1 Corinthians, Chapter 8
© Copyright 2002 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved

1 Corinthians 8:1-3
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Paul now turns to food.  As you recall, many false teachings had come out of the Corinthian fellowship.  "Things offered unto idols" refers to food offered in pagan temple sacrifices.

Paul says, "we know that we all have knowledge."  Those carnal, wild Corinthians had all knowledge?

They had the Spirit of God within, and He has all knowledge. Therefore, they had all knowledge available to them.

The Holy Spirit inhabits us to purify and mature.  The Spirit does not wait until we are purified and mature to come to us.

Having all knowledge does not mean that they understood all things. They had the understanding available in the same manner as we do today.  Pure human knowledge often causes us to be egotistical, but God’s love lifts us.

John 8:32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (NKJV)

Two plus two equals four! That is mathematically true! Here is a spiritual truth, Christians are now free.

My point is that human truth will not make you free.  The only truth that will make you free is Christ Jesus. He is the Truth!

The closer we are to Christ, the more we understand our human failings and the more we appreciate His victory.

Human ego is not a Christian virtue.

True worship may only be realized when your will becomes subject to His.

1 Corinthians 8:4-5
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.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

Paul continues, "As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols."

What is an idol? It is a false god.

Does an idol have power?

Any false idol’s power is derived only from those that worship it. It has no intrinsic power.

Satan’s power lies only in the area of deception. In the garden, deception was his tool.

There is only one God. Jesus is His only begotten Son.

1 Corinthians 8:6 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.

Whether Father or Son, there is one premier truth, Romans 11:36---“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

The fact is that there is but one God, the Father, out of Him are all things. We are in Him.  There is one Lord Jesus Christ, by Him are all things, and we by Him.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 may also be translated, "In (or by) the Firstfruits God created the heaven and the earth."

Jesus is the Firstfruits!  Of Him, through Him, and to Him, are all things.

1 Corinthians 8:7-11
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.
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.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
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;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

Not every person has access to that understanding.  Some understand grace and are able, through prayer and repentance, to deal with what seems to be sin.  Others go through the same situation, but without proper understanding suffer mental anguish.

It is my opinion that Christians should spend more time praising God for deliverance from sin and less time begging for deliverance.

We should confess our sins, but not dwell on them.

In dealing with a weaker (in the faith) brother or sister, we need to understand that we must do some things for their benefit.

Our freedom in Christ should never become a stumbling block to those that are weak.

In God’s grace, we are able to do many things that appear to be sin.

However, we should do all things with an eye to what Jesus would have done.

1 Corinthians 6:12---"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (NKJV).

Christ controls circumstances they do not control Him!

An old man that just recently accepted Christ is a babe in Christ, and therefore he is weak in the faith.

We should never cause a less mature brother or sister to stumble at what we do.

As the weak ones grow, they will become stronger and better able to handle liberty in Christ.

Christ died to free us not to imprison us again.

1 Corinthians 8:12-13
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
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.

When a stronger Christian wounds a weaker Christian---that is sin!

Paul told the Corinthians not to offend one another. Perhaps we need to re-read this chapter.

Chapter 9
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