1 Corinthians — Chapter 8

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1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

3But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.

2If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;

3but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.

4Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is [anything] in the world, and that there is no God but one.

5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;

6yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

7Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as [of] a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.

9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.

10For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol`s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

11For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

12And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.

13Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.

1With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

2If someone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know to the degree that he needs to know.

3But if someone loves God, he is known by God.

4With regard then to eating food sacrificed to idols, we know that “an idol in this world is nothing,” and that “there is no God but one.”

5If after all there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),

6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we live, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we live.

7But this knowledge is not shared by all. And some, by being accustomed to idols in former times, eat this food as an idol sacrifice, and their conscience, because it is weak, is defiled.

8Now food will not bring us close to God. We are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do.

9But be careful that this liberty of yours does not become a hindrance to the weak.

10For if someone weak sees you who possess knowledge dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience be “strengthened” to eat food offered to idols?

11So by your knowledge the weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed.

12If you sin against your brothers or sisters in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

13For this reason, if food causes my brother or sister to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I may not cause one of them to sin.

1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

2But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn’t yet know as he ought to know.

3But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him.

4Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

5For though there are things that are called “gods”, whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many “gods” and many “lords”;

6yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.

7However, that knowledge isn’t in all men. But some, with consciousness of the idol until now, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

8But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don’t eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.

9But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.

10For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol’s temple, won’t his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

11And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

12Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

13Therefore if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forever more, that I don’t cause my brother to stumble.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Paul addresses food offered to idols: knowledge puffs up but love builds up — though idols are nothing, the strong must not use their freedom in a way that causes a weaker brother to stumble, for "when you sin against the brothers, you sin against Christ."

Authorship & Background

Author: Paul (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 8 addresses food offered to idols — a major issue in Corinth where most meat sold in the market had been sacrificed in pagan temples. Some believers (the "strong") knew idols were nothing and ate freely. Others (the "weak") felt defiled by eating such meat. Paul's principle: knowledge without love destroys; love limits liberty for others' sake.
The Issue: In Corinth, pagan temples functioned as restaurants and social clubs. Meat sacrificed to idols was sold in the marketplace. Could Christians eat it? Could they attend meals in temple dining rooms? The "knowledgeable" said yes — idols are nothing. Paul agrees theologically but adds a crucial qualifier: love.
Knowledge vs. Love (vv.1-3): "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth" (v.1). The Corinthians prided themselves on their theological knowledge. Paul says knowledge without love inflates; love without knowledge still builds up. If you think you know something, you don't yet know as you ought (v.2).
The Weaker Brother (vv.7-13): Some believers' consciences were still sensitive about idol-meat. If a "strong" believer eats in an idol's temple and a "weak" believer sees it, the weak one might be "emboldened" to eat against their conscience (v.10) — and be destroyed (v.11). Paul's conclusion: "If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth" (v.13).

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines knowledge vs. love, the idol-meat issue, the weaker brother principle, and Paul's radical self-limitation.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Knowledge and Love" on v.1 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 650) "Knowledge puffeth up — it inflates. Love edifieth — it builds up. You can be theologically correct and relationally destructive. You can be right in your head and wrong in your heart. Knowledge without love is a weapon; love without knowledge is still a gift." Sermon: "My Brother's Keeper" on v.13 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1383) "If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth. That is love — radical, self-limiting, other-centered love. Not 'I have the right' but 'I have the responsibility.' My freedom is real — but my brother's soul is more important than my steak."

Videos

The Bible Project — 1 Corinthians Overview

Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)

Reflection

  • 1. "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth" (v.1). Are you using your knowledge to build people up or to prove you're right? Is your theology producing love or arrogance?
  • 2. "Take heed lest... this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock" (v.9). Your freedom is real — but it has limits. Is there a freedom you exercise that might be causing someone else to stumble? Love limits liberty.
  • 3. "Through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?" (v.11). Christ died for that weaker brother. Will you give up a freedom for someone Christ gave His life for? How much is your brother's soul worth to you?
  • 4. "If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth" (v.13). Paul's commitment: permanent self-limitation for love's sake. What are you willing to permanently give up for the sake of a brother's conscience?
  • 5. The Corinthians were proud of their knowledge (v.1). Paul says "if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know" (v.2). How does this challenge intellectual pride in your own life?
  • 6. Paul affirms that idols are "nothing" (v.4) — the strong are theologically correct. But being right doesn't give you the right to destroy a brother. Where might you be "right" but unloving?
  • 7. "When ye sin so against the brethren... ye sin against Christ" (v.12). Wounding a brother's conscience is sinning against Christ Himself. How seriously do you take the impact of your behavior on other believers?
  • 8. Paul's principle: love limits liberty. In what specific area of your life might you need to limit your freedom for the sake of someone else's spiritual health?
  • 9. "To us there is but one God... and one Lord Jesus Christ" (v.6). In a world of many "gods" and "lords," Christians affirm one God and one Lord. How does this exclusive commitment shape your daily life in a pluralistic culture?