TRUE Arrogant Buildeth Builds Charity Conceited Edifies Edifieth Gives However Idols Images Love Makes Offered Ourselves Possess Pride Puffeth Puffs Sacrificed Seem Strength Subject Tends Touching Understand
8:1 Now {1} as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we {a} all have knowledge. Knowledge {b} puffeth up, but charity {c} edifieth.
(1) He begins to entreat of another type of indifferent things, that is, things offered to idols, or the use of flesh so offered and sacrificed. And first of all he removes all those things which the Corinthians pretended in using things offered to idols without any respect. First of all they affirmed that this difference of foods was for the unskilful men, but as for them, they knew well enough the benefit of Christ, which causes all these things to be clean to those that are clean. Be it so, Paul says: even if we are all sufficiently instructed in the knowledge of Christ, I say nonetheless that we must not simply rest in this knowledge. The reason is, that unless our knowledge is tempered with charity, it does not only not avail, but also does much hurt, because it is the mistress of pride. Nay, it does not so much as deserve the name of godly knowledge, if it is separate from the love of God, and therefore from the love of our neighbour.
(a) This general word is to be abridged as 1Co 8:7 appears, for there is a type of taunt in it, as we may perceive by 1Co 8:2.
(b) Gives occasion of vanity and pride, because it is void of charity.
(c) Instructs our neighbour.
8:1 The Duty of the String Toward Weaker Brethren
SUMMARY OF I CORINTHIANS 8:
Meat Offered in Idol Temples. Not Changed Because So Offered. But Not to Be Eaten Because of Weaker Brethren. Those Having Knowledge Must Act in Love.
As touching things offered to idols. Corinth, like all Greek cities, was full of temples to heathen idols. At their altars victims were constantly sacrificed, the flesh of which was afterwards eaten. The question arose whether a Christian could eat of such flesh without the sin of showing deference to an idol. Perhaps the letter to Paul had asked about this matter (1Co 7:1).
We all have knowledge. Some pleaded their knowledge that an idol was nothing (1Co 8:4), not divine in any sense. Paul tells them that the question is one, not of knowledge, but of charity.
Knowledge puffeth up. Those who professed to be knowing ones put on an air of superiority.
8:1 Now concerning the next question you proposed. All of us have knowledge - A gentle reproof of their self - conceit. Knowledge without love always puffeth up. Love alone edifies - Builds us up in holiness.
8:1-6 There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge. Much may be known, when nothing is known to good purpose. And those who think they know any thing, and grow vain thereon, are the least likely to make good use of their knowledge. Satan hurts some as much by tempting them to be proud of mental powers, as others, by alluring to sensuality. Knowledge which puffs up the possessor, and renders him confident, is as dangerous as self-righteous pride, though what he knows may be right. Without holy affections all human knowledge is worthless. The heathens had gods of higher and lower degree; gods many, and lords many; so called, but not such in truth. Christians know better. One God made all, and has power over all. 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. While we refuse all worship to the many who are called gods and lords, and to saints and angels, let us try whether we really come to God by faith in Christ.
Already Arrogant Builds Charity Conceited Edifies Edifieth Gives However Idols Images Love Makes Offered Ourselves Possess Pride Puffeth Puffs Sacrificed Seem Strength Subject Tends Touching True. Understand
Already Arrogant Builds Charity Conceited Edifies Edifieth Gives However Idols Images Love Makes Offered Ourselves Possess Pride Puffeth Puffs Sacrificed Seem Strength Subject Tends Touching True. Understand
