1 Corinthians 8 | Wisdom in Christian Living and Food Sacrificed to Idols

Today's focus is on 1 Corinthians 8, a chapter that emphasizes discernment. We're excited to discuss the wisdom found in this passage, particularly as it relates to the questions Paul addresses from the Corinthian church. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul discussed sex and marriage, and now he moves on to questions about food and participation in various activities.

Paul transitions from discussing sexual sins to addressing food offerings and idol worship, reflecting the diverse and practical concerns of the early Christians. This method of addressing specific questions feels very much like an open forum, similar to how modern Q&A sessions work, where listeners' queries guide the discussion.

1 Corinthians 8 is often misinterpreted or used to justify questionable actions. Paul’s guidance on discernment emphasizes that while idols aren't real, and eating meat sacrificed to them isn't inherently sinful, it's crucial to consider the impact on others. For Paul, the real issue is how our actions affect those with weaker faith. Engaging in activities that could mislead or cause others to stumble is a serious concern. Thus, understanding and applying this chapter well is vital for living a life that honors God and supports our fellow believers.

Paul's message is clear: while knowledge about idols and food is important, love and consideration for others take precedence. In Corinth, idolatry was pervasive, and animal sacrifices were common. Christians worried about unknowingly consuming meat offered to idols faced a dilemma: how to honor Christ in a context where idol worship was routine. Paul advises that while the meat itself isn't defiled, participating in idolatrous practices is problematic. The broader principle is to avoid actions that could mislead others or compromise their faith.

The key takeaway is to prioritize honoring Christ and exercising discernment. Paul’s emphasis on wisdom, love, and selflessness challenges us to reflect deeply on our actions and their implications. By living thoughtfully and lovingly, we can honor God and support our fellow believers, navigating complex situations with grace and integrity.

#BibleStudy #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #GodsWord #ScriptureReading #BiblicalWisdom #NewTestament #Corinthians #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndDiscernment 

Transcript

 1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 8

[00:00:00] Hey, everyone. Welcome to God's plan. Your part year two, where this year we're reading through and studying the entire new Testament one chapter at a time. Thanks again for joining us in discovering God's plan and your part in it. First Corinthians eight is about discernment. And I'm excited to jump into this conversation because I think there is some wisdom and discernment required in this chapter.

Uh, again, we're in this part of first Corinthians where Paul is addressing specific questions. From the Corinthian church. Uh, first Corinthians seven was about sex and marriage. First Corinthians eight seems to be based on a question that they asked about what foods they were able to eat. And I think maybe by extension, what things they were allowed to be involved in.

So this is a pretty short chapter. It is only how many verses, 13 verses, um, stick around for the reading, read it for yourself. You can tell that it's very pointed and very specific to a question that this Corinthian church. Asked Paul specifically. What a jump. We go, we [00:01:00] go right from sexual sin and what that looks like for believers right into food offerings and idol worship and all this nonsense.

I kind of like it because if. If like, say we had like an open forum where anybody, any, any of you guys listening, I'm just like putting their little questions in a bucket. And then if we said on the podcast, Hey, what do you want to hear us talk about on the podcast? We'll take questions from anyone. Like it would feel that way.

Okay. We'll answer this question. Okay. Now we'll answer this question. Actually, uh, Mike Winger, you guys have heard me talk about Mike Winger a couple times. I really like him. He's on YouTube. You should definitely check him out. But he does like weekly Q and A's. I think they're weekly. On a very often regular basis, he does these Q and A's and they're the same thing.

It's like, okay, we're talking about this. Then all of a sudden we're taking our crazy left turn. Now we're talking about this. And. This section of first Corinthians very much feels that way. I think there's a lot of, a lot of things in our own lives that not, it might not necessarily be like food that's been offered to idols for us anymore, but it [00:02:00] is discernment as to what does this, what does this show?

Like the whole idea is like, we're supposed to be this reflection, this image of who God is to the rest of the world. So what am I doing? That is representing God in this situation. Like, like what does discernment look like for me and my family? If we participate in this thing, I love that you're saying that because first Corinthians eight, like all of God's word is valuable to the original audience and continues to be valuable to us today.

And first Corinthians eight is one of those chapters that I feel like I have heard taught very poorly. Or heard, um, I've heard it used in a way to support like clearly bad decisions and bad actions. And so I think it is important to talk about this chapter, um, because there is a lot of discernment being involved here.

Um, and it's important for us to unpack it well and apply it well to the world. today. So the, the, the problem at [00:03:00] hand is that apparently they had asked a question about what they're allowed to eat. That's kind of big picture. And the problem in Corinth is that idolatry was such a huge part of their culture.

Uh, one of the things you do when you're worshiping idols, at least in Corinth, is you sacrifice animals to these false gods. Well, our study Bible also says specific. parts of them, whereas the rest of whatever the animal was could be given away as food or sold as food. That's exactly it. So they would sacrifice an animal and part of that animal, and I'm just making this up, say like the left shoulder is used as a sacrifice.

Back to the sacrifices of the Old Testament, they used certain parts of the, the, the heart or the, whatever it was, I don't remember, but like the entrails or whatever the piece The case, they use specific parts for certain offerings. So in the Corinthian context, those pieces would have been burned up to honor the idols or sacrificed in whatever way to honor the idols.

And the rest of the animal would be sold in the [00:04:00] marketplace. So if you went to the, this is air quotes, um, which, which is actually in, there's some air quotes in, uh, first Corinthians eight. Um, if you go to the Corinthian grocery store air quotes. It would have been impossible to know what had been sacrificed to idols and what had not because so much of the animals that were getting killed were sacrificed to these idols and then sold for meat.

So the Christians were like, Hey, we believe there's only one God. That probably means in our context, we just plain can't eat meat unless we go out and like catch it and kill it ourselves, which is totally out of the question in Corinth. So it was a very real problem. problem for them, and it comes from a heart of wanting to honor Christ.

Like, Hey, we're supposed to honor Christ. Does that mean we're like vegans from now on? And I think Paul has a really interesting answer. I think it's like, Hey, like maybe the best choice is to just be a vegan, but also idols don't even exist. They're not real. And so, because we know that these gods are not actually real gods, like you might as well just eat, um, as long as you know that you're living to honor Christ.

It does say in [00:05:00] verse five and six, For although there may be so called gods in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, those are in quotes, yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom all things are, excuse me, from whom all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things and through whom we exist.

So essentially he's saying, like, these gods that they create or make up, They wouldn't even exist without God, our God, who is real. So, I think his point being is don't worry about this, the food that you're buying in the marketplace, don't get super hung up over it because all their stuff that they're doing, it's all fake anyway.

It's ridiculous. Right. But! If you are around a weaker brother who doesn't understand all this stuff, not because they're weaker, like in value, but because they actually just don't understand what it means to be a Christian that much yet, you should abstain from it [00:06:00] because you don't want to offend them and mislead them and use your freedom against them.

This is a case that he's already made, uh, previously, and here he's applying it to this food sacrifice to idle situation. And there is something to be said. He, cause in these verses, he's essentially saying that eating meat is not a problem. Right. It's not wrong to do this. Thank you, Jesus. However, yeah, for real, um, but there were instances where perhaps maybe some of these animals were being offered, but then there's like these, I don't know, like festivals.

What did they call it? Festivals, religious events. Yep. Festivals where after those things were sacrificed. The meat from that, the leftover, that might have been a part of that religious event. If you sit down as a part of that religious event, that in turn is idolatry. And I think about that often. What example did you give earlier?

You said if we were a part of some certain event, just to be a presence. That can [00:07:00] definitely turn people and be like, wait, what are you, what are you doing? I thought we were kind of on the same page. So this is where I can throw in on some contemporary context. And this is where I get wound up about using this chapter incorrectly.

Um, I think a hot topic right now, it kind of ebbs and flows. It was a really hot topic a couple of weeks ago. Um, is how do Christians handle. same sex weddings. Like, should a Christian attend a same sex wedding? And if you follow Christian pop culture, I hate that that's even a thing. Um, but there was, there was like a pretty, um, prominent leader.

I think it was Alistair Begg. I think it was Alistair Begg. Uh, Alistair Begg said, yes, you should go to the wedding and yes, you should buy a present. And that made a lot of people upset. Cause it's like, what are Christians doing at a wedding? Same sex weddings. We don't believe in same sex partnerships. We shouldn't be supporting it at weddings.

And it kind of kicks off like this huge debate that essentially is like, can we be a part of something that is against God, or should we avoid things that are against God, which. Is pretty much what's going on here in first Corinthians eight. Does that feel fair [00:08:00] to you? I'm just asking you in live time. I think it does.

I definitely think it feels fair. So a lot of times the case that is made is that, Hey, like Paul said, it doesn't matter if you eat meat sacrifice to idols because they're not idols aren't real. And it doesn't matter if somebody sees you at a festival because you're trying to honor Christ. And I think the key piece of all of these contemporary conversations is how are you going to honor Christ?

Like, what are you going to do to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ? And one of the things I see is people using 1 Corinthians 8 to just get a pass to just go to stuff. And I don't think we should use it that way. Yeah. So it's like, like, we actually had a conversation about this in my office, uh, where a coworker was like, Hey, what do you think about this whole Christian going to same sex partnership weddings?

One, I've never experienced that myself. Like I've never been invited to a wedding like that. I can't really say with authority what I would do. Um, but what I would say is if you're going to make the case that Christians should be involved in that kind of stuff, you're You [00:09:00] have to somehow be honoring Christ with that decision.

Like if you're just afraid of being looked at funny or being seen as not accepting, that's not a reason to go to something. But if you're going to go to something and honor Christ with your presence there, if you're going to have conversations about who Jesus is, that's If you're going to enter into relationships with people who believe something different and actually, honestly, with integrity, try to lead them to relationship with Christ.

I don't see that as a bad thing, but a lot of times I see this is like a dishonest way of engaging with culture because a lot of times it's like, Hey, listen, You're not actually going to go to that same sex wedding and try to represent Christ there. Like you're just going to go hang out. Um, and, and there's obviously other kinds of situations like this.

Actually, uh, a big one when I was in Bible college is kind of weird, but when I was in a Bible college, um, like the hypothetical situation was like, well, what if I feel called to strip joints? Like, should I go there to witness to people that are obviously not dressed modestly? And the professor [00:10:00] was like, Very sharp and basically said, well, you know, I bet most men that say they're called to to witness and strip joints actually just want to be in those kinds of places and they're trying to use Christ as a, as a, what a permission to be there when in reality they just shouldn't be there.

But then the professor also said, Hey, I actually know a guy. That his ministry is in red light districts, and he's like, he has a thriving ministry because so many people are coming to Christ and like, he has accountability, he has a support structure, it's clear that he's not a creep, and he's trying to bring Christ into something that is clearly not godly.

So again, I would say, like in 1st Corinthians 7, Paul saying, the only thing that matters is serving Christ. I would say in 1st Corinthians 8, the same thing is present. The thing that matters is honoring Christ. You know, the idols aren't real. Go ahead and eat the meat. Right, so I think that that is, again, very helpful, because I've also thrown around those hypotheticals in my mind, like, what if I was in this situation?

What would I do? And I think it's been pretty, [00:11:00] we've actually had some friends that have dealt with situations like that. Yeah. And it's, I think, more of, more of a ministry to say, Hey, I care about you enough that I'm not going to do that because I don't believe in that. Um, so anyway, I think this chapter took us like a really interesting direction, but it is helpful because there are many people who are on very different levels of their faith.

And if I How, like if I make a decision that impacts someone else who maybe looks up to me as an individual, like still on my journey, like learning who God is and growing in him. And I make a decision that causes them to, to question or even stumble or fall to me is like, that is like, it's just not worth it just for the acceptance or just for the, I don't know, the feel betterness of someone else where.

My ultimate [00:12:00] responsibility is to be a representative of who God is and have a super discerning spirit to know that, hey, this isn't where I want to be to, like, represent that. I think, just to use the actual scripture to support what you're saying, verse 10. And I'll read a couple of verses for if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, uh, who has knowledge refers to people that are like a little bit stronger in their faith.

Yeah. Um, for if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged if his conscience is weak to eat food offered to idols. And so by your knowledge, this weak person is destroyed. That's really strong language. The brother for whom Christ died. Thus sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it's weak, you sin against Christ.

So Paul is actually using very strong language and saying, if you don't use. Sharp discernment in these situations, you will be guilty of sin against your brother and guilty of sin against Christ. So if you're eating [00:13:00] food, sacrifice to idols, just because you like ribs and you, you just think that the best tasting ribs are the ones that are sacrificed to Aphrodite or something that's sinful.

And if you are in community with people that are weaker believers that will see that and be like, Wait, he's supposed to be a strong Christian, and he's doing something that's sinful. You have sinned against your brother, and you have sinned against Christ. That's why discernment and wisdom is so important.

Put that into any perspective then, too. I think if you take the very last verse, verse 13, Therefore if, it says if food, if anything, put anything in that spot, therefore if blada blada. Like any type of sin. You can. You can put anything in there. Makes my brother stumble. I won't do that. Or like any type of, like, situation.

Like, we talked about that before with alcohol. I was just going to say alcohol. Yep. And I think in my own personal life, there have been certain people that I have kind of, that I have looked up to. And then when I hear certain things that they [00:14:00] say, or things that they say Just kind of seem like, I'm just going to do this because it seems like that's what's going to get me ahead or what's cool or what's popular.

It really, I don't know if it necessarily causes me to just like fall over and be like, well, I'm just going to do it too, but it more is just like, it's discouraging to me. It doesn't provide, like Paul says, it doesn't, it doesn't encourage me in my faith. It actually is. discouraging because it's like I looked, I kind of looked up to you and you were helping to disciple me in my understanding of God.

And now I feel like I'm taking a couple of steps back. And yeah, I, I don't want that for myself. I want to be a light. And like a shining influence of who God is in my life. And I don't want to put myself in positions where it causes people to think otherwise. Yeah. I, again, I opened up the episode saying this, I'll say it again.

I think this chapter requires incredible wisdom and discernment, especially when you're going to apply it to something in your actual life. And it [00:15:00] takes a lot of selflessness. I think it does because ultimately we're trying to serve Christ and we're trying to serve weaker brothers and sisters. I don't even like using the weaker, stronger language.

We're just trying to serve other believers and we want to do that really well. And there are times where we want to do things just because they're cool. Like definitely I deal with that. Like, man, I just want to use my Christian freedom to be able to do X, Y, and Z. I think of teaching my third graders back in the day, I would always say, you are the examples in the hallway.

Those kindergartners, they look up to you. And it's such a silly thing because they're children, but it's a real thing. Like, you don't walk through the hallway flinging your arms around and slapping every sign you go past because the little ones see you do it and then they're confused because they're being told by their teacher, we don't do that in the hallways.

So be the example to those who are coming up behind you. Um, not because they're lesser or anything like that, but it's because they're still learning as well. And the expectation is that they can learn from the ones who've been there, done that. So that, I, [00:16:00] I agree. Usually, usually I don't like to try to work out my thoughts, uh, live on the podcast, but I kind of did that some today.

Um, if you disagree with me, you are welcome to disagree with me. You can, uh, put that in the comments or you can just hide it secretly in your heart or you can, you can, you can, uh, reply to there's, there is actually this new feature on the podcast that in the show notes, the top line, you can actually send a text directly to us.

So that would be so cool. So if you have thoughts on this, uh, let us know, um, just your take on it. What you think about it, what you think about what we had to say about it. Um, again, so much wisdom and discernment is required here. And ultimately what we want to do is honor Christ and care well for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

And I think sometimes that looks different on a case by case basis, but you want to err on the side of honoring Christ. And it is so tempting to err on the side of. personal comfort or personal perception, or just looking cooler. Uh, and we want to avoid that as much as we can. So send us a message. You can, you can see it right there in the show [00:17:00] notes.

The top line is actually a link to text us. We can respond to that. If you message us, or you can reach out to us at God's plan, your part at gmail. com. We'd love to hear from you. Uh, we'll be back again tomorrow with first Corinthians nine. We'll see you then. Thanks for joining us for another episode of God's plan.

Your part. We wanted to remind you that reading God's word is so important and it will transform your life. If you want a copy of the Bible that we use here on the podcast, just go ahead and send us an email at godsplanyourpartatgmail. com. With that being said, here is the reading for today. First Corinthians chapter 8, now concerning food offered to idols.

We know that all of us possess knowledge. This knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. Therefore, as to eating a food offered to idols, we know that an idol has no real existence, and that there is no God [00:18:00] but One.

For although there may be so called gods in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods, in quotation marks, and many lords, in quotation marks, 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 all things, and through whom we exist.

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. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this rite of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, Temple will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so, by your knowledge, this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ [00:19:00] died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it's weak, you sin against Christ.

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of God's Plan, Your Part. Don't forget, you can find us on just about every social media platform and YouTube. Let us know what you thought of today's episode, and if you have any questions, go ahead and post them there.

You can also reach out to us directly at godsplanyourpart at gmail. com. As always, if you don't have a Bible, or if you'd like to use the one that we use, reach out to us via email and we'll be happy to send one to you. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you again tomorrow.