27 May - 1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 8 is what we’re reading today. There’s really only one topic in this chapter. So let’s talk about it:

1. In this chapter Paul is helping his readers with the issue of food sacrificed to idols. We kind of talked about this in Romans 14 but that was a broader subject of food in general. In this chapter Paul is specifically addressing the argument over if the people should eat food sacrificed to idols. Some people saw this as an act of worship to the idols. Paul informs them that there’s nothing to worship in the idol, it’s just a manmade image.
2. Paul goes back to the teaching in Romans 14 for his answer. He said if it would offend someone else then they shouldn’t do it. Paul goes so far as to say he would never eat meat again if he thought it would help someone. Paul’s primary point is that we have freedom in Jesus but we should not exercise our freedom in such a way that would hurt others’ relationship with God.

The argument about whether we should eat meat sacrificed to idols probably isn’t one that applies to many of us today but the conclusion still does. Just because Jesus has given us freedom to live in doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care about others around us. We need to consider how our actions could negatively impact or influence someone else.