1 Corinthians 8:4-13
Summary for 1Cor 8:4-6: 8:4-6 a In reality, the idols to which such meat is sacrificed are not gods, for there is only one God (Deut 6:4 b; cp. Deut 4:35 c, 39 d; 10:19-20 e). He is the Creator of everything, including the meat in question. The only ultimate reality is God, the Father, and the one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created (cp. John 1:3 f; Col 1:16 g; Heb 1:2 h).8:7 i Many of the Corinthian believers, having grown up in the pagan world, viewed eating such meat as an expression of devotion to the god to whom the meat had been sacrificed. For such Christians, to eat meat presented to an idol would violate their weak consciences (see 8:10-12 j; 10:28-29 k; Rom 14:13-23 l).
8:8 m The Corinthians’ relationship with the living God was not affected by eating or not eating, whatever the source of the food (cp. Rom 14:17 n).
Summary for 1Cor 8:9-10: 8:9-10 o Believers must be careful that what they do (such as eating sacrificial meat) does not cause others ... to stumble (cp. Rom 14:13 p, 20-21 q; Gal 5:13 r).
8:11 s For believers to insist on eating food offered to idols—because their superior knowledge assured them that they are free to eat such food—could destroy less mature Christians (who understood eating this meat as an expression of worship of pagan gods).
• for whom Christ died: Cp. Rom 14:15 t.
8:12 u To make immature believers sin by violating their conscience is the same as sinning against Christ, who has claimed them for himself (cp. Matt 25:40 v, 45 w).
8:13 x Personal rights must be subordinated to the larger commitment not to cause another believer to stumble.
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