FRAMEWORKS:
1 Corinthians 8
In
this ‘Framework' we use our usual text PLUS comment style to enable
you, as simply as possible, to catch the sense of his writing.
FRAMEWORKS:
1
Corinthians 8: Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols
v.1-3
Beware being a ‘know-all'
v.4-6
Idols are nothing, not God
v.7-13
But be mindful of the weaker person
[Chapter
Synopsis: Moving
on from teaching about marriage relationships, Paul tackles what
for the church in that era was another tricky subject. In the
pagan culture food might to used as part of idol worship but then
sold for common usage. Some believers felt that such food was
thus tainted by idol worship and should not be eaten, others with
a stronger conscience felt that such worship was pure superstition
and therefore there was nothing wrong with the food that could
therefore be taken, cooked, and eaten. Very much a teaching for
the first century but it does show us the problems they faced
and the overall teaching can apply just as much today to things
some part of the church consider ‘forbidden'.]
v.1-3
Beware being a ‘know-all'
v.1
(on the subject
of food sacrificed to idols we may think we know it all but such
an outlook can exclude love) Now
about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.”
But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
v.2
(if e think
we know it all, we're deceived) Those
who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to
know.
v.3
(it's different
knowing God because He knows us, He does know it all) But
whoever loves God is known by God.
[Passage
Synopsis: Be
careful against thinking you know it all, you might be failing
to love others.]
v.4-6
Idols are nothing, not God
v.4
(the reality
is that an idol is nothing but a piece of shaped wood and not
God) So
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.”
v.5,6
(pagans may
think there are many gods but we know there is only one real God)
For
even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth
(as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet 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.
[Passage
Synopsis: The
truth is that an idol is just a piece of wood; there is only one
God.]
v.7-13
But be mindful of the weaker person
v.7
(but some, coming
from an idol worshipping background find it difficult to grasp
that reality) But
not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so
accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think
of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience
is weak, it is defiled.
v.8
(food doesn't
draw us to God, but it's just good for eating) But
food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not
eat, and no better if we do.
v.9
(but there's
more to it, there is the weaker brother or sister) Be
careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become
a stumbling block to the weak.
v.10
(their conscience
may not be as strong as yours and following you may create worry
or fear in them) For
if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge,
eating in an idol's temple, won't that person be emboldened to
eat what is sacrificed to idols?
v.11
(… and that
could result in bringing them down) So
this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed
by your knowledge.
v.12
(so your casual
attitude towards their wellbeing may be sin and that means sin
against Christ) When
you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience,
you sin against Christ.
v.13
(so if I could
be such a stumbling block, I just won't eat that food) Therefore,
if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I
will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
[Passage
Synopsis: The
matter of food offered to idols affected different people in different
ways [perhaps like drinking alcohol for some today]. Some weren't
bothered by it, some were. Paul maintained it wasn't harmful as
such but if it harmed a weaker brother or sister, love and concern
for them would suggest we comply with their limitations.]