1 Corinthians 8:4-13

CORINTHIANS Correction With Confidence Because The Faithfulness Of God Toward His Saints!1 Corinthians 8:1–13 (ESV) — 1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possessknowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. 4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

CONTEXT: TO BE KNOWN BY GOD IS THE KNOWLEDGE THAT MATTERS & BEARS FRUIT IN LOVE. (v1-3)John 13:34–35, Ephesians 1:15, Colossians 1:4, Galatians 5:13, Philemon 4–7Hebrews 6:9–12 (ESV) — 9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

WHAT WE ALL NEED TO KNOW! (v4-6) Idols have no real existence there is only one God.Jeremiah 10:11–15 (ESV) — 11 Thus shall you say to them: “The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.” 12 It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. 13 When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses. 14 Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them. 15 They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish.

WHAT THE WEAK HAVE KNOWN, HINDERS WHAT THEY KNOW (V7)a. Because former association the conscience is weaki. How the conscience works – Romans 2:14-16ii. How the conscience is cleansed – Hebrews 9:13-14, 10:19-24b. Can be defiledi. how the conscience is defiled - Romans 14:23

TAKE CARE WITH WHAT YOU KNOW YOU CAN DO (V8-13)a. Comfort for the weak and correction for the maturea. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.b. Take care your right doesn’t ________ the weaker brother

a. Stumble –snares them, makes occasion for sin.

b. Embolden – encouraged or built up (to go against their conscience)

c. Destroy – teardown, ruin

d. Wound –injure, weaken by striking (their conscience)