Love and Christian Liberty (Part 2) [Sister Steph]

Dear Bethelites,

In 1 Corinthians 8:4-13, the Apostle Paul was dealing with the issue about eating meat offered to idols. I do not think the eating of meat offered to idols is really a problem in our society, and most of us would feel that it is not relevant to us.

I. Understanding the background

However it was a major problem in the church at Corinth. The city of Corinth was idolatrous. Almost all the meat that was purchased in the marketplace for the people to eat had been offered to an idol in one way or another. In those days, when the meat was offered in a pagan sacrifice, it was divided into three parts; one portion was burned to be given to the idol, another portion was given to the priests, and the third portion was taken home and eaten by the worshipper. Therefore, if a person visited his friend’s house for a meal, there was a high chance he might eat the meat that was offered to the idols. Or, the priests might take the leftovers and re-sell it in the marketplace, and someone might end up buying meat that had been previously offered to the idols. Therefore, the Corinthians would in some way or another be eating meat that had been offered to idols.

II. Understanding the issue

Some of the Corinthians had come to believe in the gospel of Christ, and they were saved from pagan idolatrous worship. They wanted to have nothing to do with their old ways of life. It is like an alcoholic who became a Christian and he wants to stay as far away as he can from the alcoholic drink. Or a gambler who became a Christian and he wants to stay as far away as he can from those places and people that are engaged in gambling activities. That was the situation with the Corinthians, especially the new believers, because they wanted to stay away from any meat that had been offered to idols.

But then there were some of the Corinthians who were the so-called “spiritual ones,” or “knowledgeable ones,” who had the mindset, “We all know that an idol is nothing. It does not exist, and therefore eating something offered to something that does not exist means nothing. So, it is alright to eat! Furthermore, eating does not bring one any closer to God or draw one any further away from Him. So, it is alright to eat!”

III. Understanding the heart’s attitude

In answering this question about eating food offered to idols, the Apostle Paul was dealing with a deeper issue and that was the attitude of the heart; a head full of knowledge but a heart void of love.

1 Corinthians 8:4-5, 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 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). In other words, Paul was like saying, “I agree with you for all of us know that an idol is nothing because there is only one God, even though there are many people who would worship many gods and lords.”

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 (v.6). The word us was a reference to the believers. The believers had the knowledge of the one God who created all things and through Him they were created. This knowledge was correct and accurate, but it was not enough to have this knowledge alone. There was something else they needed, and that was love.

Remember in the preceding verses (v.1-3), Paul had said, “Knowledge alone would be puffed up, but knowledge and love would build up. If anyone proudly thinks he has knowledge, in reality he knows nothing. And it is not how much you know, but rather who knows you. The most important thing is that God knows you. If you love God, then you are known of him.”

Using this essential element of love, Paul would deal with the issue of eating meat offered to idols.

With love in Christ,

Pastor Paul Cheng

(To be continued in our next pastoral chat)

1 CORINTHIANS 8

Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 1)

Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 1)

1 Corinthians 8:1-4, 8

Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 2)

Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 2)

1 Corinthians 8:2

Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 3)

Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 3)

1 Corinthians 8:3

Love and Christian Liberty (Part 1)

Love and Christian Liberty (Part 1)

1 Corinthians 8:4-6

Love and Christian Liberty (Part 2) [Sister Steph]

Love and Christian Liberty (Part 2) [Sister Steph]

1 Corinthians 8