1 Corinthians 8:1-13

(1 Corinthians 8:1-13)

 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As 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. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But 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.  Howbeit 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. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.  For 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;  And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?  But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.  Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Chapter 8 is the Apostle Paul's answer to how Christians should treat sacrifices to idols: Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. Here, the Greek word physioo, translated as pride, means “to inflate”. In other words, it means that the choice that God has given only to himself has become his pride, and he has become a state of self-esteem and self-love without leaving any room for others. On the other hand, the Greek word "oikodomeo" translated as "build up virtue" means "build a house, make it strong." In other words, Agape Love means that a house of community is built beautifully.

 

『And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 』The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is a remarkable event in which humans see and know what they have not seen by God's giving Himself out. However, we cannot fully know God by knowledge alone. 『But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 』To love God is to save the dead spirit. .

 

The apostle Paul speaks of the knowledge that frees mankind. 『As 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. 』
The Apostle Paul said that eating an idol's offering is nothing. However, in the Corinthian Church, eating sacrifices offered to idols became an issue. At that time, the ancient idol altar was a slaughterhouse and at the same time served as a butcher shop. People ate most of the meat through meat sacrificed to idols. First, the meat was distributed to the priests and worshipers to idols, and the rest was sold to the general market. This practice was common in Corinth at the time, but since the Jews living in Corinth had to live according to the food law, they did not purchase meat offered at idol altars, but purchased meat through their own market. The problem that arose in this situation was “How and where should Christians buy meat?”

 

The answer to this, the Apostle Paul said, “I know that there is only one God.” It is knowledge to know that there is only one God. Specifically, Paul described the knowledge as “But 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. 』. The apostle Paul explained: the knowledge that there is only one God the Creator, and the one Savior Jesus Christ, that God created all creation, and all creatures stained with sin have been renewed with Jesus Christ alone, so that all the fish offered to idols are one. He explained to the members of the Corinthian church that he could be free because of this knowledge that he belongs to God the Creator and the one Savior Jesus Christ.

 

However, the Apostle Paul recommends that you be careful with knowledge that will set you free. 『Howbeit 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. 』
The Apostle Paul said that all creatures belonged to God the Creator and Jesus Christ the Savior, so they are free to eat meat, but to recognize that some people do not know this knowledge. The apostle Paul warned that because of their weak conscience they should not stumble upon Christians who know knowledge and eat freely.

 

The Apostle Paul said that knowledge is a truth that God has come to realize through God's self-recognition, but if you hold on to this knowledge and do not care for people and do not love it, then brothers and sisters who do not know this knowledge because of this knowledge will sin in their hearts and conscience. He answered clearly to the problems of the Corinthian church caused by the sacrifices made to idols, with the logic that it would be a pride to sin against Christ.

 

The Apostle Paul said, 『All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 』
It is the fact that knowledge without love is violence. The gift I have received, the Gospel, is a privilege for Christians, but the consciousness of privilege without love is not so different from the Pharisees. 『And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. In other words, through knowledge without love, we may be engaged in negating Christ's sacrifice.