Episode 190 "Forgo your rights for the benefit of other believers" - 1 Corinthians 8:4-13

1Cor. 8:4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

1Cor. 8:7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

At the beginning of chapter 8, Paul moved to the new topic of “food offered to idols.” It would appear that this was a matter of concern or debate among some of the believers at Corinth. Paul then seemed to divert to a topic of knowledge. However, I suggested that he was likely confronting the source of the debate over this issue of food sacrificed to idols, and that would be people claiming to have superior knowledge and trying to force others to submit to their instruction on the matter. His correction sets the tone for his counsel on the question about this food. He argues that love is more important than knowledge.

In verses 4-6, Paul says matter of factly that idols are nothing; they have no real existence. “There is no God but one,” he says in verse 4. He concedes in verse 5 that people believe in and worship many so-called gods. But from a Christian perspective, “there is one God, the Father, . . . .and one Lord, Jesus Christ.” (v. 6) Don’t miss the fact that while Paul strongly asserts there is one God, he speaks of both God the Father AND Jesus Christ and it’s through both of them that all things exist. This is Scripture that lends support to the doctrine of the Trinity.

So, the implication of this is that food offered to idols is not really an issue because there are no real gods behind the idols. To use a modern expression, “No harm, no foul.” But wait a minute. Paul’s not finished. Paul explains in verses 7-13 that the issue is not the food. The real issue is looking out for your brother/sister in Christ. He points out that some of them have come from a background of worshipping and believing in other gods, and he says in verse 7 that their conscience may be “weak.” (v. 7)

What’s the point? The point is that a person with a background of idol worship who comes to faith in Christ may be spiritually harmed if other Christians are eating with them, knowing the food was sacrificed to idols. For one person, it’s not a big deal. But it may have a detrimental impact on the person who is new in the faith and has come to reject the idols they once worshipped.

The key lesson is in verse 9, “But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” Paul is saying to forgo your “right” or liberty to eat the food if this creates a problem for your weaker brother. Paul adds that this is not a suggestion. He argues in verses 11-12 that it is a sin against Christ to act with such disregard for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and act in ways that may spiritually harm them because Christ died for them.

I understand that we might think this doesn’t apply to us because we’re not purchasing food at the market that has been sacrificed to idols. But, that’s not the point. The point is how we act around other believers and to be sensitive to their spiritual edification. We may need to avoid certain activities that are not sinful in and of themselves. But if it could negatively impact their faith, we need to abstain for the good of that person or people.

Love is superior to knowledge! In love, let us build up our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Episode 150 - "Bridle Your Tongue and Defend the Oppressed" James 1:26-27

James 1:26   If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

In our previous study, James argued that one who hears the word but does nothing about it deceives himself. Here in verse 26, James asserts that a person who “thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue . . .deceives his heart.” Don’t miss the imagery in this teaching. James gives us a picture of a means to control a large, powerful animal such as a horse. Without a bridle, a rider of that horse has little power to steer or stop the animal as needed. But, a small bridle on that animal, manipulated by the rider, has a tremendous effect on making the animal do what the rider wants. James is likening our tongue to an animal that needs to be controlled. It has power and will do what it wants if not subjected to control. Therefore, James says that our tongues need to be bridled. If we don’t do that and let it run wild, we are self-deceived in thinking that we are religious or worshipful people. 

James adds that this kind of religion is “worthless.” Literally, it means “empty” or “vain.” There are multiple instances in the Old Testament making it very clear that God despises such worship. Listen to what the Lord says through the prophet Isaiah.

11 “Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?” 

says the LORD. 

“I have had my fill of burnt sacrifices, 

of rams and the fat from steers. 

The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats 

I do not want.

12 When you enter my presence, 

do you actually think I want this— 

animals trampling on my courtyards?

13 Do not bring any more meaningless offerings; 

I consider your incense detestable! 

You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations, 

but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations!

14 I hate your new moon festivals and assemblies; 

they are a burden 

that I am tired of carrying.

15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, 

I look the other way; 

when you offer your many prayers, 

I do not listen, 

because your hands are covered with blood.

16 Wash! Cleanse yourselves! 

Remove your sinful deeds 

from my sight. 

Stop sinning.

17 Learn to do what is right. 

Promote justice. 

Give the oppressed reason to celebrate. 

Take up the cause of the orphan. 

Defend the rights of the widow. (NET Bible)

God is using Isaiah to indict the people for their false piety. They practiced certain religious activities but cared nothing about justice to those in need. 

James appears to be appealing to this very text in Isaiah when he explains that “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father” is to “visit the orphans and widows in their affliction.” (v. 27) The idea here is not simply to visit in the sense of stopping by to say ‘hi,’ but to have compassion upon their needs and seek to meet those needs as able. Isaiah makes it clear that God wants the Israelites to “take up the cause of the orphan” and “defend the rights of the widow.” (Isa. 1:17) In other words, this is an investment of ourselves and our time to serve others and share the blessings we have received from God with others who need them.

Finally, James adds that pure religion or worship is also characterized by keeping oneself “unstained from the world.” (v. 27) In this context, a suggestion of what this looks like is to make sure your actions toward the orphans and the widows are not an opportunity to take advantage of them. More broadly, if our actions are stained by the world, then no one can tell the difference between our lives and the world. That would not fit in with God’s plan of making us complete. 

Prayer: Lord, help me be moved to seek justice for those in need. Help me consider my words before they are said so that they are guided in a safe and healthy direction. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions to be consistent with your character and not that of the world.