1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Note: this topic is already preached. You may wish to listen to it instead of reading.
The context as you well know is Apostle Paul speaking to the Saints of the Church of Corinth addressing many problems that this church has. The problems of this church include division which is as a result of them being divided on the line of the preachers. It’s a church where some are saying “I am for Paul” while others are saying “I am for Apollos” and others claim to be for Christ and others for Peter.
Besides the problems of Division which came about because of the preachers they deemed best, they are also divided because of the gifts they have.
Read the scripture below….
1Corinthians 4 KJV.
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? (speaking of the gifts that they received) now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
God had given gifts over to this church. When we talk about God giving gifts over to a church, we mean that people were given the ability to do things in the will of God. If you understand what I am talking about, a good example of a gift is speaking with new tongues and prophesying. The book of Ephesians clearly shows that God gave unto some to be Apostles others prophets and those gifts were given for the purpose of the unity of the body of Christ.
Unto the church of Corinth, the gifts were not helping them in the way that God wanted but rather got them divided in the sense that one would consider himself better than the other and therefore proud.
In first Corinthians chapter 4, apostle Paul therefore asks them why they are proud of something that they just received and cannot claim ownership. In the light of the the bible, we know that a gift is not something that you earn. A gift is something that is given unto you freely. Take for example; we always like talking about the gift of Salvation. Why do we refer to it as a gift? because it’s something that we were given freely even when we did not deserve it. We deserved to go to hell because of our sins.
Note: You may wish to understand how salvation is a free gift? Watch the below video.
In chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians, the bible reads….
1Corinthians 8 KJV.
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
It’s very clear that besides having different gifts in this church, the also had the gift of knowledge on matters things offered unto idols.
What did they understand concerning things offered unto Idols?
1Corinthians 8 KJV.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
Whatever makes the Corinthians to consider themselves as people with knowledge concerning things offered unto idols is because of the foundational doctrine that every new believer receives concerning idols. The foundational doctrine teaches that things offered to idols should not be eaten.
Scripture reading…
Acts 15 KJV.
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
Keep note:
Those who had knowledge that gods are nothing and food does not commend anyone to God had graduated from the foundational doctrine to a deeper understanding .
Problem is that They did not know how to handle themselves having such a gift of knowledge.
- It’s very suicidal if you are gifted in anyway including having knowledge and you know not how to handle yourself.
- You will end up being unprofitable.
2Peter 1 KJV.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance.
The word temperance simply means self-control or if you like discipline. In the secular world we like saying; “you can be gifted or talented but if you don’t have character you will not stay in the area of your influence”. Bible says unto knowledge, temperance must be added.
The Church of Corinth had knowledge concerning things offered unto idols. But it’s without doubt that temperance is what they lacked. Most of us Believers need temperance in the areas of our gifting. Without temperance, you will find yourself doing things in extreme even hurting others. We need some kind of a discipline to know when and where to exercise our gifts.
Because the brethren in the church of Corinth lacked temperance, trouble is that pride is what became the product of their knowledge. Apostle Paul says…”Knowledge puffeth up”. It’s these same pride that is causing them to glory in themselves being divided because of the gifts they have.
1Corinthians 8 KJV.
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Once pride becomes the product of your knowledge Charity dies a natural death. And this applies to all gifts.
1Corinthians 13 KJV.
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up (pride is the product of the knowledge we see in the Corinthian church), 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own (you will later see that , is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
The symptoms of a church with divers gifts including knowledge but lacks charity includes;
- no Patience.
- no Kindness.
- full blown on envy.
- full blown on boastings and bragging.
- full blown on pride.
- full blown on behaving inappropriately.
- full blown on selfishness.
- easily provoked.
- always thinking of evil.
- rejoiceith in iniquity…etc.
My beloved reader, the church of Corinth had knowledge on matters things sacrificed unto idols; but because of lack of charity, such knowledge was out to harm others.
Scripture reading….
1 Corinthians 8 KJV.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
As much some of the saints had knowledge concerning things sacrificed unto idols and that it matters nothing because the gods are nothing, there were some who did not have the same knowledge and every time they eat things sacrificed unto idols; their conscience is defiled because they believe that the gods are something.
Now; seeing that there are those who did not have Knowledge with regards to gods and things sacrificed unto them; how were those with knowledge supposed to behave towards those with no knowledge?
Scripture reading….
1 Corinthians 8 KJV.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; (are you not going to encourage that person who is weak in faith to be bold enough in eating things sacrificed unto idols and therefore his conscience defiled more?). 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend (to transgress), I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Your liberty and knowledge should be salted with charity; failure to which you will end up being a stumbling block to those who are weak in faith whereby instead of you being the reason for them to emulate and do righteousness, they will be given unto doing more wickedness.
Scripture reading…
Galatians 5 KJV.
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Matthew 5 KJV.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
In conclusion:
The church of Corinth is guilty of:
- Eating food sacrificed to idols.
- Using their knowledge and liberty in causing those with a weak faith to transgress even more.
- Their knowledge got them sinning against Christ.
Lessons on our part:
- If in our knowledge and other giftings we are without charity, We only end up proud and therefore unprofitable to the body of Christ.
- Our liberty in Christ should be of benefit to the saints in a positive way and not encouraging those who are weak amongst us to sin against Christ because of our influence.
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