Chapter 8:1–13

The next question asked by the Corinthians was about “idolatrous sacrifices”. In Greek-Roman world it refers to foods offered to different gods. It also involved participating in sacrificial banquets - eating together food offered to gods.

Now, it seems that some among the Corinthians - possessing knowledge that there are no gods (8:4) - participated in such celebration without any qualm of conscience. But others, probably those among the Jewish Christians seen it as idolatry (see a similar discussion in Romans 14 - regarding Sabbath and kosher food).

Paul’s main principle comes in 8:1 - knowledge is one thing, love-agape is another. The word “gnosis” - knowledge - could also meant a special knowledge only for selected few - and in this case it would indeed puff them up (1 Cor 4:6.18–19). For Paul agape is “a more excellent way” and in opposition to gnosis that puffs up (see 1 Cor 12:31; 13:4).

Knowledge, like all other gifts without love, is ‘dangerous’ or ‘detrimental’ (8:2).

Verse 8:3 is an interesting play on the word “gnosis”. Some are proud of their gnosis - that they know something (8:1), but what is more important is to be “known/recognized - egnostai” by God (1 Sam 22:6 - “David was recognized” LXX - Ecclesiastes 23:20 - an intimate knowledge in biblical language).

In this verse agape is connected with knowledge: agape is an active form, whereas “has been known - egnostai” in passive form. So, if one loves God, that person is known by God.

Or

An active love-agape on the part of person is met with an active “knowledge - recognition” of such person on the part of God.

You love God - God recognizes/knows you.

Verses 8:4–7

What is the object of knowledge?

  1. There are no idols - there is only one God;
  2. People have many gods and lord - either in heaven or on earth (important statement valid even today);
  3. Christians have only One God - the Father and One Lord - Jesus Christ;
  4. “Of whom” for the Father - He is the source of everything;
  5. “through whom” for the Lord Jesus Christ - He is the mediator in everything (1 Tim 2:5; Rom 11:36; Eph 4:5–6; Col 1:15–17; Heb 1:2; J 1:3).
  6. YET this knowledge is not in every ‘man’ that knowledge;
  7. There are still those who, because of their former “habit” (synetheia - being used to; accustomed - (it would refer to Greek Christians), cannot grasp the knowledge that they are no other gods. Therefore, eating “idolatrous sacrifices” they fill guilty.

Verse 8:8–13

Now, Paul draws conclusion from this knowledge:

  1. 8:8 - “Food will not place is beside or near God. Neither if we eat not we are behind, nor if we each do we excel” (Mark 7:15–23).
  2. But, this knowledge can be a stumbling block for the so-called weak Christians. Similar thought is in Rom 14:14–17.
  3. The ‘strong’ - imposing their knowledge upon the weak - cause the weak to “be destroyed”. By joining the strong in a sacrificial banquet the weak are convinced that they commit grave sin - idolatry. The point is very powerful. On the hand, Christ died for that person; on the other hand, the influence of a ‘strong’ Christian ‘ruins’ Christ’s work of salvation in that weak Christian. Paul wants to make us aware that we are responsible for each other. But, it is very heavy task.
  4. The problem of conscience is fundamental here, but Paul does not solve it here. How to move from a weak conscience - that old, former habit - to form a strong conscience.

Conscience is an inner voice informing us what is good and what is bad. Yet, it is not a guarantee of avoiding mistakes. Only when the conscience is guided by the Holy Spirit we can be sure of walking the path of truth (Rom 9:1).

The final conclusion of Paul: better to be a ‘vegetarian’ than offend a brother - who has weak conscience (Rom 14:13.20–23).

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