1 Corinthians 8

Grace to you, and peace in our Lord,

The next chapter in 1 Cor deals with a specific issue in the Corinthian church, but we will find many applications for our own lives.

The memory passage is:
1 Corinthians 8:1,8,12 (ESV)
Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.
Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.
Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

The outline theme is Correct Liberty in Christ.

This theme is similar in title to Romans 14 (Righteous Liberty in Christ). 1 Cor 8 and Rom 14 deal with similar topics and come to very similar conclusions. Each has its own slant, but the main idea is the same, as we will see.

Verses 1-3 deal with the Cor church's perception of knowledge. In the context of the issue of food offered to idols, Paul agrees that 'all of us posses knowledge'. But knowledge alone builds up one's ego; contrasted with love which invests in true growth for one's self and for others. He continues by saying "if you think you really have it figured out, you don't. Your knowledge is woefully incomplete. But if you love God, then you will be known by God." This last phrase seems backwards at first glance; shouldn't it read 'if you love God you will know God'? But that's not what it says. Being known by God is infinitely more important than knowing anything else.

He follows in vv4-7 with an affirmation of basic doctrine; there is one true God. Because an idol has no real existence, the food offered to one is inconsequential to Christ-followers. People make up all kinds of 'gods' and 'lords'. But THE God is Creator and object of our praise, and THE Lord is our Sustainer and loving Master.
Even though we know this to be true, there are still those who have 'weak consciences' and are affected by that former association.

Firstly, what about us? Verse 8 summarizes our approach; Food is food; we are no worse or better off for eating it.

Secondly, what about the weak of conscience? Paul devotes the rest of this chapter to them. If someone who has an issues with certain foods sees us eating it, will they not be encouraged to eat, too? This could bring back issues from former idolatry or plunge them back into a lifestyle they associate with that idolatry. Verse 11 pulls no punches, "by your knowledge this weak brother in Christ is destroyed". The actions of the 'free' can directly affect the actions of the 'weak'. If we sin against them by harming their conscience, we sin against Christ Himself.

Therefore (Paul concludes), don't make food an issue. It's better us to abstain from food (meat in this case) completely rather than cause harm to a brother.

How does this affect my worship?
I love that affirmation of doctrine in verse 6; yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. What a beautiful and poetic description of God. The Father is the Creator and the One for whom we live. Jesus Christ is our Sustainer and the means by which we live. This echoes the end of Romans 11; for from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. While the simplest prayer and worship, if offered in spirit and truth, can be a sweet smelling offering to God, the more He reveals to us who He is the more fully we can worship His fullness. Psalm 7:17 says 'I will give to the Lord the praise due His righteousness'. May we daily seek to know more of Him and His righteousness.

How does this affect my discipleship?
This whole issue comes to bear when dealing with non or new believers. People have all sorts of baggage that they bring to the table. As a disciple-maker, it is essential that I am aware of any 'food issues' (alcohol, fatty foods, locations, associations) that might hinder growth or damage a conscience. And if a situation ever does come up, I need to be the one to concede my 'freedom' for the sake of the weaker brother. They may mature and grow out of their baggage, but it's not for me to yank them out. In the Lord's time.

May we walk this week in the hand of our Creator by the strength of our Sustainer,

Ethan