Overview
Knowledge vs. Love (verses 1-3): Paul begins by contrasting knowledge and love. While knowledge puffs up, love builds up. He emphasizes the importance of using knowledge wisely, bearing in mind that it's love that truly edifies.
Idols and Conscience (verses 4-6): Paul acknowledges that an idol has no real existence, and there is only one God. However, not everyone possesses this knowledge, leading some to eat food offered to idols and defile their conscience.
Stumbling Blocks (verses 7-13): The chapter concludes with Paul's warning against causing a weaker brother to stumble. If eating food offered to idols causes a brother to stumble, Paul says he'd never eat meat again to avoid causing harm.
1 Corinthians 8 underlines the priority of love over liberty. The freedom we have in Christ should not become a stumbling block for a fellow believer whose conscience is weaker. It's a sobering reminder that our actions influence others and should therefore reflect Christ-like love.
Idols and Conscience (verses 4-6): Paul acknowledges that an idol has no real existence, and there is only one God. However, not everyone possesses this knowledge, leading some to eat food offered to idols and defile their conscience.
Stumbling Blocks (verses 7-13): The chapter concludes with Paul's warning against causing a weaker brother to stumble. If eating food offered to idols causes a brother to stumble, Paul says he'd never eat meat again to avoid causing harm.
1 Corinthians 8 underlines the priority of love over liberty. The freedom we have in Christ should not become a stumbling block for a fellow believer whose conscience is weaker. It's a sobering reminder that our actions influence others and should therefore reflect Christ-like love.
1 Corinthians 8
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 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.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is 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.
8 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.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 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;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
End of 1 Corinthians 8
1 Year Plan: Jul 17 - Neh 8, Neh 9, 1 Co 8 [next day]
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 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.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is 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.
8 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.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 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;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
End of 1 Corinthians 8
1 Year Plan: Jul 17 - Neh 8, Neh 9, 1 Co 8 [next day]
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