Articles and Notes
1 Corinthians 8
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To see the relationship between knowledge and love
2) To understand how we might misuse the liberty we have in Christ
3) To realize the responsibility we have to our brethren who may be weak or lacking in knowledge
SUMMARY
In this chapter and the two to follow, Paul addresses the matter of Christians eating things that had been sacrificed to idols. Though in the tenth chapter he will conclude with specific warnings concerning this issue (10:18-33), he begins by arguing on the basis of the supremacy of love over knowledge (1-3). While concurring that some might have correct knowledge about God and idols, he points out that all might not, and it would be very easy by an abuse of "liberty" to cause those with weak consciences to stumble (4-10). Such would be a serious offense, even against Christ, prompting Paul to say how far he would go to avoid causing a brother to stumble (11-13).
OUTLINE
I. KNOWLEDGE, LOVE, AND EATING THINGS OFFERED TO IDOLS (1-6)
A. THE SUPREMACY OF LOVE OVER KNOWLEDGE (1-3)
1. Knowledge puffs up, while love edifies (1)
2. Knowledge can lead one to think he knows more than he really does (2)
3. While he who loves God is known by Him (3)
B. KNOWLEDGE IN RELATION TO THINGS OFFERED TO IDOLS (4-6)
1. Knowledge concurs that an idol is nothing, and that there is only one God and one Lord (4-6a)
2. For Christians that means the Father, and Jesus Christ (6b)
II. APPLYING LOVE TOWARD THOSE WHOSE CONSCIENCES ARE WEAK (8-13)
A. NOT ALL HAVE CORRECT KNOWLEDGE, OR STRONG CONSCIENCES (7)
1. Some eat things that were offered to idols with consciousness of the idol (7a)
2. In so doing, they defile their weak consciences (7b)
B. DO NOT LET THAT WHICH IS INCONSEQUENTIAL BECOME A STUMBLING BLOCK (8-9)
1. Food or the lack of it does not effect our relationship with God (8)
2. But if we are not careful, our liberty concerning food can become a stumbling block to others (9)
C. ABUSE OF KNOWLEDGE AND LIBERTY CAN LEAD TO SIN AGAINST CHRIST! (10-12)
1. Through improper exercise of knowledge and liberty, our example might encourage others to violate their weak conscience (10)
2. Through improper exercise of knowledge and liberty, we may cause others to perish, which is a sin against Christ! (11-12)
D. PAUL'S OWN APPLICATION (13)
1. If food makes his brother to stumble, he will never again eat meat (13a)
2. Lest he make his brother stumble (13b)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) List the main points of this chapter
- Knowledge, Love, And Eating Things Offered To Idols (1-7)
- Applying Love Toward Those Whose Consciences Are Weak (8-13)
2) What is the danger of knowledge? (1)
- It can lead to being "puffed up" or arrogant
3) What is the power of love? (1)
- It can build another person up
4) What attribute is important in regards to knowledge? (2)
- Humility
5) How can one abuse their liberty in Christ? (9-11)
- By allowing their example to encourage others whose consciences are weak to do that which would violate their consciences (even in matters that are lawful in of themselves)
6) What happens if we sin against our brothers? (12)
- We sin against Christ!
7) How far should we be willing to go out of consideration for our brethren who are weak in faith? (13)
- Even if it means to restrict what liberty we might have in Christ!
1 Corinthians 8
Be sensitive to conscience
[1Co 8:1-13 NKJV] 1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for 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 through whom we [live]. 7 However, [there is] not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat [it] as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. 9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.