ENTERING IDOLATROUS TEMPLES AND EATING FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS (8:1-11:1). Paul now deals with a question central to the heart of every converted Gentile. In Corinth as in other Gentile cities idolatry entered into every part of life. It affected every aspect of life. The question then was how were C... [ Continue Reading ]
'Now concerning things sacrificed to idols.' Paul here indicates by 'now concerning' that he is dealing with the second main question raised by the Corinthians through their visiting party (compare 1 Corinthians 7:1), the question of things sacrificed to idols. 'We know that we all have knowledge.... [ Continue Reading ]
'If any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows not yet as he ought to know, but if any man loves God, the same is known by him.' This applies especially in our relationship to God. We may have a little knowledge in this respect, but it is nothing like what we ought to know. Whatever our knowled... [ Continue Reading ]
'Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as there are gods many, and lords many, yet to us there is one God, the Father, of... [ Continue Reading ]
'Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge, but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.' But not all know fully within their hearts that this is so, that gods are nothing, and that there is but One God. Some... [ Continue Reading ]
'But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.' So the strong should remember that the eating of food will never commend us to God, even eating it in defiance of idols. We are no better or worse for it. If we abstain from eating it... [ Continue Reading ]
'But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak. For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting at meat in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak... [ Continue Reading ]
'Wherefore, if meat causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, in order that I do not cause my brother to stumble.' Paul's conclusion is therefore that he himself would do nothing that might make another stumble. If his eating of meat would cause another to stumble he will neve... [ Continue Reading ]