Chapter summary (Pett): “Paul now deals with a question central to the heart of every converted Gentile. In Corinth as in other Gentile cities idolatry entered into every part of life. It affected every aspect of life. The question then was how were Christians to approach the problem?
“The main example dealt with in this chapter is the eating of meat offered in sacrifice to a god, within a temple or sanctuary. Such sacrificial meals took place regularly, often by special invitation from associates, involving sacrifices to the gods, in which of course no Christian could directly partake, followed by the separating of the meat so that some was offered to the god, some was eaten by the people, and some was placed on the sacred table, made available to priests and possibly also to the people. One main question was, should Christians publicly partake of such meat within the Temple precincts, or even at all? One important lesson that stems from the discussion is that of doing or not doing things which, while possibly not wrong in themselves, cause others to stumble spiritually.”
1 Corinthians 8:1-6 (WEL) Now concerning things offered to idols. We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes one proud, but love edifies. 2 If anyone thinks that he knows something, he really knows nothing, as he really should know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by him. 4 Therefore, concerning the eating of those things offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in this world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 Even though there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and lords), 6 To us there is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we in him and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom is everything, and we [live] through him.
V1 Now concerning things offered to idols. We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes one proud, but love edifies.
All refers to Christian believers. All believers know that idols are not a god. Knowing this though may make us proud. We become proud, because there is no law forbidding buying meat in the meat market (1 Corinthians 10:25). Love, however, is more important. We have freedom but not freedom to sin (Romans 6:1-2).
This is a principle. Love is more important than knowledge when it comes to activities of our Christian life. Our love for the brethren should make us cautious about hurting or damaging another’s faith.
Warren W. Wiersbe: “There were two sources of meat in the ancient world: the regular market (where the prices were higher) and the local temples (where meat from the sacrifices was always available). The strong members of the church realized that idols could not contaminate food, so they saved money by purchasing the cheaper meat available from the temples. Furthermore, if unconverted friends invited them to a feast at which sacrificial meat was served, the strong Christians attended it whether at the temple or in the home.
“All of this offended the weaker Christians. Many of them had been saved out of pagan idolatry, and they could not understand why their fellow believers would want to have anything to do with meat sacrificed to idols. (In Rom. 14-15, the weak Christians had problems over diets and holy days, but it was the same basic issue.) There was a potential division in the church, so the leaders asked Paul for counsel.”
V2 If anyone thinks that he knows something, he really knows nothing, as he really should know.
We may know a principle or Christian rule, but not the wisdom of how to apply it to every situation and its effect on other believers.
The NLT understands this to mean: 1 Corinthians 8:2 (NLT) Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.
V3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by him.
If we love God, we obey God (John 14:15). He knows us and has given us to His Son. These are the ones who humbled themselves, repented, asked forgiveness, and trust in Jesus alone for salvation. See John 6:39-40 (given means those who have trusted by faith for salvation and that Jesus Christ is God the Son, Messiah, and the Savior of the world. Once one believes (the condition for eternal life), the Father gives them to the Son (He is Lord of the church).
We know God, thus, He knows (recognizes) us. See Galatians 4:9.
Note the contrast:
Nonbelievers: Matthew 7:23 (EHV) Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
Believers: 2 Timothy 2:19 (EHV) Nevertheless, God’s foundation stands firm, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord keep away from wickedness.”
Known means God recognizes them as His, just as a shepherd knows His sheep from someone else’s sheep. See John 10:14.
V4 Therefore, concerning the eating of those things offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in this world, and that there is no other God but one.
Idols are statues of stone, ceramic, wood, or other materials. Those things are not a god. Behind each idol may be a demon masquerading as a god.
Barclay (beware) commenting on 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 states: “There were idolaters. The greatest building in Corinth was the Temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, where idolatry and immorality flourished side by side. Idolatry is a grim example of what happens when we try to make religion easier. An idol did not begin by being a god; it began by being a symbol of a god; its function was to make the worship of the god easier by providing some object in which his presence was localized. But very soon men began to worship not the god behind the idol but the idol itself. It is one of the chronic dangers of life that men will come to worship the symbol rather than the reality behind it.”
V5 Even though there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and lords),
Many people claim to be god. There is the pantheon, also. People worship all kinds of things, especially themselves.
V6 To us there is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we in Him and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom is everything, and we [live] through Him.
We have been convicted by the Holy Spirit and taught by Him that there is only one God. He does not share His essence with anything or anyone.
God is the creator of all.
Believers have been adopted by God the Father.
Believers are in the body of Jesus (the church). See 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
We learn:
- Idols are nothing.
- Knowledge without wisdom is of little good.
- There is only one God.
Questions:
- Are there any idols in your life?
- Would you eat meat dedicated to an idol?