as well as Greeks worshipped many gods. and cosmopolitan city, pagan worship was woven into daily life. Temples to various gods like Apollo, Mercury (Hermes), Asclepius, and Aphrodite were prominent. The Temple of Apollo, in particular, dominated the city's skyline. Meat sacrificed to idols was a common part of temple rituals.

Greek God Roman God Domain

Zeus Jupiter King of the gods, sky, thunder

Hera Juno Queen of the gods, marriage, family

Poseidon Neptune Sea, earthquakes, horses

Demeter Ceres Agriculture, harvest

Athena Minerva Wisdom, war (strategy), crafts

Apollo Apollo Sun, music, prophecy, healing

and there were more, Pluto, Mars, Hades-god of the underworld, wealth.

When an animal was sacrificed in these temples, the meat was distributed in three primary ways:

A Portion Burned on the Altar – This was the actual sacrificial act, offering the meat to the god.

A Portion Given to the Priests – This served as payment or sustenance for the temple priests.

A Portion Given to the Worshiper – The remaining meat could be taken home, used for feasts, or sold in the market.

Meat from such sacrifices often ended up in public markets (the agora). This meant that eating meat in Corinth, whether at home or in a public banquet, carried the possibility that it had once been part of idol worship.

Knowledge Vs. Love vv. 1-6

1 Corinthians 8:1–3 NKJV

1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

The question of the hour that we need to understand is that Paul is addressing today what we term Christian liberty. Paul further states that as we grow in Christ and we understand the liberties we have in Christ, we should not die on the vein of knowledge, but let love be the overruling theme.

And so within the bounds of the law, our culture, our upbringing, the climate of the church we are reared in, all of have conscience. There are actions I could take that would bring conviction, but might not affect you in the same fashion.

-Pointing your finger

-Bluntness or direct vs. indirect in certain cultures

-individual recognition over group recognition

-casual physical contact

-wearing shoes in someone’s home

-Dress Codes as even relates to church. Do you know for example that Snoudown Baptist still holds to more formal dress code?

In this case, here you have a group of young converts in the faith that came from a total pagan background and had exercised with regularity in their former life sacrificing meat to false god idols. That behavior was in their past. They wanted no part of it. And, they did not in any way want to point their tents toward Sodom if you will. They did not want anything to come to remembrance of that former life and cause them to backslide.

On the other side of the fence you had Jewish converts that sensed nothing wrong with buying meat from the Agora and getting a deal on the meat. They knew all along that those inanimate objects that the Greeks called gods were just that, they were inanimate objects with no power. Can you imagine a Jew wanting a deal on something?

And, the pastor of the church who was a mature saint would tell his wife and go down to the Agora and buy us some lamb chops. At Publix and Winn Dixie, they are $8.00/lb, but they are selling top quality lamb chops down at the temple for $2.75/lb. By all means go get it. Remember, when a worshipper carried his or her animals for sacrifice, they were top grade. This was top grade meat.

Examples Today:

We live in the Bible Belt South-on the site of Alcap are these subject matters.

Alcohol, gambling, drugs, tobacco/vaping.

Do you know there are areas in our country and especially in other parts of the world that when the service is over members will go to a pub to enjoy a drink, even the pastor?

You can look back on television shows from the 40’s through the 60’s and you would find that the mass majority of people smoked. In fact, there is a scene at the Masters when Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan were alive that they were both smoking cigarettes on the Tee box before hitting their balls. We saw the Humphrey Bogart's, Bette Davis, Rita Hayworth, Joan Crawford, Audrey Hepburn, Clark Gable, Steve McQueen, Clark Gable. There was a day in this country in the not so far past when a Pastor would smoke a cigarette after he preached a message.

Galatians 5:6 “6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.”

Acts 10:9–16 NKJV

9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

1 Corinthians 8:4–6 NKJV

4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

Some believers, confident in their knowledge, understood that idols were powerless and that there is only one true God. However, others, particularly newer converts, struggled with the lingering associations of idol worship from their past.

Verse 5 comes as part of Paul's broader argument on Christian liberty, knowledge, and love. He acknowledges the reality that in Corinth—and throughout the Greco-Roman world—many entities were worshiped as gods or lords. Temples dedicated to deities such as Apollo, Aphrodite, and Poseidon were common, and emperors were often referred to as "lord" in reverence. Key Insights: "So-called gods" – Paul uses the phrase “so-called gods” to emphasize that while people may refer to these deities as gods, they are not true gods. This echoes the biblical principle that while idols may exist physically, they lack any real divine power (Psalm 115:4-8).

Psalm 115:4–8 “4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.” Cultural Realism – Paul acknowledges the cultural context in which the Corinthians live. Pagan temples were widespread, and the belief in multiple gods and lords was part of daily life. Paul does not deny the presence of these figures in society but highlights their lack of true divinity. This reflects Paul's pastoral sensitivity—he doesn't dismiss the experiences of those who once believed in such gods but seeks to ground them in the truth of monotheism.

-I believe in this whole topic there is a broad paintbrush we need to address. Key in on love over culture.

How does your demeanor or expressions change when you see someone with Tatoos and piercings from head to toe?

We are seeing at a higher rate today than I have ever encountered mixed marriage. How does it strike you when you see a mixed marriage? Let me make it more personal. How does it strike you when one of your children or grandchildren are in a relationship with a person of a different race or culture? Christian liberty states there is nothing wrong with it. Upbringing and culture influences those convictions. Do you want people to know you by your love or your convictions?

Let’s go for broke. How do you respond when you see two homosexuals expoliting their relationship in public? Now let me quickly state those actions are against the word of God, but I think there is a great lesson in how we respond as to being able to reach those individuals in love. "Many 'gods' and 'lords'" – The repetition of gods and lords reflects the stratified divine hierarchy in Greco-Roman religion. People worshiped different deities for various aspects of life—gods for war, harvest, love, and trade. Additionally, rulers and emperors often claimed divine status. This mirrors the tiered spiritual powers referenced in Ephesians 6:12 (“principalities and powers”).

Ephesians 6:12 “12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Implication for Believers – Paul's point is not to validate polytheism but to contrast these so-called deities with the one true God revealed in the next verse: “Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ...” (1 Corinthians 8:6). While the world recognizes many gods, believers recognize only one true God and one Lord, Jesus Christ. Application to Christian Liberty: Knowledge and Sensitivity: Paul acknowledges the theological truth—there is only one God—but he also recognizes the pastoral need to be sensitive to those who may still feel the weight of their past beliefs.

Love Over Knowledge: Even though some Christians know that idols are powerless, their actions (such as eating meat sacrificed to idols) could cause others to stumble. This serves as a reminder that knowledge should be tempered by love and concern for the spiritual well-being of others (1 Corinthians 8:9).

1 Corinthians 8:9 “9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.”

Takeaway for Today: This verse reminds believers to navigate cultural and spiritual differences with grace, acknowledging the realities around them without compromising the truth of God's sovereignty. In a world filled with competing ideologies and "lords," Christians are called to live by the reality that there is one true God and one Lord, Jesus Christ.

2. Stumbling Block Concept VV. 7-10

1 Corinthians 8:7–10 NKJV

7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. 9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?

I share two examples from a pastor’s perspective of having knowledge, balanced with conviction, balanced with love.

Many of you remember Ken May. Ken May was our DOM for MBA before Dr. Neal Hughes. Ken was Jane and my Campus Minister at AUM in the Baptist Student Union. Ken would sometimes supply preach at Eastdale Baptist where both my parents and Jane and I attended in our early marriage.

Ill. Ken May-Dad’s truck, Dr. Johnny Hunt-Mercedes

Personal Example-my own actions

3. Christian Liberty and Responsibility vv. 10-13

1 Corinthians 8:10–13 NKJV

10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Paul affirms Christian freedom but tempers it with responsibility. Liberty should never come at the cost of another’s spiritual well-being.

How to make application.

Ill. Pastor to wife. Honey, we have the Zaguvas or the Castanza’s come over to eat tonight. As you know they are new to the church and the children were just baptized. God is on fire in that family. I want to have them over to eat. Do me a favor. I know its expensive and it doesn’t make full sense, but go to Publix and buy the lamb chops tonight. When its just you and me and the family, go to the Agora and buy the meat, but tonight I want to be respectful of their convictions.

Closing: Personal Illustration-repeating something I quoted that someone else said and did not have to use the exact words.

Ask yourself this question. What actions do I do that I feel are not wrong, but I sense that others are offended or set back when I do it. Remember-what is our motivation? Love.