1 Corinthians 8
Food Sacrificed to Idols
1Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge.[a] Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3But the man who loves God is known by God.
4So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. 5For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
7But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
9Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
Footnotes:
[a] 1 Corinthians 8:1 Or "We all possess knowledge," as you say
4 comments:
Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up.
12When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
Such a delicate balance we have in our walks. But to whom much is given, much is expected... It clearly is so important to remember that while God has given us our freedom from sin by Christ, the ability to do things doesn't make it a right or a necessity. Our main goal as brothers still is to keep each other up, help younger brothers mature, and to spread the Gospel through words or by actions. If that means not eating meat, not imbibing, or avoiding situations to help our friends and brothers with their weaknesses (or our own weaknesses) than it is part of our job as brothers to aid them first and satisfy your own wants later.
Father, help me today to be close with you in prayer and in spirit, help me not to walk too far on my own. Guide my family in the important decisions of the day, and keep close to you the members of our growing circle. Thank you for these men, the wisdom you have given them and for this day which you have given us the opportunity to glorify you,
Amen
In Christ,
crb
Pretty much have to agree with Chris. For me the major take home message is how much Paul was willing to give for others. I pray that I can develop a heart like Paul. As Eric mention as well (ina previous note), I too am quick to seek justice especially when it comes to matters regarding my family. Love should defintely prevail.
Finally, and maybe the most intriguing is the room Paul gives here for diferent beliefs based on someones moral convivtions and how we should not cause them to stumble and sin. Pretty interesting wouldn't you say?
In Christ,
cas
In an information age saturated by the 24-hour news cycle, factoids, and hyper-speed internet connectivity, it is a great reminder by Paul that "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." We can know that something is no big deal for us and yet in disregarding our brother's walk/stumbling we disregard love.
It is so amazing how Paul is building the whole book on the centrality of love...God's love. I think I have lost sight of one of the chief ways I can love others--to limit my own freedoms to encourage others' spiritual growth and maturity.
The sins of offense and stumbling Paul points out remind me of his original revelation from Christ on the road to Damascus. He was going to persecute the Christians (not Christ), yet Christ asked him "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME." That simple revelation set in motion a revolution in the heart and mind of Saul/Paul. Notice in vs. 12 Paul's chosen phrasing in describing the sins within this chapter:
12When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
That is some serious statement about our disregard for other believers' growth.
Father, thank you again for calling us to sacrifice for others. Not just economically, but in the arena of freedoms. Help us to love you as we build up other men. Grant us your wisdom and discernment. Show us where we are the stumbling block for our brothers and we will forsake it.
In Christ's Name,
Amen.
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