1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 8  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
1 Cor. 8 is occupied with questions about whether it was right to eat things offered to idols. Those who had knowledge and who knew that an idol was nothing were offending their weak brethren who had not the same knowledge. With regard to this, knowledge puffed up, taken simply as such, but love edified. If any thought he knew any thing, he knew nothing yet as he ought to know, whereas, if any loved God, the same was known of Him. The character of the new nature is love, and God knows such (see John 10:1414I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (John 10:14)). As to things offered to idols, an idol was nothing, and there was none other God but one. There were many in heaven and earth called gods and lords, but with us, Christians, there was one God, the Father, of whom are all things and we unto Him, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and we through Him. God was the Source of all things; of Him are all things and to Him were all things to be gathered. Christ was the Divine Workman through whom were all things and we through Him. Of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. That was the true knowledge to have, but every one had not got this knowledge. Some had a conscience that the idol was something, and ate it as such. Their conscience thus became defiled. Not that meats made us pleasing to God, but if my liberty becomes a stumblingblock to a weak brother, I must take heed. A weak brother, seeing me eat in an idol’s temple, would be emboldened to do the same, and, not apprehending the truth in vers. 5, 6, would sin. Could you thus let the weak brother perish for whom Christ died? In thus offending the brethren you offend against Christ. Notice, the case of the weak brother’s perishing is put in the form of a question, as a warning to those who had knowledge (cp. Matt. 18: 6-10 ; Luke 17:1, 21Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. (Luke 17:1‑2)). The Lord doubtless would preserve His own children from being thus the cause of a weak brother’s perishing. The conclusion is, If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.