1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. 9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Commentary
Vs. 1 1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
All believers have a knowledge of God, yet not all believers know that the knowledge they posses is not exclusive to themselves. And thus some through their knowledge are puffed up (i.e. proud, arrogant, haughty etc.) towards others, which is not walking in love, but is sin. Now knowledge is never to be an entity in of itself. Acquiring Biblical facts and Spiritual insights through the study and contemplation of Gods' s Word is not to be a pursuit in of itself. For Biblical knowledge is given us to bring us into a right relationship with God and with others, yet this can only happen where love is present. Thus putting on knowledge without checking it first with love will only lead to pride and strife. That is why the Apostle Paul warns us all that "knowledge puffs up, but love edifies."
Vs. 2-3 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
If anyone thinks they know anything, but they are not walking in love through the knowledge of God given them, then they know nothing as they should know. While loving God through the knowledge of God given one is to be known by God. For Biblical knowledge must always transcend the mind and ego and reach the heart if it is to be saving and ultimately transforming.
Vs. 4-6 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
The Apostle Paul now moves to the question at hand. Can believers eat meat offered to idols? A question of some relevance not only to the ancient Corinthians but us as well, since the principals that Paul elucidates through his response can likewise direct us when we encounter those "grey" areas of modern life that Scripture does not directly address. And so to begin the Apostle Paul acknowledges that though there are many idols; and thus "gods" and "lords" in this world. Yet none of these lifeless man-made objects have any power to create or to destroy, to do good or evil (consider Isaiah 41:23-24; 44:9-20; 46:6-7; Jeremiah 10:1-16; Habakkuk 2:18-20 etc.). They are simply dead and mute idols which degenerate mankind heaps up for themselves in attempts to gain power or have control over their own lives circumstances. Thus whatever place an idol has in the unregenerate persons heart, it has no such place in the believers heart, because for us there is only One God of whom are all things, just as there is only One Lord Jesus Christ through whom God created all things, and through whom we live (vs. 6). Thus the idol has no power to corrupt food or drink. What gives them their corrupting "power" is the place they have in peoples hearts (Exodus 20:3). Thus meat that comes from a pagan ritual sacrifice to an idol, does not have any sort of spiritual power to corrupt the meat, and thus the Christian, by their eating it. For the idol is nothing, and it means nothing to the believer. Which is far different than if the Christian partook in the pagan ritual sacrifice, believing something would come of it, and thus they worshiped the idol, and then they ate of it's sacrifice, than that would be sinning against the Lord (see 1 Cor 10:14-22; Exodus 34:12-16). And so doing something like that is to be distinguished from merely eating of meat that was used in a pagan ritual sacrifice, and then was later sold to the general public for consumption. Which was the case in ancient Corinth where many pagan temples then existed, and thus large portions of meat sold in the markets, or the temples themselves, were likely from such rituals. Thus eating such meat is not wrong, because, again the idol is nothing, and it means nothing to the believer. Thus the believer is not worshiping the idol when they do.
Now this principal could also be used to help us understand that for a believer practicing such things as martial arts, or yoga, or participating in Halloween etc. all which is basically a morally indifferent act (at least as far as I have observed them now practiced). And so if those things in of themselves mean nothing to a believer, and they are just a means to an end, to get in shape, or learn self defense, or be neighborly towards ones neighbors and their kids etc., then whatever spiritual elements one may attribute to them, those things will truly have no place in the believers heart, and thus cannot harm them, nor defile them, as long as their conscience is at peace about doing them (see Rom 14:23).
Vs. 7 "However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled."
Here then is the problem. There are believers who consciences are weak, and thus who have not yet embraced all the liberties which Christ purchased for them (and us all), and thus when they eat meat that they suspected (or even knew) was sacrificed to an idol, they eat it as though it were offered to an idol. That is they eat it as if the the idol actually meant something, and thus when they eat of it, they feel they are committing idolatry and thus they only sin against their own weak consciences (see Rom 14:22-23). Now we know that an idol is nothing, it has no power to do good or to do evil. Therefore we are not to live in superstition and fear, rather we are to live in the glorious liberty of the children of God, because God has not only sanctified us, but also all things that He Himself has created through His Son for us. And so meat that is offered to an idol cannot defile us, as long as we partake of it in faith (Romans 14:23), and in prayerful thanksgiving, all food then becomes sanctified to our bodies nourishment, regardless of where it came from, or where we partake of it (1 Tim 4:4-5).
Now this same principal applies to Christians today who overly scrutinize basically morally indifferent things like food, music, dance, clothing, restaurants, sporting events, movies, and you name it. Now some scrutiny (which is up to the individual believer) maybe necessary, as we live in a fallen world, yet none of these things are inherently wrong for any believer to do and enjoy. Which is why legalism is so insidious, because it defiles the sanctified consciences of believers through the doctrines and commandments of men, who only try to walk a tight-rope of very thin and often misleading moral lines. And thus they only strengthen sins foothold in their lives (and the lives of those who heed them) when they do (1 Cor. 15:56; Col. 2:20-23). Just as the Apostle Paul warns of Israel, that in seeking to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to the righteousness of Christ, for Christ Jesus is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Rom 10:3-4). Therefore all believers everywhere, regardless of their backgrounds, must be very careful to whom they submit and subject their own consciences too (consider Matt. 16:6-12).
Vs. 1 1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
All believers have a knowledge of God, yet not all believers know that the knowledge they posses is not exclusive to themselves. And thus some through their knowledge are puffed up (i.e. proud, arrogant, haughty etc.) towards others, which is not walking in love, but is sin. Now knowledge is never to be an entity in of itself. Acquiring Biblical facts and Spiritual insights through the study and contemplation of Gods' s Word is not to be a pursuit in of itself. For Biblical knowledge is given us to bring us into a right relationship with God and with others, yet this can only happen where love is present. Thus putting on knowledge without checking it first with love will only lead to pride and strife. That is why the Apostle Paul warns us all that "knowledge puffs up, but love edifies."
Vs. 2-3 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
If anyone thinks they know anything, but they are not walking in love through the knowledge of God given them, then they know nothing as they should know. While loving God through the knowledge of God given one is to be known by God. For Biblical knowledge must always transcend the mind and ego and reach the heart if it is to be saving and ultimately transforming.
Vs. 4-6 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
The Apostle Paul now moves to the question at hand. Can believers eat meat offered to idols? A question of some relevance not only to the ancient Corinthians but us as well, since the principals that Paul elucidates through his response can likewise direct us when we encounter those "grey" areas of modern life that Scripture does not directly address. And so to begin the Apostle Paul acknowledges that though there are many idols; and thus "gods" and "lords" in this world. Yet none of these lifeless man-made objects have any power to create or to destroy, to do good or evil (consider Isaiah 41:23-24; 44:9-20; 46:6-7; Jeremiah 10:1-16; Habakkuk 2:18-20 etc.). They are simply dead and mute idols which degenerate mankind heaps up for themselves in attempts to gain power or have control over their own lives circumstances. Thus whatever place an idol has in the unregenerate persons heart, it has no such place in the believers heart, because for us there is only One God of whom are all things, just as there is only One Lord Jesus Christ through whom God created all things, and through whom we live (vs. 6). Thus the idol has no power to corrupt food or drink. What gives them their corrupting "power" is the place they have in peoples hearts (Exodus 20:3). Thus meat that comes from a pagan ritual sacrifice to an idol, does not have any sort of spiritual power to corrupt the meat, and thus the Christian, by their eating it. For the idol is nothing, and it means nothing to the believer. Which is far different than if the Christian partook in the pagan ritual sacrifice, believing something would come of it, and thus they worshiped the idol, and then they ate of it's sacrifice, than that would be sinning against the Lord (see 1 Cor 10:14-22; Exodus 34:12-16). And so doing something like that is to be distinguished from merely eating of meat that was used in a pagan ritual sacrifice, and then was later sold to the general public for consumption. Which was the case in ancient Corinth where many pagan temples then existed, and thus large portions of meat sold in the markets, or the temples themselves, were likely from such rituals. Thus eating such meat is not wrong, because, again the idol is nothing, and it means nothing to the believer. Thus the believer is not worshiping the idol when they do.
Now this principal could also be used to help us understand that for a believer practicing such things as martial arts, or yoga, or participating in Halloween etc. all which is basically a morally indifferent act (at least as far as I have observed them now practiced). And so if those things in of themselves mean nothing to a believer, and they are just a means to an end, to get in shape, or learn self defense, or be neighborly towards ones neighbors and their kids etc., then whatever spiritual elements one may attribute to them, those things will truly have no place in the believers heart, and thus cannot harm them, nor defile them, as long as their conscience is at peace about doing them (see Rom 14:23).
Vs. 7 "However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled."
Here then is the problem. There are believers who consciences are weak, and thus who have not yet embraced all the liberties which Christ purchased for them (and us all), and thus when they eat meat that they suspected (or even knew) was sacrificed to an idol, they eat it as though it were offered to an idol. That is they eat it as if the the idol actually meant something, and thus when they eat of it, they feel they are committing idolatry and thus they only sin against their own weak consciences (see Rom 14:22-23). Now we know that an idol is nothing, it has no power to do good or to do evil. Therefore we are not to live in superstition and fear, rather we are to live in the glorious liberty of the children of God, because God has not only sanctified us, but also all things that He Himself has created through His Son for us. And so meat that is offered to an idol cannot defile us, as long as we partake of it in faith (Romans 14:23), and in prayerful thanksgiving, all food then becomes sanctified to our bodies nourishment, regardless of where it came from, or where we partake of it (1 Tim 4:4-5).
Now this same principal applies to Christians today who overly scrutinize basically morally indifferent things like food, music, dance, clothing, restaurants, sporting events, movies, and you name it. Now some scrutiny (which is up to the individual believer) maybe necessary, as we live in a fallen world, yet none of these things are inherently wrong for any believer to do and enjoy. Which is why legalism is so insidious, because it defiles the sanctified consciences of believers through the doctrines and commandments of men, who only try to walk a tight-rope of very thin and often misleading moral lines. And thus they only strengthen sins foothold in their lives (and the lives of those who heed them) when they do (1 Cor. 15:56; Col. 2:20-23). Just as the Apostle Paul warns of Israel, that in seeking to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to the righteousness of Christ, for Christ Jesus is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Rom 10:3-4). Therefore all believers everywhere, regardless of their backgrounds, must be very careful to whom they submit and subject their own consciences too (consider Matt. 16:6-12).
Vs. 8 "But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse."
It's not food that commends us, or anyone else to God. And so whether one eats or doesn't eat (or even what they eat, or don't eat) is absolutely irrelevant, because it's faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead, for that alone commends a person to God!
Vs. 9 "But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak."
Having expounded every Christians liberty, the Apostle Paul now checks that with our responsibility (Vs. 9-13). For exercising ones liberty in the presence of one who has a weak conscience regarding whatever it maybe (here eating meat offered to idols) is not walking in love towards that fellow believer, because love at times requires that we deny ourselves in consideration of others. That is the principal that the Apostle Paul sets forth here. Therefore the Apostle Paul warns us all not to use our liberties In Christ in such a way so as to be a stumbling block (gr. proskomma, ‘that which causes someone to sin’ or ‘that which provides an occasion for someone to sin.’ Louw Nida 88.307) to anyone.
Vs. 10-11 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
Here the issue is not the eating of sacrificial meat in the Temple, for a believer this is a morally indifferent act because they have not participated in the ritual sacrifice and pagan ceremony itself. They are merely going there to eat or purchase some meat that was thus offered, and is now being sold to the general public. And thus they are at full liberty to do so. However if another believer whose conscience is weak sees one doing so, and they being weak in conscience wrongly understand what was taking place, then they themselves might become emboldened to eat those things offered to idols (vs. 10). That is they themselves might become emboldened to partake in all the rights and ceremonies of the idols worship so that they might have the freshly sacrificed meat, rather than eating the leftover stuff that was sold to the general public. Therefore if such was the case, it would not be right for a believer to do so. For then they would be emboldening their weak brother to sin. Thus the Apostle Paul says in verse eleven, "And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?" vs. 11
And so though we have liberty, ("All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful"), we must not use our liberties in such a way that it would harm or destroy others. For though we are eternally safe and secure, sin still has very real consequences for all believers (consider 1 Cor 11:27-32).
Vs. 12-13 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Here the Apostle Paul makes it clear that using ones liberties in such a way so as to make another believer stumble (gr. skandalizo, "cause to stumble") is a sin against Christ. Therefore the Apostle Paul says if eating meat (i.e. doing something though lawful for me to do, yet might embolden my weak brother or sister in Christ to do something that is not lawful to do, or causes them such an offense so that they move away from their faith) I will not do, lest I make one of my brethren stumble. Now an example might be drinking wine with a meal, which is fine for a believer to do. However say I go to dinner with another believer who has very strong convictions about not consuming any sort of alcohol, I think it would be incumbent open me not to drink wine while we dine together, out of love for them. Thus if I know a brother or sister in the Lord has a weak conscience in some area then I should not needlessly offend their weak conscience by pushing forth my "right" to do whatever it is that I know is lawful for me to do, by doing it in their presence. That said forgoing my rights to do what I know is lawful to do, should not be held hostage to the misguided beliefs of one who is weak in their faith. For though I deny myself out of love for my brethren, I must not legitimize the misguided beliefs and practices of those who are weak in their faith. Rather through love help those who are weak in their faith grow up into all the liberties Christ has purchased for us all so that they can live their new lives In Christ more fully and abundantly and thus ultimately more fruitfully.
Holy Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Additional Resources Consulted
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 774). New York: United Bible Societies.Louw Nida).
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
Additional Resources Consulted
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 774). New York: United Bible Societies.Louw Nida).
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
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