The Week in Review

Essay #4 – 1 Corinthians 8:7-13

Paul is speaking to the people regarding purchasing meats that had been used in the worshipping of idols. The heathens would make a feast of the sacrifices (the meat) they had offered and they would invite their friends to partake in this event. What was left belonged to the priest who sometimes sold the meat in the markets (1 Corinthians 10:25).

Paul first addresses that some have the understanding that no idol is above God, but this knowledge is not enough. Instead Paul is asking his audience to understand that love is where the decision process should begin and not simply from what one knows (or thinks they understand). Some understood that food sacrificed to idols would not stop them from having closeness with God. Paul reminds them that everyone does not understand this fact. Some were still accustomed to idols and when they ate such food their conscience was weak and they felt they were defiled.

Paul also states that if you eat food sacrificed to idols, you are no better than those that do not eat. Yet he gives a warning to those that feel free to do so. Paul warns to be careful as you exercise your freedoms. If one’s freedom causes another to stumble, then one is to rethink the freedom they exercise. If a brother or sister is weakened by the things one does, then Paul reminds them it is sin against Christ if they continue to do even that which they have the freedom to do.

Paul was talking about meat but it can also be applied to other areas of our lives in our day and time. The requirement Paul was setting before the people was to do things from the love of God and one another and not simply because of ones understanding on a matter. In verse 1, Paul says knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. When ones actions are based on the love for another, then one will be willing to give up the liberties for the sake of the others faith.

I have an example of this application for our times today. I teach Sunday school class for teenage girls. Several Church organizations were hosting events at a local Black Muslim restaurant. I refused to go and several people did not understand nor appreciate that I would not be involved. I had to explain to them I could not participate in good conscience. I knew I could eat the food and not be swayed to worship the religious beliefs, yet I knew that these young girls were looking at me as an example. If I would go to eat at this place, I could possibly be setting them up to be confused. They could have begun to feel that because I was eating at this place, I was giving my approval of everything about their way of life.

I later found out this was in fact the belief of some of my students. One of my students was confused about why the believers were going and thought it was okay to listen to the things they taught. I then took the student to this scripture and let them know that is why I refused to go, not because I could not, but I did not want to be the reason for anyone’s confusion or stumbling. I did not want to be the cause of another losing their place in God. I did not want to knowingly cause someone hardship. If one loves God then that is the place where one’s actions regarding others will come from. My love for my student’s welfare was more important that my freedom to go and eat.

Paul calls this behavior a sin against Christ. If we looked closer to our actions and realized that when we become what causes another to stumble, I believe we may look at our freedoms differently.