July 7 Click on verses for Full Scripture

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Today's Pathway: I Corinthians 8:4-13 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.

We saw yesterday that Paul contrasted "knowledge" and "charity". Knowledge certainly has value, but love must also play an important role in a believer's decisions concerning his liberty in Christ. Paul writes in verses 4-6 that when it comes to eating meat sacrificed to idols, the mature believer knows that the god to whom the meat was offered does not really exist. The world may refer to different things or people, both real and imaginary, as "gods", but many of these things do not exist at all (Allah, Vishnu, Baal, etc.) and those that do exist (the sun, certain animals, etc.) are not gods, simply elements in nature that the unbelievers choose to worship. There is only one God, the Father, and one Lord Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, both of Whom created all things and in Whom believers dwell.

In verse 7 Paul says that not every person understands this, including some immature believers. John MacArthur wrote,

"Not all believers were mature in their knowledge and understanding of spiritual truths. Some were new Christians. They may have imagined that the gods the idols represented were real. They knew that there is only one right God, but perhaps they had not yet grasped the truth that there is only one real God. Even if they did understand that, the experiences of their past paganism were so fresh that they rejected all that was related to it. They did not want to be tempted to fall back into former practices".

Here is the scenario so far: believers who were more mature understood that the "gods" being worshiped through idols in the pagan temples really did not exist at all. Therefore, the meat had been offered to nothing, and thus could be freely eaten by a Christian. They had knowledge. They knew the truth and they acted upon the truth. However, Paul then points out in verse 8 that whether or not a person eats meat has no relevance to his relationship with God. Eating meat offered to idols doesn't make you a better Christian, and refusing to eat meat sacrificed to idols doesn't make you a lesser Christian. It seems that some in the Corinthian church who had the correct knowledge concerning the idols saw themselves as being superior to those who did not understand, and perhaps would even flaunt this knowledge in front of their weaker brethren. So now Paul brings in the concept of "charity". He warns the knowledgeable believers that they need to be careful so as to not harm their less knowledgeable brethren by eating the meat. If the younger believer truly believed that it was wrong to eat the meat, and then saw his more knowledgeable brother eat the meat, particularly in the idol's temple, he might be encouraged to participate in that activity himself even though he believed it to be sinful. We discussed this back in Romans chapters 14 and 15. Romans 14:23 reads,

"And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

So, Paul says that even though a believer may have the knowledge that such an activity is not wrong in itself, he needs to have love towards his weaker brother and not risk his brother's spiritual growth by participating in it. The eating of the meat may not have been sinful, but tempting a brother in Christ to stumble IS sinful, both against the brother and against Christ Himself. Thus, Paul concludes that he would choose to never eat meat again, even though he had the liberty to do so, if it might harm his brother in Christ.

Just because we CAN do something doesn't mean that we SHOULD do it. The spiritual well being of others is more important than the exercise of our personal freedoms.