Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Tearing Down or Building Up
Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9

This passage looks at the issue of participation in cultic meals. Some believers had insisted that they were free to participate in these meals and saw nothing wrong in them.

The church believed incorrectly that their conduct could be based on what they ‘knew’. The knowledge they had gave them the right and freedom to act as they wished.

Paul, however, insisted that ‘knowledge’ is the wrong basis for determining Christian behaviour. Knowledge often fills us with pride (here, the 'knowledge' that the idols are harmless). Knowledge is also often used to bully other people. Knowledge is not irrelevant or unimportant, but it cannot be an end in itself. Paul argues that their ‘knowledge’ is ultimately imperfect and incomplete.

While Paul agrees with their ‘knowledge’ that the idols to which food is offered are nothing, he reminds the believers that these same idols may have a different ‘reality’ to other believers. Thus, their actions must take into consideration both their relationship with other believers and their own relationship to God.

Paul urges the believers to base their conduct not on ‘knowledge’ but on love. The approach is not an insistence on one’s own right and freedom, but rather the giving up of the very same right and freedom so as not to cause others to stumble in their faith.

Before you start to argue, pause to think as to how you can, in love, do the right things.

Pray that we will not let the knowledge we acquire fill us with pride, but instead that what we learn will change our lives to be more Christlike.