1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 on biblegateway.com
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
You’re at a family dinner party. Uncle Jim is a vegetarian. Cousin Susan is a recovering alcoholic. So, should you pass up the hamburgers and decline a glass of wine as a show of solidarity, or not? Those things might not be a big deal to you, but they are to Jim and Susan. Does your freedom to choose trump respecting the concerns of others?
That’s at the core of this passage. Paul reminds the faithful Corinthians that not everyone is as secure in their belief as they are. And thus, what they choose to do – in this case, to eat meat originally meant for idol sacrifice because they know the idol doesn’t really mean anything – might cause great distress for those around them, who aren’t really sure what to think.
You might be free to make your own choices, Paul says, but some things are more important than freedom: Things like being sensitive, showing love, and building up the community. Because as a part of the body of Christ, ultimately our choices affect more than just us.
Prayer
Lord, help me to be sensitive to those around me today, so my words and actions will strengthen your kingdom, not tear it apart. Amen.