1 Corinthians 8:1-4, 8
Ps Paul Cheng
~5 min read
Dear Bethelities,
A knowledge of the Bible is extremely important (c.f. Romans 10:17). But there are many professed believers who take their biblical knowledge, not for the sake of truth but sin. One classic example was found in the Garden of Eden where Satan used his knowledge to tempt Eve. He knew the Word of God (although he did not believe in it), and thus he used it in the most wicked and deceptive way.
One must never use his biblical knowledge as an excuse for sin, or for his own advantage, or to suit his own situation. Here in 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 is an excellent example of such a behaviour. The Apostle Paul answered and said to the Corinthians, Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth (v.1).
Paul was answering a series of questions, and concerning this matter of food offered to idols. These were things involved with the worship of false gods. On the surface, there appeared to be two aspects in regard to this issue; firstly, what was being eaten (the food itself that had come from the sacrifice offered to false gods), and secondly, was the food purchased in the public market and then eaten at home.
One writer gave the historical background of the food being eaten and sold in the public places in those days, “The eating of cultic meals was a regular part of worship in those days. This was true not only of the nations that surround Israel, but of Israel itself. In Corinth during Paul’s time, such meals were still the regular practice, both at state festivals, and private celebrations of various kinds. There were three parts to these meals; the preparation, the sacrifice proper, and the feast. The meat was divided into three portions; those that were burnt before the gods, those that were given to the worshippers to be eaten, and those that were placed on the table of the gods which were attended by the priests. For the most part, the Gentiles who have become believers in Corinth, had probably attended such meals all their lives. These were the basic restaurants in those days. Every kind of occasion was celebrated in this fashion.”
Therefore, somehow there were connections with the worship of false gods in all kinds of dinners, celebrations and state functions. The sacrifices made to idols would be offered, and a portion would be set aside for the pagan worshippers to enjoy (like a fellowship meal in the temple), and the food that was left over from the table of the false gods that was not consumed, would be sold in the public marketplace.
So, the question is not just, “Are they eating food that has some association with the worship of false gods?” But rather, “Have they purchased it in the public market and taken it home to eat, or are they actually going to the temple of the false gods and sitting down in those festive meals like they had done all their lives? Have they returned to that paganistic practice?” At this point in time, Paul was no longer with them, and it appeared that they had returned to their old paganistic practices (c.f. read verse 10).
So, the Corinthians were trying to justify their action on the basis of knowledge. They were reasoning amongst themselves that they were not doing anything wrong in view of what they knew. That was why Paul said, we know that we all have knowledge, referring to their knowledge about two things; (1) the eating of food in sacrifice offered to idols that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one (v.4), and (2) the food itself represented nothing for it could not bring them closer to or further away from God (v.8). Thus, in light of these two things they knew, the Corinthians concluded that not only did it not matter what they were eating, but also it did not matter where they were eating it.
Essentially, it was as if the Corinthians were saying, “We know that the idol is nothing. There is no such thing as a false god. How could we be affected by something that does not exist? Even if there is a group of people in the temple who were eating food offered to idols, and we happened to be there, and we joined them in the feast, it is no big deal! And eating whatever food does not bring us closer to God or draw us further away from Him. We have theological understanding and knowledge. It is not a problem!
The Corinthians were very wrong! Later on, Paul would deal with their erroneous understanding (c.f. 10:20-22) where he said to them, “You have nothing to do with idolatry, and the fellowship with devils, and food sacrifice to devils. Why do you want to provoke God? Why do you want to involve yourself with any type of idol worship?”
But before Paul corrected their understanding about food offered to idols, he wanted to deal with a more pertinent matter, and that was their prideful attitude. So, he began by saying, Knowledge puffed up, but charity (or love) edifieth.
I. A knowledge void of love is useless
Most certainly, Paul was not against knowledge. Throughout his epistles, he had always emphasised the importance of knowledge. What he was against was knowledge that was void of love, and that kind of knowledge would make a person puffed up, proud and arrogant.
A knowledge of God’s Word alone is not enough. It is essential but not sufficient. To have love and no knowledge is unfortunate, but to have knowledge and no love is equally tragic.
The problem with the Corinthians was not the lack of knowledge, but rather they did not have love. A person may know the Bible very well, and be able to quote the Scriptures by memory, from Genesis to Revelation, but if he does not have love, it would be worth absolutely nothing!
Dear friend, does your knowledge make you proud? Does what you know make you arrogant? Does your knowledge help you to forgive others, understand others, work and serve together with others for the glory of God? If your knowledge is not humbling you, and producing a sweet spirit in you, and a heart that desires to be more and more like Christ, then something is wrong with your knowledge. Our knowledge must be coupled with love!
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
(To be continued in our next pastoral chat)
1 CORINTHIANS 8Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 1)Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 1)1 Corinthians 8:1-4, 8
Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 2)Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 2)1 Corinthians 8:2
Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 3)Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 3)1 Corinthians 8:3
Love and Christian Liberty (Part 1)Love and Christian Liberty (Part 1)1 Corinthians 8:4-6
Love and Christian Liberty (Part 2)Love and Christian Liberty (Part 2)1 Corinthians 8:7-13