1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (NRSV)
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Chapter 8Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Verse 2Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; Verse 3but anyone who loves God is known by him.
Verse 4Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." Verse 5Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-as in fact there are many gods and many lords- Verse 6yet 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.
Verse 7It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Verse 8"Food will not bring us close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Verse 9But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. Verse 10For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? Verse 11So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. Verse 12But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Verse 13Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.
Devotion
We often bemoan the fact that change is hard. It was hard for the people of Corinth in Paul’s time as well. Those who had come to believe in Jesus and followed Paul’s teachings were wondering if they had to give up attending the banquets that were served at their local temples. After all, they knew that the idols being worshiped at those temples had no real power, so what could it hurt to enjoy a good meal? Paul reminds those Christians—and us—that they should not only think about what is good for them, but also about what will help or hurt others around them. If feasting at Aphrodite’s temple might confuse or mislead a fellow Christian, it would be better to skip the feast. In what aspects of your life might you adjust your words or actions, not merely for your own benefit, but out of care and compassion for your neighbor?
Prayer
God of care and compassion, we give you thanks for the freedom that we find in Jesus Christ. Help us to use that freedom in ways that build up the faith of those around us. Amen.