1st Corinthians 08

KING JAMES BIBLE	KING JAMES 1611	VERSES TO VERSES	THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE

THINGS OFFERED TO IDOLS
1 NOW as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
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.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
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.
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.
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.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
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;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
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.

1Now as touching things offered vnto idoles, wee know that wee all haue knowledge. Knowledge puffeth vp: but Charitie edifieth.
2And if any man thinke that hee knoweth any thing, hee knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3But if any man loue God, the same is knowen of him.
4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice vnto idoles, wee know that an idole is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5For though there bee that are called gods, whether in heauen or in earth (as there be gods many, and lords many:)
6But to vs there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him, and one Lord Iesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7Howbeit there is not in euerie man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idole vnto this houre, eate it as a thing offred vnto an idole, and their conscience being weake, is defiled.
8But meate commendeth vs not to God: for neither if we eate, are we the better: neither if wee eate not, are we the worse.
9But take heed lest by any meanes, this libertie of yours become a stumbling blocke to them that are weake.
10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge, sit at meat in the idols temple: shall not the conscience of him which is weake, be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols?
11And through thy knowledge shal the weake brother perish, for whome Christ died?
12But when ye sinne so against the brethren, and wound their weake conscience, ye sinne against Christ.
13Wherefore if meate make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

I == Acts 15:20 , 29 Rom 14:3 , 10 , 14 , 22 ; 15:14 ; 1st Cor 10:19

II == Gal 6:3 ; 1st Tim 6:4

III == Ex 33:12 , 17 ; Nah 1:7 ; Gal 4:9 ; Rom 8:29

IV == Deut 4:39 ; 6:4 ; Isa 41:24 ; 44:8 1st Cor 10:19 ; Mark 12:29 ; 1st Tim 2:5

V == John 10:34

VI == Mal 2:10 ; John 1:3 , 16 ; 13:13 ; Rom 11:36 ; Eph 4:5-6 ; 1st Cor 1:2 ; 12:3 ; Acts 2:36 ; 17:28 ; Phil 2:11

VII == Rom 14:14 , 23 ; 1st Cor 8:4-5 ; 10:28-29

VIII == Rom 14:7

IX == Rom 14:1 , 13 , 20 Gal 5:13 ; 1st Cor 8:10-11

X == 1st Cor 10:28 , 32

XI == Rom 14:15 , 20

XII == 25:40 , 45

XIII == Rom 14:21 ; 2nd Cor 11:28

1Now concerning those things that are sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up; but charity edifieth. 2. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he hath not yet known as he ought to know. 3. But if any man love God, the same is known by him. 4. But as for the meats that are sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5. For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on earth (for there be gods many, and lords many). [1] Knowledge puffeth up: Knowledge, without charity and humility, serveth only to puff persons up. [5] Gods many: Reputed for such among the heathens. 6. Yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7. But there is not knowledge in every one. For some until this present, with conscience of the idol: eat as a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8. But meat doth not commend us to God. For neither, if we eat, shall we have the more; nor, if we eat not, shall we have the less. 9. But take heed lest perhaps this your liberty become a stumblingblock to the weak. 10. For if a man see him that hath knowledge sit at meat in the idol' s temple, shall not his conscience, being weak, be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to idols? 11. And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ hath died? 12. Now when you sin thus against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13. Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother.If meat scandalize: That is, if my eating cause my brother to sin.

COMMATARY

v 1. Now concerning - this is response to another question. This chapter is specifically regarding eating meat that has been offered to idols. Some was eaten in feast, some to private homes, and some to the meat market. This is very similar to the instructions in Romans 14 and 15. Two key words, “Love” edifies but “Knowledge” puffs up.

v 2,3. Knowledge is only partial, 13:12, but leads to love of God and others.

v 4-8. We know that there is only one God, so there is no harm in eating the meat that has been left over from that actually consumed in sacrifice to idols. The problem was, some believers didn’t have the knowledge that it was all right to eat that meat.

v 9-12 To the strong, meat was meat, but to the weak it seemed associated with idolatry, and idol worship is demon worship. So out of love for that person, Paul was willing to go without any meat in order that the weak Christian does not stumble. The knowledge and liberty may damage the conscience of a weak believer and cause him to actually eat as something offered to the idol. Paul does not say we have to follow his example, we can discern. During the Great Depression my father sold eggs to a tavern till he realized some might not know why he was going in there. After that, even though he needed every penny, he sold them to an egg dealer at a lower price.

v 13 To not eat meat under some circumstances might make pagans think they were snobs, but even then, don’t do it if it made a believer stumble. A weak believer should not be a spiritual bigot dictating the life of others, and he need not continue weak, but he can be taught.

Things to consider concerning doubtful things in chapters 8-10/
1 How will it affect my own spiritual growth?
2 How will it affect my witness to others?
3 Some things are definitely wrong and are to be avoided. (Immorality etc.)
4. Some things may not be wrong but lead to sin. (questionable entertainment)
5. Some only wrong in the eyes of the beholder. (I was rebuked by an immature believer for eating cookies offered after prayer meeting. “We were there to pray.”)