1 Corinthians 8

     Cf,10:23 ff.

     8:1.  See notes on the word arrogant at 5:1-8.  The connection to the action of leaven (yeast) should not be lost.  The RSV and NIV both more literally translate, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”  This reminds us of Jesus’ warning, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees” (Mt.16:6).  They had the knowledge that puffs up.

     8:2-3.  Human reason is as fallen as man’s other gifts.  Satan has more knowledge of God than any of us.  Intelligence plus knowledge, in a depraved mind, equals greater evil.  A bad man is worse than a bad dog, and a bad angel is worse than a bad man (C. S. Lewis).

     V.3 defines true wisdom.  Even the simple can gain understanding.  “The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps.19:7; cf. Ps.119:98-100).

     8:4-6.  This is what we know; that an idol is nothing, and there is one God only, the triune God for whom and through whom all things were made and have their existence.

     8:7-13.  But wisdom is found in love, not mere knowledge.  Our knowledge gives us liberty, and liberty gives us rights (9).  In the wisdom of God, Jesus gave up his rights for our sake (cf. Phip.2:4-8).  Should our knowledge ruin “the brother for whose sake Christ died” (11)?

     8:7,11 (cf. Rom14:14, 22-23).  The “weak conscience” is one that can easily succumb to sin through things indifferent in themselves (8).  We all have our weaknesses, and love demands that we bear one another’s burdens (Gal.6:2), not assert our rights.

     However, we must not confuse the weak conscience with those who would impose their conscience on others, as some of the Jews did who insisted Gentiles must be circumcised (Acts 15:1).  It has been truly said that some people will not only take your meat, but your vegetables too.  (Cf. Gal.5:1-12, a passage where Paul strongly urges resistance to the conscience of some, but only to protect the weak.)