I Corinthians 8:2
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The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And--omitted in the oldest manuscripts The absence of the connecting particle gives an emphatical sententiousness to the style, suitable to the subject. The first step to knowledge is to know our own ignorance. Without love there is only the appearance of knowledge. knoweth--The oldest manuscripts read a Greek word implying personal experimental acquaintance, not merely knowledge of a fact, which the Greek of "we know" or are aware (Co1 8:1) means. as he ought to know--experimentally and in the way of "love."
Open source ↗The apostle, in this chapter, answers another case proposed to him by some of the Corinthians, about eating those things that had been sacrificed to idols. I. He hints at the occasion of this case, and gives a caution against too high an esteem of their knowledge (Co1 8:1-3). II. He asserts the vanity of idols, the unity of the Godhead, and the sole mediation of Christ between God and man (Co1 8:4-6). III. He tells them that upon supposition that it were lawful in itself to eat of things offered to idols (for that they themselves are nothing), yet regard must be had to the weakness of Christian brethren, and nothing done that would lay a stumbling block before them, and occasion their sin and destruction (Co1 8:7 to the end).
Open source ↗8:2-3 It is those who truly love God—not just those who know all the answers—who are acknowledged by God as his own (see 13:12; Gal 4:9).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.