1 Corinthians 8 (Listen)
8:1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Devotional:
Food will not bring us close to God. We are not worse off if we don’t eat, and we are not better if we do eat. But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak. (1 Corinthians 8:8-9)
In Paul’s time, some believers thought it was a sin to eat meat if it had been used in a sacrifice to idols, while others recognized that idols were nothing and thus had no problem eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Paul’s solution to this problem was to both instruct on the lack of reality of idols but also on the importance of being conscious of the struggles of fellow believers. Our goal should never be our own enjoyment or pleasure but rather how to help our brothers and sisters maintain and grow in their faith. We don’t deal with this question of meat sacrificed to idols, but the principle remains the same that we should think through how our actions and choices can impact the faith of our brothers and sisters around us.
Pray It: Father, forgive me for the times I act on what I want without considering how I can serve and help my sisters and brothers in the faith. Help me to use my freedom to serve and bless, not harm and distress my fellow Christians. Amen.
Share it: Who can you share a verse or thought from this passage with today?