1 Corinthians 8:7-13 (WEL) 7 Nevertheless, not everyone [has] that knowledge, and some, with a weak conscience regarding the idol, at this present time eat [food] as being something offered to an idol. Thus, their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not make us more acceptable to God. We are not better off if we eat, nor are we worse off if we don’t eat. 9 But beware lest this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are sensitive. 10 For if anyone sees you, having this knowledge, sitting down to eat in the idol’s temple, won’t the one who is weak have his courage built up to eat those things which are offered to idols? 11 And through your knowledge, the sensitive brother for whom Christ died will be destroyed. 12 When you sin this way against the brethren (other Christians) and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, for fear that I will cause my brother to stumble.
The Greek word for weak in these passages is G772 ἀσθενής asthenḗs, which means (Strong’s) “weak, infirm, feeble.” Vine has “without strength.” Robertson (Robertson’s Word Pictures) has “We do not live alone. This principle applies to all social relations in matters of law, of health, of morals. The enlightened must consider the welfare of the unenlightened, else he does not have love.”
The weak person is the uneducated person. Perhaps, a new believer who has not been taught the basics of the Christian faith. Perhaps, also, they have a sensitive conscience.
V7 Nevertheless, not everyone [has] that knowledge, and some, with a weak conscience regarding the idol, at this present time eat [food] as being something offered to an idol. Thus, their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
We are to build up the faith of other Christians, not harm it. So, the principle is laid down for us. If something we do or say might harm another’s faith, then we don’t do it. Two considerations: 1) if what we do is truth and taught by the Lord Jesus and His Apostles, then we do it regardless of someone else’s opinions, and 2) if something we do is against another’s personal opinion, then we can continue or not. We must be considerate. Jesus told the truth plainly. See Matthew 23:33, Luke 13:32, and Matthew 23:27.
V8 But food does not make us more acceptable to God. We are not better off if we eat, nor are we worse off if we don’t eat.
God has declared all foods to be clean. Compare Peter’s vision Acts 10:10-16, Mark 7:19, Acts 11:19, and Galatians 2:12. Not better off refers to spiritual health.
Of greater importance is our conversations:
(Bible Treasury, William Kelly / Vol 27 – Studies In The Gospel Of Mark, section #40 The True Source of Man’s Defilement, topic: Mouth, Tongue and Lips) states:
“Clearly, it is in agreement with the whole tenor of the word of God, that in the matter of guilty uncleanness, the functions of the mouth in speaking are of greater moral importance than those for eating, for “meat will not commend us to God: neither if we eat [things offered to idols] are we the better: neither, if we eat not are we the worse” (1 Corinthians 8:8), but for “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36).
V9 But beware lest this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are sensitive.
The principle is that if we will harm a fellow believer’s faith, we are in error.
Paul speaks of a sensitive conscience of what is right and wrong according to the Scriptures. The New Testament did not exist. These early believers had the oral teaching of the Apostles.
I believe it is okay to eat bacon. If I meet a Christian who believes eating pork is sinful, then I will not eat pork in his presence or, if I invite them for a meal, serve pork.
If he asks if I eat pork, then I tell him the truth. May God give us wisdom.
V10 For if anyone sees you, having this knowledge, sitting down to eat in the idol’s temple, won’t the one who is weak have his courage built up to eat those things which are offered to idols?
How the person with the sensitive conscience might reason. Thus, we must be aware.
V11 And through your knowledge, the weak brother for whom Christ died will be destroyed.
The idol is nothing. Meat offered to the idol is dedicated to nothing. The danger of this knowledge may hurt another person’s faith. The destruction starts out small as in “Why did he do this? Is it okay? But what about ___?” Then it builds, working on the mind, being tempted, etc., leading to confusion. The confusion leads to bitterness, then anger, then rejection. I’ve had it happen to me. Let us be aware.
The weak, sensitive brother—comment:
David Guzik: “Those who are weak: Why is the brother who will not eat the meat sacrificed to an idol considered weak? Many Christians would consider that one to be the “stronger” Christian. However, Paul is not speaking about being weak or strong in regard to self-control, but in regard to knowledge.”
V12 When you sin this way against the brethren and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Yes, Jesus cares this much. What affects an individual Christian or the whole group also affects Him. Compare Matthew 25:40 and Acts 9:4-5).
(Holman Commentary) “To drive home his perspective, Paul intensified the connection between these actions and Christ. Christ did more than die for these people.
“He united them to himself in such a way that Paul could say, When you sin against your brothers in this way, . . . you sin against Christ. Sinning against believers who are in Christ, who are part of his body, is sinning against Christ himself. Safeguarding the conscience of weaker brothers is no small matter; it is a service of honor to Christ himself.”
V13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, for fear that I will cause my brother to stumble.
Paul’s standard in serving the Lord Jesus, “I do not, I will not, deliberately damage the faith of any believer.”
Hampton writes: “It is a sin against Christ to so lead a weak one to sin. Jesus told his disciples, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Mat 18:6). In describing the judgment, the Lord pictured himself speaking to those who would not enter heaven. The King said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Mat 25:40-45). Paul’s conclusion was that Christians should not take advantage of their liberty because of its effect on others. Exercising their freedom without consideration for their brethren would be placing a snare or trap in the path of a weak brother (1Co 8:12-13).”
We learn:
- How to help those with a sensitive (weak) conscience.
- Some principles about Christian freedom.
Questions:
- Are you growing in the faith?
- How are you helping encourage others’ faith?