one another — Faves of Dave - Bible Study

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.