“Now concerning food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes one conceited, but love edifies people.”
1 Corinthians was written in response to questions from the church. Apparently, believers had correctly deduced that an idol is just a lifeless object. So, if meat killed in front of it is cheaper, why not eat it?
However, some new believers were disturbed by this activity… They were hurt by the freedom practiced by these “mature” believers … So, apparently the mature believers wrote Paul, requesting approval for this practice.
It’s not a difficult theological question… those eating the meat were right… It makes no difference whether an animal is slaughtered in a barn, or in front of an inanimate idol... But Paul responds to the problem the question reveals… not the question itself.
He is perhaps repeating the statement “We all possess knowledge.” …and then criticizes the underlying reason for it. He, not too gently, points out that knowledge puffs you up… but love builds others up.
If I say, ”my humility makes me better than you” – You know there’s a problem with that statement. Paul is pointing out an issue to the Corinthians in the same way. If you say you know about love, yet your knowledge leads you to run roughshod over your neighbor’s feelings, then you don’t know about love.
Paul is saying that they have a heart problem. He is explaining to them that being correct doesn’t always make you right. Paul could have properly said, “eat what you want”, as Luke said in Acts 10:15. But in this case Paul doesn’t want to discuss the law, he wants to address their hearts toward their younger brothers and sisters in the faith. Your knowledge of the law is flawed if you use it to only promote yourself.
When is the last time you gave up your freedom for fellow believers? Have you ever passed on an argument you could have won because you cared more about others than yourself? Later in this letter, Paul basically says, “if eating my favorite food causes my brother to stumble, then it’s off the menu”… Is that your approach to your friends at church – or does your “knowledge of your rights” make you the most important person in the pew?
“A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.”
- Benjamin Franklin
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