November 21, 2006

• 1st Corinthians 8 - Liberty, or something else?

  This past Sunday our Sunday School lesson was 1st Corinthians 8.

  As usual, that chapter was used as a platform to launch into a discussion of Christian liberties. In short: “I can do what I want so long as it doesn’t offend my brother.”

  It dawned on me that I’ve always heard this chapter taught as if it’s Paul’s discourse on relating to weaker consciences. What if that was not Paul’s intention? It seems to me that an assumption regarding Paul’s motives could significantly color our conclusions as to what this chapter means.

  So, what was Paul really saying? Consider the following verses as background for Paul’s supposed position that eating meats offered to idols was/is ok:

  Acts 15 (KJV)
  20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

  Revelation 2 (KJV)
  12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
  13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
  14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
  15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
  16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
  17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
  18 ¶ And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
  19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
  20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
  21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
  22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
  23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
  24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

  It is impossible to read these passages and believe that Jesus approved of eating things sacrificed to idols, which is the subject under discussion in 1st Corinthians 8. Jesus makes it very clear in His accusations against the churches in Pergamos and Thyatira that He hates this idea, and lumps it in with things such as fornication.

  How then can we claim that Paul is teaching that it is ok to eat meats offered to idols? For him to teach that would clearly be a huge contradiction against the wishes of Jesus Christ. It would be a great irony for us to conclude that Paul is teaching us not to offend the consciences of weaker brethren, and in his process of doing that offend Jesus Christ by permitting eating meats offered to idols! What then is Paul saying?

  First, I note that we don’t know the context in which Paul is making this address. Verse 1 makes it appear as if he’s possibly writing a response to an inquiry or a dispute regarding eating things sacrificed to idols.

  1st Corinthians 8 (KJV)
  1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

  Isn’t that a strange way to start off a chapter? Why would he address the issue of knowledge versus charity? I speculate that Paul is responding to an issue he may have previously addressed to the group, and may have covered this ground from a scriptural and theological standpoint, but now readdresses the issue to those who still hold to the idea that eating meats offered to idols is ok. It looks to me like he addresses those who have reasoned that since they understand that an idol has no power – it is nothing but a piece of wood or rock – they can then eat what has been offered to it because the idol is meaningless.

  Because they won’t listen to scripture and theology, Paul essentially jumps to their side of the fence and uses their own logic to defeat their argument. You have knowledge? You know so much? Know this: if for no higher reason, in order to avoid offending your brother’s conscience (your brother whom you accuse of being “weak”) you need to abstain from eating things offered to idols. If you know so much, then understand that charity must be a part of your relationship with your brother – and be patient with him. And don't eat things offerred to idols.

  Paul is not trying to settle a difference between two opinions; rather, he is trying to persuade those who maintained eating pollutions of idols was ok that they need to stop doing that.

  This significantly changes the discussion of the chapter. This chapter is often used to strategically position oneself to permit things that are not expedient for the Christian, provided that it “doesn’t offend my brother”. The trick here is to make sure you’re part of a “brotherhood” who really don’t care what you do, so that you can have the best of both worlds, literally enjoying the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, and the pride of life – and still think that you will go to heaven and hear Jesus say on Judgment Day – “Well done, thou good and faithful servant – enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!”

  I think not.

  • 12:04 am
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