I Corinthians 8

I Corinthians 8:1-3

  • Paul starts by talking about love. Compare Romans 14:15. Love should be the guiding force behind our behavior.

I Corinthians 8:4-6

  • Pagan sacrifices at that time often resulted in a good amount of leftover meat that was still fit for consumption. Paul points out that these idols were nothing, so it was not inherently sinful to eat the meat.

I Corinthians 8:7-9

  • See I Corinthians 12:2; I Thessalonians 1:9.
  • Regarding conscience, see Acts 23:1; 26:9. Paul did wrong with a clean conscience. Paul had a strong conscience at the time, but was weak in knowledge.
  • I Corinthians 8:8 – See I Corinthians 10:25; 7:19. The meat was not an issue of sin, just like circumcision under the New Covenant.

I Corinthians 8:10-12

  • I Corinthians 10:10 – See I Corinthians 10:19. The meat is fine, but avoid idol worship.
  • I Corinthians 10:12 – See Romans 14:14. If you think you are sinning in your heart, you are!

I Corinthians 8:13

  • It’s better to forego liberties than to cause a brother to stumble.
  • Love is the common theme throughout this book.