All indication is that the Corinthians were pushing back on something Paul said earlier. Had he told them they could not eat meat sacrificed to idols? Had he simply asked them not to eat it at the temple restaurants? We don't know for sure, but we get hints in this chapter that seem to indicate he gave them some restriction that upset their world. Perhaps Paul simply acting consistent with the previous guidelines requested by the church of Jerusalem.
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. [The New King James Version (Ac 15:28–29). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
For the Corinthians the issue of whether to eat meat sacrificed to idols is another of those questions about how to live in this world with our eyes on the next. How do we fix our eyes on Jesus and still live and buy and sell in a fallen world? We all struggle with that. Can we spend our money on products made by godless companies? Can we vote for candidates that oppose moral issues that violate God's word? How close can we be to those that worship other gods? All these, and more, are questions of conscience we must deal with as Christians.
If you remember, the beginning of this letter was all about how worldliness and worldly wisdom had made its way into their church. As Paul's correction continues, he deals with a more specific issue of conscience. Remember, Paul is responding to questions from some of the leaders and saints of Corinth who were trying to get their house in order. They needed guidance from the Apostle Paul. They were specifically concerned about this issue of meat sacrificed to idols.
1 Corinthians 8:1
The 'things' offered to idols was primarily a reference toward meat. However, it could mean many other things and the principles would follow. In a place like Corinth, many gods were worshiped in a variety of ways and for a variety of reasons. There were all kinds of offerings made to the gods. Sometimes the sacrifice depended on what you were seeking from these supposed gods. The sticker price might be a chicken or silver and gold.
The false god Asklepios was the Greek god of health and healing. When people were sick they went to the temple and they created a clay image of the body part that was ailing them. If a person had an earache they'd mold an ear out of clay. When they entered the temple, they would put their clay body part at the altar along with everyone else's clay body parts. With that done, you would make your request to Asclepius and then give him an offering. This could be animal sacrifice, jewelry, flowers, fresh baked goods, fruit, vegetables or anything. Then you had to stay the night in the temple praying to this false god and wait to see if he would miraculously heal you. To honor Asclepius, snakes were sometimes used in healing rituals. Non-venomous snakes were allowed to crawl freely around the floors where the sick and injured people slept. In the morning you had to consult with the priest. He would help you determine whether you had been healed or if your healing was revealed to you in a dream.
This false god Asclepius was depicted in statues as an older bearded man. And he always had his staff with the two serpents wrapped around it. If you look at the emblem on the American Medical Association you will see it is a staff with two intertwined snakes. You'll see this same emblem on many ambulances and many health and medical related emblems. The history of the medical profession is tied very closely to this idol. Every doctor takes the Hippocratic Oath. This oath has been rewritten since the original hippocratic oath, thought to be written by Hippocrates. The oath began this way: "I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement"
Knowing this, do we as Christians view our doctor differently? Do we refuse an ambulance that has the symbol of snakes wrapped around a staff? This may seem like an extreme example but some may be offended by these things. I know my doctor took the Hippocratic Oath but he also happens to be a very Godly man who is very active in ministry, serving the Lord.
While all this activity was going on in the temple, the chicken you brought for an offering was slaughtered to honor this god. It was then carried next door and hung up in the meat market. For Sale: Fresh Chicken! In addition, there were often dinner parties held at these temples. It was like a banquet hall. In Corinth, at the temple of Asclepius they discovered a dining area. They believe the priests may have operated a restaurant right there at the temple. They were serving meat offered to idols.
Knowledge (gnosis)
'The knowledge that Paul is talking about here is the human knowledge of God. Some believers had come to the knowledge that there was one true God. From that knowledge they came to the understanding that idols are worthless and have no power over them. Killing an animal in front of a worthless idol could do nothing to contaminate the meat. There was no power in these false gods other than the power granted them by the people who bowed before them. Simply put, an idol is nothing unless we make it something. There is but one God, He is Lord!
Other believers had knowledge also. They knew that some people shopped for meat at the temple. Some people call themselves Christian and they eat meat offered to idols. Why would anyone do that? How can you expect to be holy and sanctified before God and filled with the Holy Spirit when you feed your body and strengthen it with meat that has been defiled? This was the knowledge of the other camp.
One group knew they were right because they understood the severity of the offense. The other group understood the sovereignty of God and saw no threat whatsoever from the food. Paul said that knowledge puffs up and love edifies. Knowledge can be cold and calculating when it isn't applied without love. We are supposed to be driven by love. The NLT might bring some clarity to the passage:
Yes, we know that "we all have knowledge" about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. 2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much. 3 But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. [Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Co 8:1–3). Tyndale House Publishers.]
Knowledge puffs up but love edifies. Knowledge can swell you up with pride in your own opinion or the knowledge you think you have. A know-it-all attitude is evidence of ignorance. It can make you think your knowledge is superior to all other knowledge. This can cause a division. But love edifies; it says, I have this knowledge, but instead of putting down others who don't agree, I will help them to grow and be edified by the knowledge I have. I will be patient and gentle with them and allow them to grow in the Lord. I'll hear and consider their concerns; maybe I'll learn something! I think Warren Wiersbe summed this up well when he said,
"'Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy."
For the Corinthians, their knowledge had given them the right to act as they saw fit. Their highest good was their liberty, allowing them, as individuals, to act freely. However, the answer to this problem of meat sacrificed to idols wasn't to be found in knowledge alone, particularly the limited knowledge of an individual. Their was a higher good they were missing. We tend to think the knowledge we possess is all that is needed and somehow complete. We often go to great lengths to preserve our knowledge and prove it to be right. We are swelled with pride coming from our false confidence and assurance derived from a little knowledge.
- Knowledge Puffs up – falsely inflating – giving an appearance of being larger with nothing to back it up.
- Love builds up – Like brick and mortar, one piece at a time on a solid foundation.
There's nothing wrong with ignorance, it's staying that way that is a problem. There's nothing wrong with knowledge, unless you think you know all that needs known. Its prideful arrogance derived from knowledge that becomes the problem. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
There is great wisdom in recognizing how little we know; humility is wise (it's not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less).
A few years ago, we were set to fly into Santa Barbara, on our way to Ventura. I had studied the maps before we left; the coastline, mountains, highways and cities. I thought I had a pretty good lay of the land, able to find my way around. I was sure as we flew in, I could tell what we were flying over. Yet, as we flew in, everything looked different. The ocean was vast, the mountains disappeared among the terrain and the array of colors kept you from distinguishing detail. I knew this area, but I didn't know it from that perspective. I was confident in my knowledge but learned my confidence was baseless and knowledge limited. Every time we flew in or out over the last few years, it looked different and I noticed new things. I wonder if there is more I need to learn? The only real important knowledge seems to be that I don't know everything I think I know. Suddenly, I have become teachable.
The answer to this problem will come by way of love and genuineness; a kind which Paul taught and honored. Knowledge of the reality that all these idols were nothing was legitimate. But knowing the real God was the most important knowledge – and then being known by Him!
There is a human knowledge of God, our knowledge is part of being created in His image. What we do with that knowledge is influenced by the sin nature. We can read the bible every day diligently and learn all about God and then we can say. "I know Him." When we begin to love God, we come to realize we are known by Him. Instead of us trying to understand God with our puny mind we instead love Him and become known by the One who knows it all. It's like studying a map, then flying over the California coast and then driving or walking around. We get three different perspectives, but only one is personal. Understanding how little we really know is powerful, especially in light of knowing the One who created it all. I don't have to have knowledge of all because I know The One who knows it all; or more rightly stated, I am known by the One who knows it all. We can't be caught relying on a knowledge that puffs up. Instead, we must find the balance of knowledge and love, remain teachable and God will you teach us when we are ready to learn.
Knowing Him brings several things to this Corinthian quandary:
- Knowing Him automatically means we understand how small and flawed we are.
- Knowing Him means we know the one who knows it all.
- Knowing Him means we know the humility and have no root of pride.
- Knowing Him means we don't bring harm to our brother by our knowledge.
- Knowledge of God builds, mends, heals.
- Knowledge looks like one man standing alone, proud and right in his stance; having put down any opposing thought.
- Love looks like two standing strong together, each concerned for the other; both with their eyes on the Lord, both built up.
Paul's teaching here is consistent with that which he taught earlier:
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; 20 and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." 21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
[The New King James Version (1 Co 3:18–23). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
1 Corinthians 8:4
Verse 4 might be a quote from the Corinthians, stating their strong position. They are correct and Paul won't correct this truth. But it isn't the real issue at hand.
One of the first things a young Jewish boy would learn was the Shema.
4 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! [The New King James Version (Dt 6:4). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
There really are no other gods, just those who believe in other gods. The other so-called gods were manmade idols of stone, wood or metal; the only power behind them was demonic power. To worship an idol is to give the glory and honor and praise that God deserves to a thing; a thing created in the mind of sinful men and formed with sinful hands of sinful men.
18 To whom then will you liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare to Him?
19 The workman molds an image,
The goldsmith overspreads it with gold,
And the silversmith casts silver chains.
20 Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution
Chooses a tree that will not rot;
He seeks for himself a skillful workman
To prepare a carved image that will not totter.
21 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
[The New King James Version (Is 40:18–22). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
There is no other God, period. These idols are inanimate objects that have no power. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 Paul calls Satan the 'god of this age.' When Paul calls Satan a god he is referring to him as a 'so called' god, he doesn't mean for one second that Satan is a rival god to the Lord God. Satan is god of this age because so many regard him as a god, many, if not most, without realizing it. Many have adopted his ways, bow before his altars and revere the ways of the world.
The Levitical priests were taught to know the difference between the holy and common, the clean and unclean. They were supposed to teach it to the people who were to teach their children. Real life exists in the Lord God, in whom we live and move and have our being. Paul made this point at the Aeropagus in Athens.
26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, (Acts 17:26-28a).
All the philosophers taught that all of life was there for your benefit, given to you. God taught it was all his, given to you for His glory. Our walk in this life is that of distinguishing God's ways from all others. Eating meat offered to idols was nothing. The so-called gods were nothing. But the beloved brother or sister who you might stumble were created in His image. It would be better for you to have a millstone tied around your neck and thrown into the sea than to cause one of His little ones to stumble (Luke 17:2).
1 Corinthians 8:7-8
It was nearly impossible to avoid eating food that was offered to some idol in cities like Corinth. It's not hard to imagine a new believer who grew up seeing these animals offered to a god, and worshiping that god that way. Then, they become Christian. They feel it is wrong to eat that meat. They know where it comes from, this is part of the life they turned from. Some of these folks ate this meat because they were told they could or should. Yet in their conscience they felt it was wrong. Then after they ate, because their conscience was weak, they were suddenly consumed with guilt and distraught at having become defiled.
This same thing could happen to someone that ate meat for whatever reason and later found out it had been offered to an idol. They too would feel distraught and racked with guilt. Both of these people felt as if they had sinned against God by eating this meat. They felt as if they had honored this other god by their eating.
There is some thought that the 'strong' believers were coaxing or shaming the 'weak' to eat the meat as an act of becoming strong like them. In doing so, the strong were unwise, leading a brother or sister to go against their conscience.
The issue is not liberty, but the boundaries of that liberty. Can the strong exercise their liberty at the expense of the weak that have not worked through that knowledge yet? Paul will make the point that its not okay to stumble a fellow believer simply so you can exercise your liberty. When the 'strong' act outside of love, they reveal themselves as being wea k and foolish.
In the end, none were defiled because of the food they ate. They were defiled because they ascribed power to that food that it didn't have and they acted against their conscience. There was no power in the meat or the idol to which it was offered. Paul said that food doesn't commend us to God. We aren't in better standing with God eating one kind of food over another. Likewise, we are no worse for what we have eaten.
1 Corinthians 8:9-13
Paul issues a 'beware'! This word is used in several other places as it speaks of watching carefully for the evil that pursues you. It is diligent, careful and on the lookout. Eating of the meat in question was indeed a liberty, but that liberty could quickly become a stumbling block. This stumbling block is something thrown into the path of another believer that causes them to sin. Jewish teachers taught that stumbling someone away from God was worse than killing that person; it risked their place in the coming kingdom.
This liberty came to us by grace. We were bought with a price, redeemed from sin and death. Like a bondslave to Christ, our rights are only what the Master allows. We willingly accepted that when we surrendered to Jesus. He gave us this liberty, which is nothing more than the freedom to use our discretion to make a wise decision. We cannot use that liberty to stumble another believer.
As we 'work out our salvation' we learn to live and move and have our being in Him. We learn to listen to our conscience as the Holy Spirit uses it; part of this is learning the difference between conscience and the enemy placing burdens on us.
Imagine a brother in Christ seeing you down the road at a temple restaurant eating the meat that was offered to idols. Because of that, they decided to go eat also, even when their conscience told them it was wrong. They are racked with guilt. The brother didn't do anything wrong by eating the meat. He had the knowledge that an idol is nothing and that the meat can't hurt him. But his knowledge had the effect to embolden someone else. This embolden is 'to build up' and it built them up toward something they saw as sinful. It's a false 'strength' while the conscience remains weak and the knowledge hasn't formed a belief that it is nothing.
Could you say, "I have liberty, I did nothing wrong."
"It's the weak persons problem. They should grow in their faith."
The weak brother followed your example and tripped over your liberty. The knowledge, freedom and exercise of liberty led someone else to go against their conscience. They were led to sin. Is it right your bother perish for your liberty? Paul's use of the word 'perish' shows the importance of this. Jesus died for the weak. To sin against them is to sin against Jesus. Paul knows how this feeling. He thought he was righteously persecuting the Christians until he met Jesus on the way to Damascus. Jesus asked why he was persecuting Him? Saul's actions against the church were Saul's sins against Jesus.
Paul is saying that we must season our knowledge with love. The liberty we have in our knowledge can drive someone else to sin; which becomes our sin. We can have the knowledge of what our liberties are, however, if we live in our own knowledge without love we cause our brother to sin. In this case, Paul said there is no food that is worth the cost of making a brother stumble.
"It is foolish in the extreme that we should esteem as so entirely beneath our notice those that Christ so greatly cared for that he should have even chosen to die for them, as not even to abstain from meat on their account."(Chrysostom)
It is worth nothing, that there is a balance that must be attained. There are many folks carrying around their legalisms and insist on those around them living in those same legalisms. Having a ministry of legalism isn't the same as a weak conscience. At that time, some of the Jewish Christians believed you had to live as a Jew to become a Christian. Not abiding in these legalisms didn't cause these folks to stumble and sin; it just offended their legalism. While Paul encourages us to pass on some of our liberties to keep someone from stumbling, he would scold us to relinquish our liberty to pacify a legalist. See what he says in Galatians:
Galatians 2:11-21
11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
In this consideration for the conscience of others is the hazard of sending a message that we are somehow seen more righteous to God if we do certain things or don't do others. While the gospel message is a message of liberty and freedom from bondage. The price has been paid. Our actions are then a response to 'good news' we've received. Every aspect of our life should be a 'right response' to the God who went to such great lengths to save us.
If you are unable to continue your study straight through chapters nine and ten, you might jump forward to 1 Corinthians 10:14 where Paul completes his discussion of this topic.
©2006, 2010, 2016, 2022 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
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