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1
Corinthians Chapter Eight
1 Corinthians 8
After this the apostle answers the question respecting
meats offered to idols, which gives occasion to a few words on the value of
knowledge. Simply as knowledge, it is worth nothing. If we look at it as knowledge
that we possess, it does but puffs us up; it is something in me, my knowledge.
True christian knowledge unfolded something in God. By means of that which is
revealed, God, better known, became greater to the soul. It was in Him the
thing known, and not a knowledge in me by which I made myself greater. He who
loves God is known of Him. As to the question itself, love decided it. Since
such a question had arisen, it was evident that all consciences were not
brought into full light by spiritual intelligence. Now undoubtedly the idol was
nothing: there was but one God, the Father; and one Lord, Jesus Christ. But if
he who was strong sat at meat in the idol's temple, another who had not full
light would be encouraged to do the same, and his conscience would be
unfaithful and defiled. Thus I lead into sin,and, as far as depends on me, I
ruin a brother for whom Christ died. I sin against Christ Himself in so doing.
Thus, if meat causes a brother to stumble, let me altogether abstain from it
rather than be a snare to him. Here the apostle treats the question as arising
among the brethren, so as that which regards the conscience of each, choosing
to maintain in all its force that in fact an idol was nothing but a piece of
wood or stone. It was important to set the question on this ground. The
prophets had done so before. But this was not all that there was to say. There
was the working of Satan and of wicked spirits to explain, and this he does
further on.
We may remark in passing the expression, "To us there is but one
God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ." The apostle does not here
treat the abstract question of the Lord's divinity, but the connection of men
with that which was above them in certain relationships. Pagans had many gods,
and many lords, intermediate beings. Not so Christians. For them is the Father
abiding in the absoluteness of the divinity, and Christ who, become man, has
taken the place and the relationship of Lord towards us. The position, and not
the nature, is the subject. It is the same thing in chapter 12:2-6, where the
contrast is with the multitude of spirits whom the Pagans knew, and the number
of gods and lords. Nevertheless every one was not, in fact, thus delivered from
the influence of false gods on his imagination. They were still perhaps, in
spite of himself, something to him. He had conscience of the idol, and if he
ate that which had been offered to it, it was not to him simply that which God
had given for food. The idea of the existence of a real and powerful being had
a place in his heart, and thus his conscience was defiled. Now they were not
better in God's sight for having eaten, and by eating they had put a stumbling
block in their brother's way, and, so far as the act of those who had full
light was concerned, had ruined him by defiling his conscience and estranging
him from God in unfaithfulness. This was sinning against Christ, who had died
for that precious soul. If God intervened to shield him from the result of this
unfaithfulness, that in nowise diminished the sin of him who led the weak one
to act against his conscience. In itself that which separates us from God ruins
us in that which regards our responsibility. Thus he who has the love of Christ
in his heart would rather never eat meat than do that which would make a
brother unfaithful, and tend to ruin a soul which Christ has redeemed.
── John Darby《Synopsis of 1 Corinthians》
1 Corinthians 8
Chapter Contents
The danger of having a high conceit of knowledge. (1-6)
The mischief of offending weak brethren. (7-13)
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 8:1-6
(Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-6)
There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit
of knowledge. Much may be known, when nothing is known to good purpose. And
those who think they know any thing, and grow vain thereon, are the least
likely to make good use of their knowledge. Satan hurts some as much by
tempting them to be proud of mental powers, as others, by alluring to
sensuality. Knowledge which puffs up the possessor, and renders him confident,
is as dangerous as self-righteous pride, though what he knows may be right.
Without holy affections all human knowledge is worthless. The heathens had gods
of higher and lower degree; gods many, and lords many; so called, but not such
in truth. Christians know better. One God made all, and has power over all. The
one God, even the Father, signifies the Godhead as the sole object of all
religious worship; and the Lord Jesus Christ denotes the person of Emmanuel,
God manifest in the flesh, One with the Father, and with us; the appointed
Mediator, and Lord of all; through whom we come to the Father, and through whom
the Father sends all blessings to us, by the influence and working of the Holy
Spirit. While we refuse all worship to the many who are called gods and lords,
and to saints and angels, let us try whether we really come to God by faith in
Christ.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 8:7-13
(Read 1 Corinthians 8:7-13)
Eating one kind of food, and abstaining from another,
have nothing in them to recommend a person to God. But the apostle cautions
against putting a stumbling-block in the way of the weak; lest they be made
bold to eat what was offered to the idol, not as common food, but as a
sacrifice, and thereby be guilty of idolatry. He who has the Spirit of Christ
in him, will love those whom Christ loved so as to die for them. Injuries done
to Christians, are done to Christ; but most of all, the entangling them in
guilt: wounding their consciences, is wounding him. We should be very tender of
doing any thing that may occasion stumbling to others, though it may be
innocent in itself. And if we must not endanger other men's souls, how much
should we take care not to destroy our own! Let Christians beware of
approaching the brink of evil, or the appearance of it, though many do this in
public matters, for which perhaps they plead plausibly. Men cannot thus sin
against their brethren, without offending Christ, and endangering their own
souls.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians》
1 Corinthians 8
Verse 1
[1] Now
as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge.
Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Now concerning the next question you
proposed.
All of us have knowledge — A gentle reproof of their self-conceit. Knowledge without love always
puffeth up. Love alone edifies - Builds us up in holiness.
Verse 2
[2] And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as
he ought to know.
If any man think he knoweth any thing — Aright, unless so far he is taught by God.
He knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know — Seeing there is no true knowledge without divine love.
Verse 3
[3] But
if any man love God, the same is known of him.
He is known —
That is, approved, by him. Psalms 1:6.
Verse 4
[4] 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.
We know that an idol is nothing — A mere nominal god, having no divinity, virtue, or power.
Verse 5
[5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth,
(as there be gods many, and lords many,)
For though there be that are called gods — By the heathens both celestial, (as they style them,) terrestrial, and
infernal deities.
Verse 6
[6] 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.
Yet to us —
Christians.
There is but one God — This is exclusive, not of the One Lord, as if he were an inferior deity;
but only of the idols to which the One God is opposed.
From whom are all things — By creation, providence, and grace.
And we for him —
The end of all we are, have, and do.
And one Lord —
Equally the object of divine worship.
By whom are all things — Created, sustained, and governed.
And we by him —
Have access to the Father, and all spiritual blessings.
Verse 7
[7]
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.
Some eat, with consciousness of the idol — That is, fancying it is something, and that it makes the meat unlawful
to be eaten.
And their conscience, being weak — Not rightly informed.
Is defiled —
contracts guilt by doing it.
Verse 8
[8] 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 meat commendeth us not to God — Neither by eating, nor by refraining from it. Eating and not eating are
in themselves things merely indifferent.
Verse 10
[10] 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;
For if any one see thee who hast knowledge — Whom he believes to have more knowledge than himself, and who really
hast this knowledge, that an idol is nothing-sitting down to an entertainment
in an idol temple. The heathens frequently made entertainments in their
temples, on what hath been sacrificed to their idols.
Will not the conscience of him that is weak — Scrupulous.
Be encouraged — By
thy example.
To eat —
Though with a doubting conscience.
Verse 11
[11] And
through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
And through thy knowledge shall the weak
brother perish, for whom Christ died? —
And for whom thou wilt not lose a meal's meat, so far from dying for him! We
see, Christ died even for them that perish.
Verse 12
[12] But
when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin
against Christ.
Ye sin against Christ — Whose members they are.
Verse 13
[13]
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the
world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
If meat — Of
any kind. Who will follow this example? What preacher or private Christian will
abstain from any thing lawful in itself, when it offends a weak brother?
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 1
Corinthians》
Chapter 8. Food Sacrificed to Idols
No Worse If We
Do Not Eat
No Better If We Eat
I. Love Builds
Up
II. Idols are
Not Real God
III. Sympathize
with the Weak
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
Chapter Eight General Review 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 STUMBLINGBLOCK(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 stumblingblock to others (9) C. ABUSE OF KNOWLEDGE AND LIBERTY (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 ourbrethren who are weak in faith? (13)
- Even if it means to restrict what liberty we might have in Christ!
－－《Executable
Outlines》
Food
Sacrificed to Idols
No Worse If We Do Not Eat
No Better If We Eat
I.
Love Builds Up
1.
With Love
2.
Not With Knowledge
3.
Love God Undistractedly
II.Idols Are Not Real God
1.
Know the Idols
2.
God Creates All Things
3.
Eat on Account of Knowledge
III.
Sympathize with the Weak
1.
The Weak Conscience
2.
To Compromise for Brothers
3.
Refrain from Eating out of Love
－－ Chih-Hsin
Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》