Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.

1) Why does Paul start off with “Now concerning…”
By taking a look back up at chapter 7:1, we see that Paul is specifically answering questions that had been addressed to him by the church in Corinth. The letter of 1 Corinthians focuses on how to practically live the gospel centered life in the middle of the everyday mess of humanity. Marriage, sexuality, church conflict, and here, food offered to idols.

2) What’s the big deal with “food offered to idols”?
In the Old Testament, God set up laws for His chosen people so that they would intentionally look very different than the nations around them. They had rules for everything, not because rules saved them, but because God wanted the world to know that this nation was His own possession. They were called to act and live differently because Yahweh was their intimate God. During the establishment of the Church, the old laws were abolished because freedom from the law had come through Jesus Christ, but generations of Jews had unwaveringly obeyed these laws and throwing them all out the window was an incredibly difficult jump to make.

3) What is the “knowledge we all possess”?
The knowledge Paul is referring to is that fact that whether they ate food offered to idols or not, it really didn’t matter because there is only one true God and idols are meaningless. The fullness of God is bigger and better than a rule that dictates whether you can eat something or not. (see verses 4-6)

4) What is Paul calling us to do when he differentiates between love and knowledge?
The knowledge that they were free to eat sacrificed food, didn’t mean they could walk around in arrogance to those brothers and sisters who were still convinced that they didn’t actually have that freedom. Knowledge says, “I’m free”. Love says, “For your sake, I give up my freedom.” Paul wanted the church to get out of the weeds of argument and see the bigger picture that Christ had called them to unity with one another. If eating sacrificed food made another brother or sister uncomfortable and doubt God, it wasn’t worth it. The goal was love, not freedom to do as they pleased.

1) Why does Paul start off with “Now concerning…”
The Corinthians had major issues going on in their church, but they still chose to lean in, seek wisdom, and persevere. They were teachable. Even more foundational than loving like Jesus is knowing how Jesus loved. How has Christ designed us to live out our faith? What does loving others look like in the middle of my mess? Am I willing to seek wisdom and find out?

2) What’s the big deal with “food offered to idols”?
For the early New Testament church, they were trying hard to understand what freedom in Christ looked like. In the 21^st century, it’s still something we struggle with. It’s probably not “food offered to idols”, but maybe it’s what movie ratings are okay for Christians, is drinking ever acceptable, are leggings okay for Christian women to wear, what stores are ok to shop at and which aren’t, is going to the casino okay, and the list goes on.

3) What is the “knowledge we all possess”?
We have the knowledge that “there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.” We are governed by God’s Spirit inside of us and by wisely applying the principles found in Scripture to the best of our ability. It’s not a “blank check” to sin and do as we please, but it does free us from constantly fearing that we are living in sin over things that really don’t matter to the centrality of the gospel.

4) What is Paul calling us to do when he differentiates between love and knowledge?
As Christ-followers, we all have convictions about different things. There are very few direct black and white issues that are specifically addressed in the Bible when it comes to sin and not sin. Rather, God has given us wisdom, sound biblical principles, and the Holy Spirit as our teacher. If you feel strongly convicted about an area that another fellow believer doesn’t, it’s wise to remember Paul’s big picture focus of unity. The goal is to build each other up in love, not simply puff ourselves up with pious knowledge.

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