What role does our loving concern for the consciences of our Christian brothers and sisters play? Can Paul’s discussion of food offered to idols help? What does knowledge without love produce? What does love produce? How can knowledge alone that an idol is nothing lead to unloving acts?
1 Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Food offered to idols, shared with pagan priests and friends, was a sensitive dilemma for Corinthian Christians. Is loveless knowledge missing the most important knowledge? How much do we actually know about others’ sensitivities?
1 Corinthians 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
What ought we to know? Is it love? Treating each other’s sensitivities with love is more important than a know-it-all attitude. Is loveless knowledge harmful? How does loving God help?
1 Corinthians 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
The most important knowledge is that God knows us. He knows us if we love Him. In this situation, what knowledge could have come without love?
1 Corinthians 8:4 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.
The specific knowledge that was being addressed was that, everybody knew that an idol was really nothing at all. Are there sports and political heroes and lords in this world colloquially called gods?
1 Corinthians 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
What ought our attitude be? Ought we to be single minded as to who we worship?
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.
Do some in the church venerate national and historical figures, denominational founders, national flags, or exalt later church traditions above the teachings of Jesus, the apostles and prophets? Ought we to cause offense about such issues? What if some people believe a particular act is a sin which others believe is not?
1 Corinthians 8:7 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.
Are there still some decisions of conscience which are neither better nor worse?
1 Corinthians 8:8 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.
In making decisions, ought mature Christians to be loving, not wanting to offend others? What are some examples?
1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
What about alcohol, medical marijuana, working on Sunday or Saturday, praying in tongues, praying to Mary, venerating icons, baptism by sprinkling, baptizing infants, respecting the national flag, and a host of other matters of conscience among Christians?
1 Corinthians 8:10 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;
If we believe that our knowledge about any spiritual topic is more mature than another’s, what else should we consider?
1 Corinthians 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
What is the real problem when we don’t lovingly consider another’s conscience?
1 Corinthians 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
What is Paul’s personal resolve regarding such potentially offensive and sinful behavior? How far are we willing to go so as not to offend?
1 Corinthians 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Offending the conscience of other Christians about any matter is an offense against God, a sin. Yet, we all offend unknowingly at times. As we grow in the love of God, may we also grow in the love of others and treat their consciences with tenderhearted care.
