Skip to content
Scripture Mapping

1 Corinthians 8

World English Bible

WEB

1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn’t yet know as he ought to know. 3But anyone who loves God is known by him. 4Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5For though there are things that are called “gods”, whether in the heavens or on earth—as there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him. 7However, that knowledge isn’t in all men. But some, with consciousness of an idol until now, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don’t eat are we the worse, nor if we eat are we the better. 9But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol’s temple, won’t his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forever more, that I don’t cause my brother to stumble.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

1 Corinthians Chapter 8 addresses the issue of food offered to idols, a topic that was causing division among the believers in Corinth. The Apostle Paul begins by acknowledging that knowledge can lead to pride, but love builds up the community. He emphasizes that while some may possess knowledge about the non-existence of idols, it is crucial to consider how this knowledge affects others, particularly those who may be weaker in faith. Paul reminds the Corinthians that their freedom should not become a stumbling block to those who are less knowledgeable about the implications of eating food sacrificed to idols (#idols).

Paul further explains that although an idol is nothing in the world and there is only one God, not everyone possesses this understanding. For some, eating such food can lead to a violation of their conscience, causing them to sin against Christ. He stresses that if eating meat causes a brother or sister to stumble, he would rather abstain from meat altogether than cause them to fall (#brotherlylove). This chapter highlights the importance of love and consideration for others in the exercise of Christian freedom, urging believers to prioritize the spiritual well-being of their community over personal liberties.

Study

13 of 14 dimensions

Referenced by

  1. Job 12:2v1Job sarcastically acknowledges his friends' supposed wisdom, similar to how Paul warns against the arrogance of knowledge without love in 1 Corinthians 8:1-2.
  2. Romans 14:1v9Romans 14:1 advises believers to accept those who are weak in faith without quarreling over disputable matters. Similarly, 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 discusses the importance of being considerate of others' consciences, especially regarding food offered to idols.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

Your study

Take it with you

This chapter’s study as a Markdown file. The analysis was written for a notebook originally, so the hashtags arrive as hashtags and the passages as links.

Download the analysisDownload it with your notes and highlights