Putting Others First

1 Corinthians 8:1 ESV

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.

Now concerning ...

The question asked of Paul in an earlier letter was - is it ok to eat food offered to idols?

Knowledge puffs up - love builds up.

The Main Thing - being known by God.

Two types of knowledge:

eido - to see, perceive with the eyes and other senses, to discern, to pay attention to something, to ascertain what must be done ...

8:1 - we know

8:4 - we know

gnosis - knowledge, general intelligence, what is known

8:1 - we all possess knowledge

8:1 - but knowledge puffs up

8:7 - not all possess this knowledge

8:10 - you who have knowledge

8:11 - your knowledge

ginosko - perceive, understand, feel, experience - root of gnosis, similar to the Hebrew word for know - and Adam knew Eve

8:2 - those who think they know something

8:2 - he does not know ...

8:2 - as he ought to know

8:3 - … is known by God

Regarding eating food offered to idols -

it begins with the knowledge (gnosis) that an idol has no real existence. There is only one God

There may be “so-called gods in heaven or on earth” for us there is one God, the Father … and one Lord, Jesus Christ … through who are all things and through whom we exist.

This is the starting point for Paul

when it comes to whether we should do something or not - we need to remember - there is only one God and one Lord.

everything exists in and through God the Father and through the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Next - it’s remembering that not everyone has this knowledge (gnosis)

because of their former life - their former association with idols - eating food that is offered to idols is food that is really offered to an idol

when you eat - their knowledge tells them that

Remember - it’s our “rights” that often become a stumbling block for others.

By pushing your rights you can cause someone to stumble - to be hurt.

Hurting Someone Else - is a sin

sin - means to miss the mark

the mark is putting others first

when I hurt someone because of my knowledge - my rights - I miss the mark of the KoG.

thus - I have sinned!!!

I sin against my brother and sister in Christ

thus I sin against Christ.

Conclusion

for Paul - the conclusion is if food makes my brother stumble - I will never eat meat

WOW!!!

how about for me - is there something in my life that may cause a brother or sister in Christ to stumble

Can you make the statement that I will never do it?