1 Corinthians 8:1

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.

'Now concerning' -signals that Paul is picking up yet another item from their letter (1 Corinthians 7:1).

'sacrificed to idols' -'the portion of the flesh left over after the heathen sacrifices.' (Robertson p. 137)

We should note that when truth is on the line, Paul doesn't even come close to accommodating the views of the world. The pagans would of called such, 'sacrifices to. divinity'. Paul says, 'no, they are sacrifices to idols'.

'We know that we all have knowledge' -'Of course we all have knowledge, as you say.' (NEB)

Points to Note:

1. In this first verse Paul might to quoting. phrase they used in their letter to him.

'his first concern is with the incorrect ethical basis of their argument. The problem is primarily attitudinal. They think Christian conduct is predicated on..knowledge..and that knowledge gives them..rights/freedom to act as they will in the matter. Paul has another view: The content of their knowledge is only partially correct, but more importantly, knowledge is not the ground of Christian behaviour, love is.' (Fee p. 363)

'The Corinthians, it seems, had made. statement in their letter to Paul to the effect that they were all duly informed in regard to idols and idol meats.' (Lenski p. 334)

In fact, they might have given Paul their own conclusion. They may have settled this issue in their own minds and their argument appears to have run something like, 'Since idols are nonentities, and since food is. matter of indifference to God, it matters not not only what we eat but where we eat it as well. So how can Paul forbid their going to the temples?' (Fee p. 362)

In the minds of some of them, they already had it figured out. Paul's responds, 'Wait. minute'.

2.. suspect that even the weak knew that only one God existed, but as yet were unable to make the practical application (1 Corinthians 8:7).

'Knowledge puffeth up' -'makes arrogant' (NASV); 'breeds conceit' (TCNT) Note the contrast-- "puffed up" and "edifieth", 'The contrast is striking between puffing up and building up--a bubble and. building.' (Vincent p. 226)

Points to Note:

1. Paul is not ridiculing "knowledge"-'Paul will never despise accurate teaching, he will never think knowledge to be unimportant. He will never exalt intellectual ignorance. But Paul will make it clear that. man with knowledge may be loveless and/or puffed up...We will learn that nothing in the disciple's life is to be judged merely by knowledge.' (McGuiggan p. 121)

2. Paul's very purpose in writing is to "inform" (1 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1; 1 Corinthians 15:1). Incorrect knowledge is just as bad as "mere" knowledge. (Romans 10:1)

3. Since love does not rejoice in unrighteousness (1 Corinthians 13:6) but rejoices with the truth. Love will always embrace the correct or biblical viewpoint. But at the same time, Paul points out that one can hold the correct view, and yet be completely wrong in their motives. (1 Corinthians 13:2 'And if. have...all knowledge..but do not have love,. am nothing.)

4. Knowledge isn't everything. 'It is good in itself, but one must know how to use it, with what to combine it, or he will still go wrong.' (Lenski p. 334)

At this juncture, Erdman makes. good point, that we need to meditate upon: 'one who determines to act solely in accordance with what is theoretically allowable has not yet learned the Christian way of life.' (p. 89)

Right here there must be. word of warning to those who try to 'walk the line'. Christians that insist that they are within their "rights" in. certain practice. We need to examine such subjects as smoking, social drinking, gambling, questionable apparel-movies, music..in light of the principle that Paul lays down here.

5. Even biblical knowledge can puff up, if love isn't present.

'but love edifieth' -3618. oikodomeo oy-kod-om-eh'-o; from the same as 3619; to be. house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm: -(be in) build(-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden.

-'love builds up character' (TCNT) 'Not only is love "not puffed up" (1 Corinthians 13:4), but quite the opposite, it "builds up".' (Fee pp. 366-367)

In our day and age of "rights/pro-choice", Fee makes. good point: 'Rights/freedom is not the final goal of Christian ethics, but what is "beneficial" and "constructive" is (1 Corinthians 10:23)..the aim of Christian ethics is not Stoic self-sufficiency..rather..its aim is the benefit and advantage of. brother or sister.' (pp. 366,367)

'The Corinthians were. knowledgeable group. There was. lot of "light and liberty" but it was light without warmth and liberty without love...For all its knowledge, for all its gifts, for all the brilliance of its intellect..what shape was it really in? Was all this the sign of bustling heath or active disease?' (McGuiggan p. 122)

Possibly some in Corinth were arguing that if you forced. person to eat against their will, or crammed knowledge into their head, that such would "spiritually build them up". 'Hit them over the head with it, make them "get used to it", force them to do it enough and then they won't have. problem with it.' In fact, this is the way that the world often handles those with "conscience problems". 'Hey, grow up, give up your idealism, this is the way that we do business, and if you do it enough, your conscience won't bother you any longer just as mine doesn't.'

God couldn't disagree more! No, forcing someone to violate their conscience isn't the way that you correctly or lovingly solve the problem.