1 Corinthians 8
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 8
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
~ 1 Cor 8:1
Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
We have heard of that many times and know where we should stand. But many a times, we tend to fall onto the side of knowledge rather than that of love.
If we have knowledge only, it will lead to pride, for knowledge alone puffs up.
Remember the proud Pharisee that Jesus spoke in His parable? The Pharisee stood there in the middle of the street thanking God that he was not like other men who were ignorant, uneducated and without the knowledge of God and did not fast and pray like he did. The poor tax collector on the other hand was mindful that he was not as wise, learned and religious as the Pharisee, just begged God for mercy.
We all know who was more blessed after their prayers.
Paul’s message about puffed up knowledge and love is very consistent…
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
~ 1 Cor 13:2
If you talk about knowledge, Paul was someone who had it in abundance. But he did not allow that knowledge to overshadow his love. And in his letters, Paul showed us what true knowledge and love is.
Love in Service & Not Just Knowledge
When there is knowledge without love, it will lead to pride of intellect. It just makes one feel superior to those who are weaker.
But when there is knowledge with love, it leads to humility and there is a sense of obligation. Paul was a great example of this. He was willing to go down to the level of his hearers and do whatever it takes in order to win them over to the love of Jesus. Someone once said this of Paul… “he went down to their level that he might bring them up to his level”.
and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
~ 1 Cor 9:20-23
Paul’s knowledge of God and more importantly his love for God and men led him to say, “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.” (Rom 1:14). And Paul’s life truly reflected that.
What about us?
Consideration for Others & Not Just Knowledge
Paul also showed us that if we just have knowledge, we will not have true consideration for others. In fact he warned those who have knowledge only saying:
9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
~ 1 Cor 8:9-11
he second thing that will happen to us if we have knowledge only will be a lack of consideration for others. Paul has to warn those who have knowledge only:
In their pursuit and excellence in knowledge, the Corinthian members only thought of themselves and behave in a way that had no consideration for others. They did not care if what they did will hurt or harm others. They did not worry if by exercising their liberty, they might cause others to fall.
No… everything was about themselves.
That must not be the goal of Christians. We are called to bring people to God and help them grow and mature in the Lord. Let not our little knowledge become a stumbling block to others and ourselves.
Knowledge without love becomes a stumbling block to the weak. Therefore, Paul’s principle must be ours.
“Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”
~ 1 Cor 8:13
Nothing I do must lead my brother to fall or lead to a weakening of his faith.
When we have been in church for a long time and have more knowledge of Christ, we must never exploit it for our own advancement and advantage. If we are like Paul who combined knowledge with love, we will not seek our own advantage but that of many, i.e. that they may be saved.
Paul did not use knowledge as a means of self-advancement but as a means of service.
His goal, his aim in the use of his knowledge, will be the saving of others.
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
~ 1 Cor 10:31 – 11:1
So let us learn from Paul and be like Paul. Just as he is like Christ.
“‘Knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up.”
And after all…
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
~ 1 Cor 13:1-3