week 7 day 5

Read 1 Corinthians 8

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%208&version=NIV

8:1–3 Read 10:23–33 for the overall perspective. Paul’s immediate concern was the use and limitations of knowledge (8:1–4, 7, 10, 11). Paul admitted that knowledge alone was not the solution to the problem. Just setting a brother or sister straight about the facts would not achieve the edification and love God desired. Paul’s thesis that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (8:1) was supported by two examples (8:2–3). Paul showed that the problem was how knowledge was used, not how much was known.

Paul introduced a new subject—meat sacrificed to idols. In Paul’s day when portions of an animal were offered to heathen gods, part of the meat was eaten. If offered as a private sacrifice, the meat might be used for a banquet to which the offerer invited friends. If the offering was a public sacrifice, the meat could be sold in the markets to the people of the city. Should Christians buy and eat meat that has been offered to heathen gods? When invited to the home of a friend, should Christians eat meat that has been offered to idols?

In answering these questions, Paul developed important principles that enable believers to make the right decisions on questionable or debated matters: (1) Is it profitable? (6:12); (2) Is it enslaving? (6:12); (3) Will it hinder the spiritual growth of a brother or sister? (8:13); (4) Does it edify? (10:23); and (5) Does it glorify God? (10:31).

8:4–6 Paul began his solution to the problem of meat and idols by recognizing that idols are not true gods (8:4). All “gods” are excluded from the realm of power. Although Paul granted that there were “so-called gods,” such as those recognized in Greek and Roman mythology, there was only one true God with divine and sovereign power.

8:7–13 But some still believed that eating meat sacrificed to idols was wrong (8:7). On the northern slopes of the Acro-Corinth was a temple dedicated to Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture, marriage, and fertility. Located within the temple were a number of dining rooms where worshipers could eat their sacrifices. Some of the Corinthian believers had once dined there in honor of this goddess and thus they associated the eating of this meat with idol worship. Because of this association, eating the sacrificed meat probably defiled the consciences of many of the Christians there. Paul illustrated the power of example (8:10–11), which could cause others to sin against Christ and their consciences (8:12–13). Those who flaunted their Christian freedom would not have seen that their actions, though not wrong in God’s sight, might cause a weaker brother or sister to sin. 8:13 provides the principle that should regulate Christian conduct in morally neutral matters. The believers’ use of liberty must be regulated by love for God and other Christians and governed by self-restraint.

Discussion question
How far should a Christian go to avoid being a stumbling block?

Reflection question
What is one thing that you can do to encourage a brother or sister in Christ this week?