Exploring Corinthians #13

For Goodness Sake

1 corinthians 8:1-13

1 Corinthians 8:1–13 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. 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. 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? 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.

Verse 1

Paul continues answering questions asked by the Corinthians in their letter written to him.

The first question he answered was regarding Marriage and Sexual Conduct

The second question is about eating meats offered to idols

We all have knowledge. Meaning that all people had understanding about their own convictions and liberties.

Knowledge Puffs up as in swells like a balloon. In other words knowledge swells our pride

Love Edifies which means to grow as in building a building. or getting larger or better.

Verse 2

If we think we have it all figured out and have all the questions then we are clueless.

We never need to think of our understanding as superior to others unless their understanding contradicts the fundamental doctrinal components of the Christian faith.

Verse 3

If anyone loves God this one is known by Him means that if we Love God, He will have an intimate relationship with us.

What you know isn’t as important as Who Knows you.

What you know about God isn’t as important as having a relationship with God.

Verse 4

PARENTAL CONSENT / RELEASE FORM

Concerning Things offered to idols

It was common to have meat offered to idols sold in the butcher shops found in Corinth

The temple

Idols are fake therefor they have no bearing on our daily decisions.

Verse 5 and 6 go together

Even if there are so-called gods yet we only have one God

Who is our Father

Verse 6

Who made all things for us

Who made us for Himself

We have one Jesus

Who established all things

By Jesus we live today

Verse 7

Not everyone has the same knowledge

I believe we are all on different levels of faith

There are those who feel guilty when eating, or let me expand this thought here for a moment…drinking, or even doing certain things that have been associated with corruption.

Paul calls those who defiled easily as being weak.

Food doesn’t make us more Godly nor does it make us more un-Godly

Verse 8

Food doesn’t make us more Godly nor does it make us more un-Godly

Verse 9

However we should never allow our liberty to be a stumbling block for those who are weaker than us.

Verse 10

We should never encourage others to release their convictions because there may be a reason why they don’t have the same liberties that we have.

Verse 11

Verse 12

Verse 13

1 Corinthians 10:14–31 NKJV

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. 18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? 23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10: