1 Corinthians 8:1

1 Corinthians 8:1 says, Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.  Eating food sacrificed to idols was a point of dispute for the Christians of Paul's day.  Some believed it okay to eat it, while others felt it was a sin.  Verse two adds, And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.  I believe that Paul was warning against believing that what a person thinks making them feel morally superior to those who disagreed with them.  If we begin to think we alone know the total truth about God, we become vain in our own knowledge and prove that we really know nothing.  We can know that the cross is the only way to salvation beyond a doubt, but we cannot claim to know everything about how everyone should relate to the things of this world.  Verse three continues, But if any man love God, the same is known of him.  Paul said that those that love God are known to God.  We do not need to judge the relationship between God and anyone else.  We can be certain that if they love God, which I believe means to be saved through grace by the gift of salvation on the cross, God will keep and instruct them.  Verse four states, 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.  This was another issue creating divisions in the church.  Some felt that since meat was sacrificed to idols it was somehow no longer fit for Christians to eat.  Paul simply reminded them that idols have no power, and certainly were not divine.  Our concern should be how we use the things God blesses us with instead of being concerned about anything sacrificed to an idol.  Verse five adds, For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)  Nothing has changed since Paul's day. There are many in the world today called gods.  Some countries even see their leaders as divine.  Still, not all false gods are represented by some idol.  Whenever anyone rejects Christ as their Savior and Lord, they are in effect making themselves their own god.  Verse six continues, 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.  Paul declared that the world may claim that there are many gods, but the Christian knows that there is but One God.  We speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but we do not worship three different Gods.  We live by and through the power of God.  Verse seven says, 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.  I believe Paul was saying that even if eating meat sacrificed to idols was not a sin of itself, for those who believed it was a sin, for them it was.  This does not mean that each person determines what sin is, but that in some areas that may not be clearly defined, some may feel that something is a sin that others who are more mature in faith do not.  Verse eight adds, 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.  I believe Paul was reminding the people at Corinth that the things of this world do not determine our acceptance by God.  Only faith in Christ does that.  Verse nine continues, But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.  This is a warning to those who are stronger in their faith, their liberty in Christ, to not allow this liberty to become a stumbling block.  We are not to lord over weaker followers but are to live so that we don't cause others to stumble in their service to God.  Verse ten states, 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;  I believe Paul is warning us to not do anything that could possibly be viewed as wrong by fellow believers and lead them to do something they feel is wrong.  Verse eleven adds, And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?  I don't believe Paul was saying that the weak brother would be lost, but that they would perish without growing in faith as they should.  Christ died for them, and we should live putting their welfare above our own.  Verse twelve continues, But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. We may have freedom in Christ, but if we cause another to waver in faith, we sin against Christ.  All our actions should bring glory to God.  Verse thirteen concludes, Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.  Paul said though he knew that there was nothing wrong in eating meat sacrificed to idols, if his eating it caused others to stumble, he would not eat it.  We must do nothing that causes a weaker Christian to stumble.