WHAT ABOUT IDOLS?
1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (KJV)
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
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.
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
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.
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.
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.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
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;
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Notice the first word of the chapter, “Now…”
The Apostle Paul here takes up another question asked by the Corinthian believers.
The answer of it takes up the better part of chapters 8-10.
The question has to do with Christian liberty and knowledge.
Since we know that there is only one God, and that idols are nothing, why shouldn't we eat meat that is sacrificed to idols?
In those days, much of the available meat had been first sacrificed to idols. What remained was taken to the market and sold.
Was there anything wrong with eating that meat? For that matter, since we know that idols are nothing, was there anything wrong with eating that meat as a part of the sacrifice?
*I. THE REBUKE
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (KJV)
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
A. We all have knowledge
Paul is probably here rebuking their haughtiness by saying all of us have as much knowledge as these Corinthians do.
They were not the only ones who knew things about the Lord.
The key to having knowledge is not just having it... it is knowing what to do with it once you have it.
B. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth
Many of the problems our world is facing today can be attributed to the lack of understanding of this passage.
Go to any college campus and you will see the truth of the words "knowledge puffeth up."
People whose lives are given to getting of knowledge are, all too often, conceited and puffed up in there own self worth just because of what they know.
Education is the god of many of them.
Even on Christian college campuses, one of the things that has to be fought is that “knowledge puffeth up.”
The student goes to school and begins to learn great Bible truths. Pretty soon, he gets puffed up about all he knows, and begins judging those he feels doesn't know as much as he.
When I was in college, I saw students who wrote back to their home preachers condemning them for not understanding the truths these preacher students knew.
The fact of the matter was, their pastors knew these same truths. They had just learned as well not to be puffed up by their knowledge but to edify others through love.
C. There is no evidence of ignorance more common than a conceit of knowledge[1]
1 Corinthians 8:2 (KJV)
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
One of the best uses of knowledge is to bring us to the place that we know how much we do not know.
These Corinthians were puffed up in their knowledge and they were using that to the hurt of others.
D. More important than being known for what we know is being known for loving God
1 Corinthians 8:3 (KJV)
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Some of the best preachers and men of God in all of history were uneducated men.
But they loved God.
*II. THE FACTS
1 Corinthians 8:4-6 (KJV)
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.
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
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.
A. Idols are nothing
The fact is, there is only one God and that the idols people worship are just wood, stone, or metal.
On the other hand, while there is only one God, there are also many devils.[2]
B. There is one God the Father
Of Whom are all things.
All that is, is because God the Father willed it.
C. There is one Lord Jesus Christ
By whom are all things
All that is, is because Jesus Christ made it.[3]
This does not mean that God the Father is one God and God the Son is another God.
Always remember to take the whole Bible together.
1 John 5:7 (KJV)
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are together with the Holy Ghost, One God.
I don't understand it. I just know it is true.
*III. THE PRINCIPLE
1 Corinthians 8:7-13 (KJV)
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.
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.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
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;
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
This knowledge must not be placed above charity.[4]
A. Consider that some Christians are still growing in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 8:7 (KJV)
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.
They may not yet know that there is no other gods but God.
B. Consider that an offense made to a weaker brother is a sin against the Lord
1 Corinthians 8:12 (KJV)
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
C. Consider that the same knowledge, which allows you to do some things, also allows you to avoid them for another's good
1 Corinthians 8:13 (KJV)
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
The most mature Christians are those that know they could do things that are questionable, but for love of Christ and of the brethren choose not to.
Knowledge puffs up. It puts the individual where he seeks his own good first.
But the truly mature Christian will not use what he knows to build himself. Instead, in love, he will seek what will best edify others.[5]
[1]From Matthew Henry's Commentary
[2]1 Corinthians 10:20 (KJV)
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
[3]John 1:3 (KJV)
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
[4]This may be the biggest problem we have with youthful preachers, still novices in so many ways. They simply have not learned to love well enough to have patience with others.
[5]This may be one of the greatest Christian principles lost in the Baptist embracing of Protestant Theology. We want to get powerful enough to affect our ideals upon people through government.
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