1 Corinthians 8
-Paul answers a question now in chapter 8 concerning food
offered to idols and the right to eat it. The overriding concept here is that
strong believers with a healthy view of who they are in Christ apart from the
Law need to consider their weaker brothers and sisters so as to not be a
stumbling block causing them to sin in their conscience.
-Paul purports the fact that all of them posses knowledge.
This knowledge if one is not careful will puff up rather than do the work of
love in building up (1 Corinthians 8:1). This important and constant theme in
this letter is reiterated to stress the fruit of humility and love so that the
blessings of the Lord can flow and people can be known by God (1 Corinthians
8:3). *Application* To be known by the Lord is paramount to our eternal state
(Matthew 7:20-24). Paul says here that our love of God is an important factor
in being known by God, which is the same response Jesus gave when asked what
the greatest commandment was (Matthew 22:36-38, Mark 12:28-30, Luke 10:25-28).
This is also the great commandment in the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-8). It’s
really simple when we break it down. Love God (which means you will follow and
obey all He commands out of gratitude and devotion) and He will make Himself
known to you in a relationship that will abide forever. This is the connection
with our Maker we so desire and crave! Beautiful endings!
-Paul goes on to make the point that there are actually no
such things as idols (1 Corinthians 8:4). They are mirages that placate and
temporarily appease the weak in faith. The true spiritual believers know that
there is only “One God, the Father, from which are all things and for whom we
exist, and One Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom
we exist (1 Corinthians 8:6).” Because of this, the strong in faith need not
worry about what they eat in regard to meat offered to idols at the essential
level. Meat tainted by idols in the pagan culture’s practices had really no
affect on them as to power or Law. The situation in Corinth, and many
Hellenistic cities like this, was to offer meat to the public at a reduced rate
after it had gone through the process of being offered to the mythological gods
in their pagan rituals. The Corinthian church was wondering if it was kosher to
purchase and eat such meat as believers in Christ Jesus. Paul is basically
telling them that it is ok as long as you don’t become a stumbling block to
your brother or sister. If you do offend them by partaking of this meat, being
aware of their position in weakness, you sin against God and them by wounding
their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:12). Paul says if food makes my brother
stumble, I will never eat it because his love for his brother pertaining to his
well-being in conscience is so much more important (1 Corinthians 8:13). The
key point is in verse 9, “But take care that this right of yours does not somehow
become a stumbling block to the weak.” *Application* This is an important principle
for us to consider in our current climate in society. We may not have much meat
offered to idols (although it is becoming more apparent in some Asian places of
commerce), but we can offend weaker brothers and sisters with environments that
are temptations to sin. For example, if I know a brother has a problem being tempted
by alcohol, the worst possible place for me to take him would probably be a pro
sporting event (say a baseball game). While there is nothing wrong in my conscience
to going and enjoying a good ball game since I don’t drink and have no desire for
it, I must consider my weaker brother and putting him in a position to be enticed
to sin by drinking too much. The same could be said for some movies and such. We
must consider the impact we are making on those who are around us. Never become
a stumbling block to your brother or sister. While we have rights, we must live
by the law of love in all cases.
Verse to Memorize- 1
Corinthians 8:9
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