Nor did he use to stay long in a place where his ministry met not with acceptance and success. 3. 1Co 8:1. 6But 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. And it is but too visible how much their wealth had helped to corrupt their manners, from the several faults for which the apostle reprehends them. One portion was burnt in honor of the god, one portion was given to the worshipper to take home and eat, and the third portion was given to the priest. Benson Commentary 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. d. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat: Paul makes the principle clear. And those who think they know any thing, and grow vain thereon, are the least likely to make good use of their knowledge. Men cannot thus sin against their brethren, without offending Christ, and endangering their own souls. There is not in everyone that knowledge: The Corinthian Christians who felt free to eat at the pagan temple may have based their freedom on correct knowledge (knowing that idols are nothing). of ii. 1 Corinthians 1 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (concise) - Christianity Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth. 1 Corinthians 8 | KJV Bible | YouVersion Food does not commend us to God: You arent more spiritual if you know idols are nothing and feel a personal freedom to eat meat sacrificed to idols (neither if we eat are we the better). Rev., no idol is anything. c. Things offered to idols: The issue raised many questions for the Corinthian Christians: Can we eat meat purchased at the temple meat market? Better, a called Apostle of Jesus Christ. ii. CHAPTER VERSE 1 Corinthians 8:9 "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak." King James Version (KJV) < Previous Verse Next Verse > View Chapter 1 Corinthians 8:9 Context a. Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. But the judges of Psalm 82 were called gods because in their office they determined the fate of other men. d. We know that we all have knowledge: Instead of talking about food, Paul first talks about the principles of knowledge and love. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. 6:9-20 warns them against the sin of fornication, and urges his caution with a variety of arguments. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. 1 Corinthians 8:6 Commentaries: yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. In this famous passage, the Apostle Paul describes 15 characteristics of love to the believers in the church at Corinth. Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content 1 Corinthians 8 King James Version 8 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. So the world would have found it to be if they had acted on it; and so Christians would always find it. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, The danger of having a high conceit of knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. Nor is what the ancients say improbable, that this incestuous person was a man in great esteem, and head of one party at least among them. King James Version (KJV). Try it free today. Their pride discovered itself in their parties and factions, and the notorious disorders they committed in the exercise of their spiritual gifts. Christian behavior is founded on love, not knowledge; and the goal of the Christian life is not knowledge, but love. 1. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idols temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? Christians know better. We also need to consider what is right towards our brothers and sisters in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 8, 'Thru the Bible' with Dr. J. Vernon McGee, One of over 125 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is actually 30-minute audio files that takes listeners through the entire Bible in 5 years iii. And if someone believes there is something to an idol, and they eat meat that has been sacrificed to an idol, their conscience, being weak, is defiled. [ a] 4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that "An idol is nothing at all in . Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. What does 1 Corinthians 8:9 mean? | BibleRef.com By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Chapter 8 The danger of having a high conceit of knowledge. i. Their avarice was manifest in their law-suits and litigations about meummine, and tuumthine, before heathen judges. Without holy affections all human knowledge is worthless. We are stumbled brothers. How Can We Model the Love of Jesus by Showing Compassion? The one God, even the Father, signifies the Godhead as the sole object of all religious worship; and the Lord Jesus Christ denotes the person of Emmanuel, God manifest in the flesh, One with the Father, and with us; the appointed Mediator, and Lord of all; through whom we come to the Father, and through whom the Father sends all blessings to us, by the influence and working of the Holy Spirit. Those who work hardest shall fare best. The really significant background, though, is its use in the Greek translation of the Old Testament to render the divine name, Yahweh Christians who used this as their Bible would be familiar with the term as equivalent to deity.. Those who are most faithful shall have the greatest reward. i. Leon Morris on Lord: This term could be no more than a polite form of address like our Sir. But it could also be used of the deity one worships. For the man is not of the woman. Many persons cover a spirit of envy and uncharitableness with the name of godly zeal and tender concern for the salvation of others; they find fault with all; their spirit is a spirit of universal censoriousness; none can please them; and every one suffers by them. Biblical Studies/New Testament Commentaries/1 Corinthians/Chapter 8 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. In doing so, they were actually building up their brother to sin! 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. 8:1-13 he directs them about meats offered to idols, and cautions them against abusing their Christian liberty. We are stumbled brothers. And if we must not endanger other men's souls, how much should we take care not to destroy our own! (7-13) Commentary on 1 Corinthians 8:1-6 (Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-6) There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge. From this he also takes occasion, in the 1 Cor. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, David Guzik :: Hebreos 7 Un mejor sacerdocio, un mejor Sumo Sacerdote, David Guzik :: Hechos 10 Cornelio, Pedro, y la Conversin de los Gentiles, David Guzik :: Hechos 2 El Espritu Santo Es Derramado Sobre la Iglesia, David Guzik :: 1 Samuel 16 Dios Elige a David, David Guzik :: 2 Timoteo 3 Los Tiempos Peligrosos y la Preciosa Verdad, H3068 - Yhv - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv), David Guzik :: 1 Samuel 22 David en la Cueva de Adulam, Sal Asesina a los Sacerdotes, David Guzik :: 2 Timoteo 4 El Testimonio Final de Pablo Para Timoteo, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus and the Holy Trinity (Walter Martin), The Two Ways of a Believer (Carl Westerlund), Isaiah 21-25 (1979-82 Audio) (Chuck Smith), Revelation 2:8-17 [1990s] (Chuck Missler), Clarke, Adam "Clarke's Commentary: The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments with a Commentary and Critical Notes" Volume 6 (Romans-Revelation) (New York: Eaton and Mains, 1832), Morris, Leon "1 Corinthians" (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans/IVP, 1988), Poole, Matthew "A Commentary on the Holy Bible" Volume 3 (Matthew-Revelation) (London: Banner of Truth Trust, 1969). Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. Pentateuch Verse 1. 1 Corinthians 8King James Version. The difference between puffs up and edifies is striking; it is the difference between a bubble and a building. All Rights Reserved. c. The Corinthian Christians may have reasoned like this: if idols are really nothing, it must mean nothing to eat meat sacrificed to nothing idols, and it must mean nothing to eat in the buildings used to worship these nothing idols. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. To love God is to know God; and he who thus knows God has been first known by God (compare 1Co 13:12; 1Pe 1:2). Indeed, in the ancient world, there were many, many different gods and even gods known as the unknown god to cover any gods one might have missed (Acts 17:23). Even if the legalists from a Jewish background had said to the Gentiles, Your lack of obedience to our customs stumbles us. i. Much may be known, when nothing is known to good purpose. He gives also some directions here about virgins, in answer, as is probable, to the Corinthians enquiries. Help My Unbelief!" Such persons have what is termed, and very properly too, sour godliness. (Clarke), 2018 David Guzik No distribution beyond personal use without permission. One of the Old Testament names for heathen gods is elilim nothings. Satan can be called the god of this age because he is regarded as a god by so many people. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. It is easy for a Christian to say, I answer to God and God alone and to ignore his brother or sister. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. The Old Testament Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. f. If anyone thinks that he knows anything: If we think we know it all, we really dont know anything he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 1 Corinthians 6 Bible Commentary - Matthew Henry (concise) - Christianity The Whole Bible He shows them the vanity of their pretended science and eloquence on many accounts. We should be very tender of doing any thing that may occasion stumbling to others, though it may be innocent in itself. b. There is no other God but one. Their luxury appeared in more instances than one, in their dress, in their debauching themselves even at the Lords table, when the rich, who were most faulty on this account, were guilty also of a very proud and criminal contempt of their poor brethren. Want to receive the Verse of the Day each day? 1 Corinthians 8 Commentary - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole 1 Corinthians 1 Commentary - King James Version Bible Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. A question about meat sacrificed to idols: beginning principles. However Paul is not speaking about being weak or strong in regard to self-control, but in regard to knowledge. But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. a. 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. An idol is nothing in the world ( ). From this situation, it is no wonder that Corinth should be a place of great trade and wealth; and, as affluence is apt to produce luxury of all kinds, neither is it to be wondered at if a place so famous for wealth and arts should be infamous for vice. Wisdom Literature Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Corinthians Chapter 2 8 1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. For example, in John 10:34, Jesus quotes Psalm 82:8-9, in saying You are gods. 1 Corinthians 8:3 Commentaries: but if anyone loves God, he is known by the same is known of him; is taught by him, made to know more by him; such an one increases in spiritual knowledge, or he is highly approved of, esteemed, and beloved by God: he takes a special and particular notice of him, manifests his love to him, and will own and acknowledge him another day, when proud, haughty, overbearing, and hard hearted professors, will be rejected by him. (1 Corinthians 8:4-6) Understanding the reality of the idols meat is offered to. b. What about Biblical passages which some take to suggest there are other gods? Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Prophets Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. In the 1 Cor. To eat idol food in violation of one's conscience is a sinnot because of the physical meat, but because such a person is not convinced that God approves of that activity (Romans 14:23). 11 Powerful Podcasts to Help Grow Your Faith. If the priest didnt want to eat his portion, he sold it at the temple restaurant or meat market. The meat served and sold at the temple was generally cheaper. (10-16) The doctrine of a crucified Saviour, as advancing the glory of God, (17-25) and humbling the creature before him. Pauline Epistles 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. ii. ii. d. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat: Paul makes the principle clear. Verses 1-6 There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in . Minor Prophets In the 1 Cor. Their conscience, being weak, is defiled: You can imagine the free Corinthian Christians with their superior knowledge saying, but were right! And in this case, being right is important but it is not more important than showing love to the family of God. to the Corinthians, But if any man love God, the same is known of him. Indeed, in the ancient world, there were many, many different gods and even gods known as the unknown god to cover any gods one might have missed (Acts 17:23). It is not improbable that they treated this question problematically, as they did many questions in philosophy, and tried their skill by arguing it pro and con. Access 50+ premium resources. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. Some Christians grow, others just swell! of Scripture. Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Corinthians Chapter 8 Not because their conscience doesnt work. an idol is nothing; sit at meat in the idols temple, shall not the conscience of him that is weak, to eat those things which are offered to idols, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth. You can copy the order of your preferred Bible translations from the Bibles Tab to the Version Picker (this popup) or vice versa. i. In this sense the word "known" is often used in the Scriptures. Yet, there is a knowledge that is important: the knowledge God has of those who love Him (if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him). The Bibles Tab is found in the Tools feature on Bible pages: Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. 8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. The Gospels Take Care with Your Liberty. 1. There is no other God but one. The one God, even the Father, signifies the Godhead as the sole object of all religious worship; and the Lord Jesus Christ denotes the person of Emmanuel, God manifest in the flesh, One with the Father, and with us; the appointed Mediator, and Lord of all; through whom we come to the Father, and through whom the Father sends all blessings to us, by the influence and working of the Holy Spirit. Verses 7-13 Eating one kind of food, and abstaining from another, have nothing in them to recommend a person to God. Many Christians would consider that one to be the stronger Christian. 2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. It is true we will answer to God and God alone, but we will answer to God for how we have treated our brother or sister. Without holy affections all human knowledge is worthless. 13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. Lest by any means - me pos. Let Christians beware of approaching the brink of evil, or the appearance of it, though many do this in public matters, for which perhaps they plead plausibly. 8Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a The Gospels Because of your knowledge, shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But for some, they have consciousness of the idol, and they eat meat sacrificed to the idol as a thing offered to an idol. (7-13) Verses 1-6 There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge. Can a Christian eat at the restaurant at the pagan temple? Poetical Books Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. A man's course, therefore, is not to be regulated by mere knowledge, but the grand principle is love to God and love to man. Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy Paul would never allow this principle to be a way for a legalist to make demands and bind a Christian walking in liberty. 1 Corinthians 8:6 Commentaries: yet for us there is but one God, the And the apostle, under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit, sets himself to do both with all wisdom and faithfulness, and with a due mixture of tenderness and authority, as became one in so elevated and important a station in the church. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. c. A stumbling block to those who are weak: To influence the weak brother to go against his conscience (and thereby wound their weak conscience) is actually to sin against Christ. 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. This is a general principle that is to regulate Christian conduct in all matters that are in themselves indifferent. Idols are therefore nothing in the world, and are only so-called gods. Johannine Writings GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, (Hebrew/Greek Search by English Definition), * 'Number Delimiters' only apply to 'Paragraph Order', Search verses, phrases, and topics (e.g. In the Old Testament, the number and variety of the words representing the objects of heathen worship, are a striking commentary upon the general prevalence of idolatry. It is used often in Christian wedding ceremonies. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. Let Christians beware of approaching the brink of evil, or the appearance of it, though many do this in public matters, for which perhaps they plead plausibly. b. (1-3) The principles of love and knowledge. (1 Corinthians 8:7) Not all have the same knowledge. Not because their conscience doesnt work. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. 1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. 1. In Galatians 2, Paul describes a situation where Peter made Gentiles think they had to come under Jewish customs and laws to be saved. Prophets In Acts 15:29, the Jerusalem Council sent a letter commanding some churches to (among other things) abstain from things offered to idols. Your legalism is being offended. The 1 Cor. (26-31) Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-9) Satan hurts some as much by tempting them to be proud of mental powers, as others, by alluring to sensuality. Some Christians grow, others just swell! They assume that one stance or another is evidence of greater or lesser spirituality. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. a. There is one God, the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ: Paul isnt distinguishing Jesus from God, as if Jesus were not God. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? You can also change some of your preferences. i. When Paul calls Jesus Lord, he uses the Greek word kurios, and this word would have meant something to Bible reading people in Pauls day. There is one God, the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ: Paul isnt distinguishing Jesus from God, as if Jesus were not God. 1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's: 3 . 2. Injuries done to Christians, are done to Christ; but most of all, the entangling them in guilt: wounding their consciences, is wounding him. Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind - Verse by Verse Analysis - Learn Religions 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in . 1:1-4:21. Eating one kind of food, and abstaining from another, have nothing in them to recommend a person to God. We also need to consider what is right towards our brothers and sisters in Jesus. i. Towards the close he informs them that they were indeed valuable gifts, but he could recommend to them something far more excellent, upon which he breaks out, in the 1 Cor. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 7Howbeit 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. become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. Proud member (1 Corinthians 8:9-13) What does matter: love towards those in Gods family. Luke-Acts You should be careful that by no conduct of yours your brother be led into sin. iii. 1. As well, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul calls Satan the god of this age. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 9:1-27, to expatiate a little on his own conduct upon this head of liberty. Thank you for registering. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point Even if the legalists from a Jewish background had said to the Gentiles, Your lack of obedience to our customs stumbles us.