As we move on to chapter 8, we come to another matter which Paul has been asked to adjudicate upon. There was a division of opinion among the Corinthians with regards to the eating of meat from carcasses sacrificed to heathen idols.
There were those who, believing that an idol is nothing, freely ate the meat from such sacrifices either by buying it in the market (10:25) or in the home of a friend who was an idolator. Some even went so far as to join in the celebrations in the heathen temple or its vicinity that followed such a sacrifice, verse 10.
On the other hand, there were those who believed that such actions were wrong and sinful and were offended by them since they gave the appearance of sanctioning heathen worship and sacrifices. The conflict between these two parties was what Paul now addressed.
This division of opinion was another factor in the general divisions within the church at Corinth. Paul was asked to give his opinion on this question. It required all his skill and wisdom to give an answer that did not offend the liberty of one or the scruples of another. He must neither favour superstition nor uphold libertarianism. His dealing with this subject continues until 11:1.
I. AN INTRODUCTORY CAUTION — 1-3
1. A sense of knowledge tends to pride.
Verse 1. Paul was most likely responding to the terms in which the question was posed. There is a special danger of conceit facing the believer. The knowledge of Christ is not the possession of all, 2:7-10. Possessing such a knowledge may promote a pride by which we forget HOW we obtained the knowledge and so let the benefits of that knowledge slip. Humility is the key to obtaining and retaining knowledge, James 4:6, I Pet 5:5. Dogmatism and contempt of others follow in the wake of pride. Heed, For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself, Galatians 6:3.
2. Humility will temper our sense of having learned something with a sense of having much more to learn.
Verse 2. If we begin to feel that we KNOW something then have lost the knowledge of ourselves. We are puffed up, 1. As we truly learn more we learn also how little we know. Isa 6:5, Luke 5:8.3. Love is superior to knowledge. Love is required to make knowledge effective, II Kings 7:1-11.
II. AN ELEMENTARY CONFIRMATION — 4-6
Paul returns to the question and confirms a basic truth before taking issue with them regarding their conclusions and behaviour.
1. The heathen idol is nothing. It is part of the truth of God that idols are nothing. Isa 44:9-17. Nothing lies behind the idol, it represents nothing.
2. The multiplicity of gods marks the descent of man into darkness. Rom 1:21-25. Recent news reports of the Hindi gods drinking milk and crowds forming outside Hindi temples in United Kingdom shows us the results of apostasy upon this land. Satan is behind such idolatry, 10:20, II Cor 4:4, Eph 6:12.
3. There is only one God.
The Father from whom all things originate and the Lord Jesus, the agent by which the Father's will was carried out and accomplished. John 1:3, Col 1:16, Hebs 1:2.
III. AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION — 7-13
While ever believer has a general knowledge of the vanity of idolatry and the existence of only one God, yet the practical outworking of this truth was not known to all. True believers may retain foolish and erroneous notions from their former unsaved days amongst us here in Ulster are Christians who believe in cures and ‘holy wells’! Many would ridicule the notion of ghosts yet tremble to walk down a dark lonely road at midnight. The darkness and superstitions of a depraved heart are not easily overthrown. Therefore, while the truth was that idols were nothing and the meat offered to them may be freely eaten, there was a need to consider the feelings of those who had not yet come into a full experience of this truth.
1. We must give due consideration to the imperfections of one another.
Gal 6:1-3. We may exercise our knowledge to the hurt of others, 7-11. We may cause the weak brother to sin against his own conscience, 7. Or confirm another in a false view, 11.
2. We may thus commit sin while acting in a fashion that is not, in itself, sinful.
Verse 12. Notice it is a double sin — against a brother, against Christ, verse 12. The offending of a brother may have very disastrous results, verse 11. The word perish means to destroy or ruin. Our actions would then stand in terrible contrast to Christ's. We ruin what He died to save!
3. Love will make us determined to deprive ourselves rather than offend a brother in Christ.
Verse 13. Paul would do nothing that would possibly lead another into sin.So let us govern our words and actions.