Bullet Point Bible - 1 Corinthians 8

Knowledge Puffs Up, Love Builds Up

¹ With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that "we all have knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.² If someone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know to the degree that he needs to know.³ But if someone loves God, he is known by God.

Paul addresses a specific question from the Corinthian church regarding eating meat previously offered in pagan sacrifices.
The phrase "we all have knowledge" was likely a slogan used by some Corinthians, possibly boasting about their understanding of Christian freedom.
Paul contrasts "knowledge" (Greek: *gnosis*) which can lead to arrogance ("puffs up") with "love" (Greek: *agape*) which edifies or strengthens the community ("builds up").
True knowledge is incomplete; recognizing limitations is a sign of wisdom (1 Cor 8:2). Compare with Socrates' "I know that I know nothing."
The ultimate validation isn't possessing knowledge, but being known *by* God, which is linked to loving God (1 Cor 8:3). This shifts the focus from intellectual status to relational standing.
This section introduces the core tension of the chapter: the potential conflict between exercising Christian liberty based on knowledge and the call to act in love toward fellow believers.
The concept of being "known by God" implies a deep, personal relationship and divine approval, far more significant than human intellectual achievement.

One God, Many "gods"

⁴ With regard then to eating food sacrificed to idols, we know that "an idol in this world is nothing," and that "there is no God but one."⁵ If after all there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as 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 live, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we live.

Paul affirms the theological correctness of the "knowledgeable" Corinthians: idols have no real existence or power (1 Cor 8:4). This echoes Old Testament prophetic critiques (e.g., Isaiah 44:9-20).
The statement "an idol is nothing" means it doesn't represent a real deity, though demonic forces might be associated with idolatry elsewhere (cf. 1 Cor 10:20).
Paul acknowledges the *existence* of many things *called* gods or lords in the Greco-Roman world (1 Cor 8:5), reflecting the polytheistic environment of Corinth.
Verse 6 contains a powerful, concise statement of early Christian monotheism, structured similarly to the Jewish *Shema* (Deuteronomy 6:4).
This verse distinguishes the roles within the Godhead: God the Father as the ultimate source and goal ("from whom... for whom"), and Jesus Christ the Lord as the agent of creation and redemption ("through whom... through whom").
This affirmation grounds Christian identity and practice: believers live *for* the Father *through* the Son.
Theologically, this passage asserts that while idols are ontologically nothing, the Christian understanding of the one true God provides the correct framework for evaluating practices related to them.
This creedal statement provides the *basis* for Christian freedom regarding idol meat but, as Paul will show, is not the *only* factor in deciding behavior.

Conscience and Christian Liberty

⁷ But this knowledge is not shared by all. And some, by being accustomed to idols in former times, eat this food as an idol sacrifice, and their conscience, because it is weak, is defiled.⁸ Now food will not bring us close to God. We are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do.⁹ But be careful that this liberty of yours does not become a hindrance to the weak.¹⁰ For if someone weak sees you who possess knowledge dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience be "strengthened" to eat food offered to idols?¹¹ So by your knowledge the weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed.¹² If you sin against your brothers or sisters in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

Paul pivots from theological correctness (v. 4-6) to pastoral concern: not everyone possesses or operates confidently with this "knowledge" (1 Cor 8:7).
Some believers, likely recent converts from paganism, still associated such food with idol worship due to past habits.
A "weak conscience" refers to a conscience not yet fully informed by theological truth, leading to feelings of guilt over actions that are permissible in themselves. Eating becomes "defiled" for them because they *believe* it's wrong.
Paul clarifies that food itself is morally neutral regarding one's standing with God (1 Cor 8:8), reinforcing the principle of Christian liberty.
The crucial principle emerges: exercising one's "right" (Greek: *exousia*, freedom or authority) must be tempered by concern for its effect on others (1 Cor 8:9).
A "stumbling block" (Greek: *proskomma*) is an obstacle that causes someone else to fall into sin or spiritual harm.
Dining in an idol's temple (a common social practice, not necessarily worship) could embolden a "weak" believer to violate their own conscience, thinking the action is acceptable despite their inner misgivings (1 Cor 8:10).
Violating one's conscience, even over a neutral matter, is spiritually damaging ("destroyed," 1 Cor 8:11). Paul uses strong language to emphasize the seriousness.
The value of the "weak" believer is underscored by the fact that "Christ died" for them (1 Cor 8:11). This elevates the importance of protecting their conscience.
Harming a fellow believer's conscience is not merely an offense against them but a sin directly "against Christ" (1 Cor 8:12), highlighting the unity of Christ with His body, the Church.

Paul's Commitment to Avoid Offense

¹³ For this reason, if food causes my brother or sister to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I may not cause one of them to sin.

Paul concludes the chapter with a personal resolution, modeling the principle he has just taught.
He uses hyperbole ("never eat meat again") to emphasize the strength of his commitment to prioritizing love over liberty.
The determining factor for Paul's behavior is not his own knowledge or rights, but the potential impact on a fellow believer ("my brother or sister").
"Causes... to sin" (Greek: *skandalizo*) refers to causing someone to stumble or fall away from faith or into sin against their conscience.
This verse serves as a powerful practical application of the principle that love limits liberty for the sake of the community.
Paul's stance demonstrates that mature Christian freedom is not about maximizing personal rights but about willingly restricting them for the spiritual well-being of others.
This principle has broad application beyond food sacrificed to idols, extending to any area where personal freedom might negatively impact another believer's faith or conscience.
It sets the stage for further discussion on Christian liberty and responsibility in chapters 9 and 10.

The Bullet Point Bible

1 Corinthians 8