I Corinthians 8
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Commentaries
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As touching things offered unto idols - This was another subject on which the Corinthians had asked the apostle's advice, and we shall understand the whole of this chapter the better when we consider one fact, viz. That there had long subsisted a controversy between the Karaites and the Traditionists, how far it was lawful to derive any benefit or advantage from things used by the Gentiles. The Karaites were a sect of the Jews who scrupulously held to the letter of the sacred writings, taking this alone for their directory. The Traditionists were those who followed the voice of the elders, interpreting the Divine testimonies by their decisions. From a work of the Karaites, entitled Addereth Eliyahu, Triglandus has extracted the following decisions, which will throw light upon this subject. "It is unlawful to receive any benefit from any kind of heathen worship, or from any thing that has been offered to an idol." - "It is unlawful to buy or sell an idol, and if, by accident, any such thing shall come into thy power, thou shalt derive no emolument from it." - "The animals that are destined and prepared for the worship of idols are universally prohibited; and particularly those which bear the mark of the idol. This should be maintained against the opinion of the Traditionists, who think they may lawfully use these kinds of animals, provided they be not marked with the sign of the idol." Thus far the Karaites; and here we see one strong point of difference between these two sects. The Karaites totally objected to every thing used in idolatrous services: the Traditionists, as the Talmud shows, did generally the same; but it appears that they scrupled not to use any animal employed in idolatrous worship, provided they did not see the sign of the idol on it. Now the sign of t…
Open source ↗ON PARTAKING OF MEATS OFFERED TO IDOLS. (Co1 8:1-13) Though to those knowing that an idol has no existence, the question of eating meats offered to idols (referred to in the letter of the Corinthians, compare Co1 7:1) might seem unimportant, it is not so with some, and the infirmities of such should be respected. The portions of the victims not offered on the altars belonged partly to the priests, partly to the offerers; and were eaten at feasts in the temples and in private houses and were often sold in the markets; so that Christians were constantly exposed to the temptation of receiving them, which was forbidden (Num 25:2; Psa 106:28). The apostles forbade it in their decree issued from Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-29; Act 21:25); but Paul does not allude here to that decree, as he rests his precepts rather on his own independent apostolic authority. we know that we all have knowledge--The Corinthians doubtless had referred to their "knowledge" (namely, of the indifference of meats, as in themselves having no sanctity or pollution). Paul replies, "We are aware that we all have [speaking generally, and so far as Christian theory goes; for in Co1 8:7 he speaks of some who practically have not] this knowledge." Knowledge puffeth up--when without "love." Here a parenthesis begins; and the main subject is resumed in the same words, Co1 8:4. "As concerning [touching] therefore the eating," &c. "Puffing up" is to please self. "Edifying" is to please one's neighbor; Knowledge only says, All things are lawful for me; Love adds, But all things do not edify [BENGEL], (Co1 10:23; Rom 14:15). edifieth--tends to build up the spiritual temple (Co1 3:9; Co1 6:19).
Open source ↗Now as touching things offered unto idols,.... This was another of the things the Corinthians wrote to the apostle about, desiring to have his judgment in; it was a controversy that had been before moved, whether it was lawful to eat things that had been sacrificed to idols. This was considered in the council at Jerusalem, Act 15:28 and it was agreed to, for the peace of the churches, that the Gentiles, among other things, be advised to abstain from them; which, it seems, the church at Corinth knew nothing of, for the controversy was now moved among them: some that were weak in the faith, and had not, at least, clear notions of Gospel liberty, thought it very criminal and sinful to eat them; others that had, or boasted they had, more knowledge, would not only eat them privately at home, having bought them of the Heathen priests, or in the common meat markets, where they were exposed to sale, and at public feasts, to which they were invited by their friends; but would even go into an idol's temple, and sit and eat them there, to the great grief and prejudice of weak Christians; and what they had to plead in their own defence was their knowledge, to which the apostle here replies: we know that we all have knowledge; said either affirmatively and seriously; and the meaning is, that the apostles and other Christians knew, and were conscious to themselves of their light and knowledge, and were assured, and might affirm with confidence, that they all, or the most part, only some few excepted, see Co1 8:7 had the same knowledge of Christian liberty as they had; knew that an idol was nothing, and that eating meats offered to them could not defile, or do them any hurt; for they were very sensible there was nothing common or unclean of itself, and yet did not think fit to make us…
Open source ↗The apostle comes here to the case of things that had been offered to idols, concerning which some of them sought satisfaction: a case that frequently occurred in that age of Christianity, when the church of Christ was among the heathen, and the Israel of God must live among the Canaanites. For the better understanding of it, it must be observed that it was a custom among the heathens to make feasts on their sacrifices, and not only to eat themselves, but invite their friends to partake with them. These were usually kept in the temple, where the sacrifice was offered (Co1 8:10), and, if any thing was left when the feast ended, it was usual to carry away a portion to their friends; what remained, after all, belonged to the priests, who sometimes sold it in the markets. See Co1 10:25. Nay, feasts, as Athenaeus informs us, were always accounted, among the heathen, sacred and religious things, so that they were wont to sacrifice before all their feasts; and it was accounted a very profane thing among them, athuta esthiein, to eat at their private tables any meat whereof they had not first sacrificed on such occasions. In this circumstance of things, while Christians lived among idolaters, had many relations and friends that were such, with whom they must keep up acquaintance and maintain good neighbourhood, and therefore have occasion to eat at their tables, what should they do if any thing that had been sacrificed should be set before them? What, if they should be invited to feast with them in their temples? It seems as if some of the Corinthians had imbibed an opinion that even this might be done, because they knew an idol was nothing in the world, Co1 8:4. The apostle seems to answer more directly to the case (ch. 10), and here to argue, upon supposition of their being r…
Open source ↗8:1–11:1 Paul now addresses the Corinthians’ question about food that has been offered to idols: Throughout the Greco-Roman world, there were temples and shrines dedicated to pagan gods. It was common for worshipers of those gods to offer animal sacrifices, and the excess meat was then sold in the market by pagan priests. The question inevitably arose as to whether Christians were free to eat such meat. Is meat taken from an animal that has been sacrificed to a pagan god inherently defiled? Paul makes no mention here of the prohibition made by the Jewish Christian leaders in Acts 15:20, 29 but emphasizes that one’s actions must be governed, above all, by loving consideration of others. After introducing the topic (1 Cor 8:1-13), he provides several illustrations of the principle of giving up one’s rights for the sake of others (9:1-27) and then gives his advice on three specific situations in which believers faced this issue. 8:1 “We all have knowledge” was apparently a common saying of the Corinthian Christians. The knowledge in question is religious knowledge, paraded by certain Christians who might have felt their superior understanding made them unaccountable to the opinions of others.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… εἰδωλόθυτον (eidōlóthyton, G1494) — an image-sacrifice, i.e. part of an idolatrous offering εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… γνῶσις (gnōsis, G1108) — knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge φυσιόω (physióō, G5448) — to inflate, i.e. (figuratively) make proud (haughty) ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast οἰκοδομέω (oikodoméō, G3618) — to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἴ τις (eí tis, G1536) — if any δοκέω (dokéō, G1380) — compare the base of G1166 (δεικνύω)) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing οὐδέπω (oudépō, G3764) — not even yet καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that δεῖ (deî, G1163) — also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἴ τις (eí tis, G1536) — if any ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly βρῶσις (brōsis, G1035) — (abstractly) eating (literally or figuratively); by extension (concretely) food… εἰδωλόθυτον (eidōlóthyton, G1494) — an image-sacrifice, i.e. part of an idolatrous offering εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because εἴδωλον (eídōlon, G1497) — an image (i.e. for worship); by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἕτερος (héteros, G2087) — (an-, the) other or different θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very εἰ μή (ei mḗ, G1508) — if not
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… εἴ περ (eí per, G1512) — if perhaps καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very εἴτε (eíte, G1535) — if too ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… ὥσπερ (hṓsper, G5618) — just as, i.e. exactly like πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful…
Open source ↗ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἡμεῖς (hēmeîs, G2249) — we (only used when emphatic) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
Open source ↗ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole γνῶσις (gnōsis, G1108) — knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object συνείδησις (syneídēsis, G4893) — co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness εἴδωλον (eídōlon, G1497) — an image (i.e. for worship); by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of… ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place) ἄρτι (árti, G737) — just now ἐσθίω (esthíō, G2068) — used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by G5315 (φάγω); to eat (usually… ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) εἰδωλόθυτον (eidōlóthyton, G1494) — an image-sacrifice, i.e. part of an idolatrous offering
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. βρῶμα (brōma, G1033) — food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden… παρίστημι (parístēmi, G3936) — to stand beside, i.e. (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend,… ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… οὔτε (oúte, G3777) — not too, i.e. neither or nor; by analogy, not even ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… φάγω (phágō, G5315) — to eat (literally or figuratively) περισσεύω (perisseúō, G4052) — to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also… ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless ὑστερέω (hysteréō, G5302) — to be later, i.e. (by implication) to be inferior; generally, to fall short (be deficient)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. βλέπω (blépō, G991) — to look at (literally or figuratively) μήπως (mḗpōs, G3381) — lest somehow -πώς (-pṓs, G4458) — an enclitic particle of indefiniteness of manner; somehow or anyhow; used only in… οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… πρόσκομμα (próskomma, G4348) — a stub, i.e. (figuratively) occasion of apostasy ἀσθενέω (asthenéō, G770) — to be feeble (in any sense)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… σέ (sé, G4571) — thee ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… γνῶσις (gnōsis, G1108) — knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge κατάκειμαι (katákeimai, G2621) — to lie down, i.e. (by implication) be sick; specially, to recline at a meal ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. εἰδωλεῖον (eidōleîon, G1493) — an image-fane οἰκοδομέω (oikodoméō, G3618) — to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm οὐχί (ouchí, G3780) — not indeed συνείδησις (syneídēsis, G4893) — co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… σός (sós, G4674) — thine γνῶσις (gnōsis, G1108) — knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge ἀπόλλυμι (apóllymi, G622) — to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively ἀσθενέω (asthenéō, G770) — to be feeble (in any sense) ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἀποθνήσκω (apothnḗskō, G599) — to die off (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἁμαρτάνω (hamartánō, G264) — properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err,… οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τύπτω (týptō, G5180) — to "thump", i.e. cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀσθενέω (asthenéō, G770) — to be feeble (in any sense) συνείδησις (syneídēsis, G4893) — co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗διόπερ (dióper, G1355) — on which very account εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. βρῶμα (brōma, G1033) — food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden… σκανδαλίζω (skandalízō, G4624) — to entrap, i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) φάγω (phágō, G5315) — to eat (literally or figuratively) οὐ μή (ou mḗ, G3364) — a double negative strengthening the denial; not at all κρέας (kréas, G2907) — (butcher's) meat εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… ἵνα μή (hína mḗ, G3363) — in order (or so) that not
Open source ↗Cross-references
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But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him.
So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one.
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.
You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods.
You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’