Sharper Iron: The First Principle is Jesus

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Rev. Charles St-Onge from Ascension Lutheran Church in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, studies 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. Today’s study covers getting a well-balanced devotional meal, “The Provincial Letters” by Blaise Pascal, the Gospel as the only thing that can deal with the underlying condition of sin, Jesus as the first principle, love needing no reward, and “What am I allowed to do?” versus “What do other people need?”.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Food Offered to Idols

8 Now concerning[a] food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.[b]

4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet 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.

7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating[c] in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged,[d] if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers[e] and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Footnotes:

1 Corinthians 8:1 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians’ letter; see 7:1

1 Corinthians 8:3 Greek him

1 Corinthians 8:10 Greek reclining at table

1 Corinthians 8:10 Or fortified; Greek built up

1 Corinthians 8:12 Or brothers and sisters

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.