College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
1 Corinthians 8 - Introduction
Butler's Comments
Chapter Eight
THE PROBLEM OF CONSCIENCE (1 Corinthians 8:1-13)
IDEAS TO INVESTIGATE:
1.
Why is Paul so antagonistic to knowledgeis he anti-intellectual?
2.
Why were Christians having a problem with foods offered to idols?
3.
If eating or not eating is irrelevant, why all the fuss?
4.
Is it fair to hold me responsible for someone else's weak conscience?
APPLICATIONS:
1.
Are there today articles or commodities or things used in or associated with ungodliness which might be neutral in themselves but injurious to a Christian's conscience? Name some.
2.
Would Paul's instruction about things sacrificed to idols apply today in some foreign countries? Where? Why?
3.
What should a Christian do in a foreign country where idols are worshiped?
4.
If there are brethren in a congregation who seem to be too scrupulous about some things, what should the congregation do?
5.
If there are brethren in a congregation who seem to be insensitive to other's scruples, what should the congregation do?
6.
Would you classify yourself as weak or strong?
7.
Where would you classify a Christian who thought attending movies was wrong?. Who thought playing cards was all right?
8.
Do you think one Christian should give up any right he has just because another Christian thinks it is sinful?
9.
Do you think Christian liberty is a threat to Christian unity?
10. Do you think the weak Christian brother is a threat to Christian unity?
APPREHENSIONS:
1.
Why did some Christians know that an idol was not a god, and others did not know?
2.
How pervasive was idolatry in ancient Corinth?
3.
What kind of knowledge was Paul talking about?
4.
Is it knowledge Paul objects to, or is it the misuse of knowledge?
5.
How is knowledge to be used?
6.
What is man's highest obligation?
7.
What is the ultimate object of knowledge?
8.
Who are the strong?
9.
Who are the weak?
10.
Why do some Christians think an idol is really a god?
11.
Would a Christian who knows an idol is not a god be superior in his spirituality in the eyes of God?
12.
How serious is it to do something that causes a weaker brother to feel guilty?
13.
When would a strong Christian be obligated to resist the demands of a weaker brother?
14.
In what areas of modern life does Paul's principle of liberty versus love apply?
Applebury's Comments
CHAPTER EIGHT
Analysis
A.
Paul now considers the second question which the Corinthians had asked in their letter: The question of using meats that had been sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 8:1-3).
1.
Since such meats were sold in the markets, their question may have been, Can we as Christians use this meat? Or they may have put it in a declarative form, We know that we all have knowledge about this matter.
2.
The apostle's answer indicates an important distinction between knowledge and love.
a)
The principle involved:
(1)
Knowledge puffs up.
(2)
Love builds up.
b)
The application of the principle to their problem:
(1)
The one who may suppose that he has correct knowledge about such meats does not know all that he should know, that is, that knowledge is to be regulated by love.
(2)
If one loves God, he is known by Him. To be known by God is more important than to know about meats, especially, when the guiding principle of love for fellow man is forgotten.
B.
Paul explains the truth about idols and about God (1 Corinthians 8:4-6).
1.
What we know about idols and about God (1 Corinthians 8:4).
a)
Nothing is an idol in this world.
b)
No one is God except One, that is, there is only one true God.
2.
He explains what he meant by the remark about idols and about God (1 Corinthians 8:5-6).
a)
He acknowledges that there are those that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth.
b)
Consequently, there are in the thinking of some, gods many and lords many.
c)
It is different, however, with the Christian.
(1)
For us, there is one God, the Father.
(a)
He is the creator of all things.
(b)
We, as new creatures, are created for His glory.
(2)
For us, there is one Lord, Jesus Christ.
(a)
Through Him all things are created.
(b)
And we are made new creatures through Him.
C.
He discusses the problem of those who do not have this knowledge
1.
It raises the problem of conscience (1 Corinthians 8:7).
a)
Some, because of what they have been accustomed to think and because they do not have this knowledge, will, in eating this meat, consider it a sacrifice to an idolthat is, idol worship.
b)
By thus doing what they believe to be wrong, their weak conscience is defiled.
2.
He points out the truth about food (1 Corinthians 8:8).
a)
Eating food does not commend us to God.
b)
If we eat it, we are no worse off; if we do not eat it, we are no better off.
3.
This right to eat food sacrificed to idols is limited (1 Corinthians 8:9-11).
a)
He gives a warning about using this liberty which might become a stumblingblock to the weak.
b)
He explains what he has in mind:
(1)
He points to a situation in which a weak man may see someone eating in an idol's temple but who knows that he is not worshiping an idol in doing so.
(2)
He raises the question: Will not the weak one be emboldened to eat the meat and in doing so believe that he is actually worshiping the idol?
c)
He points out the tragedy that is involved in this lack of consideration for the weak brother.
(1)
The weak brother for whom Christ died is led to sin against his conscience and, as a result, he perishes.
(2)
By thus sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
D.
The principle of limitation of Christian liberty (1 Corinthians 8:13).
1.
The condition: If meat causes my brother to stumble.
2.
The resolution: I will eat no flesh forever.
3.
The reason: That I cause not my brother to stumble.
Questions
1.
What is the significance of the phrase, Now concerning?
2.
What was done with the meats after they had been sacrificed to idols?
3.
How had the converts from paganism been accustomed to think about the use of such meats?
4.
Why was this a real problem to some Christians?
5.
What information does Luke give about idolatry in Athens?
6.
Why was idolatry an inexcusable sin?
7.
What does man do to the glory of the incorruptible God by making idols?
8.
What does Paul say about the sins that accompanied idol worship?
9.
What are some of the points of contrast between idolatry and Christianity?
10.
What may have been in the mind of those who offered sacrifices to idols?
11.
What suggests that the idolater may not have considered the reason for his offerings to idols?
12.
Do Christians always think of the meaning of their acts of worship?
13.
What are the two views as to the authorship of the statement, we know that we all have knowledge?
14.
What is meant by the expression, Knowledge puffeth up?
15.
How must knowledge be controlled?
16.
How does love build up the body of Christ?
17.
How was the knowledge of the one who knew that there was nothing to an idol inadequate?
18.
What is the relation between loving God and knowledge?
19.
What bearing did this have on the problem of the Corinthians?
20.
How are we to understand the expression, no idol is anything in the world?
21.
What are some of the things in creation that men have been known to worship?
22.
What did Paul say to the men of Athens about making idols of gold?
23.
Why is an idol really nothing?
24.
What is the basic issue of Christian theology?
25.
What had the Jews been taught about God?
26.
What does the New Testament teach about the deity of Jesus?
27.
What was the pagan view as to the number of gods and lords?
28.
What term describes the one true God of the Christians?
29.
What bearing does the fact that God created all things have on the folly of man who makes an idol?
30.
What was God's purpose in creating man?
31.
How does the word Lord indicate the deity of Jesus?
32.
What is the function of Christ in Creation?
33.
What is God's purpose in bringing into being the new creature in Christ?
34.
What difference in the level of comprehension of revealed knowledge must be recognized?
35.
What is the meaning of the word conscience?
36.
What is the function of conscience?
37.
What is the standard by which the Christian's conscience is to be guided?
38.
What of the sense of guilt on the part of the one who believes he had done wrong even though no wrong was actually done?
39.
How is conscience defiled?
40.
What is a weak conscience? How can it be strengthened?
41.
Since food in itself does not commend us to God, what attitude toward others may do so?
42.
What did Jesus say about the things that defile a man?
43.
What is the basic idea in the word translated liberty in this chapter?
44.
What limit did Paul put on the liberty of the one who possessed knowledge about idols?
45.
Why should a Christian be concerned about the weak brother?
46.
Against whom do we sin when we sin against a weak brother?
47.
How were they wounding the conscience of the weak brother?
48.
How did Paul sum up his teaching on meats sacrificed to idols?
49.
Did Paul say that he would eat meat under no condition?
50.
What was his principal concern in this matter?
For Discussion
1.
The power of example in teaching.
2.
Some things Christians should forego today.