1 Corinthians 第 8
KJV — King James Version · 13 節
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Spiritual Insight
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. You can be right about something and still be wrong in how you handle it. Love is always the better guide than knowledge alone.
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
Spiritual Insight
If you think you know something, you don't yet know as you ought. Real knowledge comes with humility. The more you truly understand, the more you realize how little you know.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Spiritual Insight
But if you love God, you are known by Him. Being known matters more than knowing. Relationship trumps information every time.
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
Spiritual Insight
An idol is nothing — there's only one God. The theological point is simple. But Paul will show that applying it requires more than just being right.
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
Spiritual Insight
There are many so-called gods and lords in the world. Paul acknowledges the reality of religious diversity without granting it validity.
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Spiritual Insight
For us, there is one God the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ. Everything comes from Him and through Him. That's the whole picture in one verse.
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
Spiritual Insight
Not everyone has this knowledge. Some believers still feel the old pull of idolatry, and their weak conscience gets polluted. Being right is irrelevant if your brother is harmed.
But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
Spiritual Insight
Food doesn't commend you to God — eating or not eating makes you neither better nor worse. Some debates just don't matter as much as we think they do.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Spiritual Insight
Be careful that your freedom doesn't become a stumbling block. Liberty without love is dangerous. Your rights end where your brother's weakness begins.
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
Spiritual Insight
If a weak believer sees you eating in an idol's temple, their conscience might be emboldened to do something they believe is wrong. Your example carries weight you may not realize.
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
Spiritual Insight
Through your knowledge, a weak brother could perish — the very one Christ died for. Your theological correctness means nothing if it destroys someone Christ loves.
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Spiritual Insight
Sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience is sinning against Christ Himself. How you treat the vulnerable is how you treat Jesus.
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Spiritual Insight
If eating meat causes my brother to stumble, I'll never eat meat again. That's the radical length of love — willing to surrender your rights for someone else's sake.