In 1 Cor 8.1-13 Paul continues to answer questions they have written or asked him about. This chapter tells us about things sacrificed to idols and it was agreed upon in Acts 15.1-29 that the non-Jewish God-fearers or “phobemenoi” would abstain from this. Paul is giving reasons why here.
v 1…Now concerning things sacrificed to idols (this was discussed and agreed upon in Acts 15.28 and the Jerusalem Messianic council that non-Jewish God-fearers were to abstain; these were minimal and basic standards at first in order to have table fellowship and Paul is going to give a deeper meaning now), we know that we all have knowledge (that an idol was nothing; they knew it). Knowledge (of clear doctrinal truth) makes arrogant, but love edifies (builds up your neighbor).
v 2…If any man supposes (thinks) that he knows anything, he has not known as he ought to know (a little knowledge is a recipe for disaster-he needs to consider his brother);
v 3…but if anyone loves God (in his actions), he is known by him (he will keep the commandments, and God knows him, and he will love his neighbor-Matt 7.21-23; 1 John 2.3-4).
v 4…Therefore (as a result) concerning eating things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol (do divinity in it) in the world, and that there is no God but one (the word “gods” can mean “powers” and there is only one power that takes precedence-Exo 20.1-2).
v 5…For even if there are so-called gods (powers) whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords (Egyptian, Greek, Roman gods and lords, etc).
v 6…yet for us there is one God (as opposed to polytheism) the Father (Yehovah), from whom are all things and we exist for him (as does the angels, demons, nature, the universe and everything in it), and one Lord Yeshua the Messiah, through whom are all things, and we exist through him (Acts 17.28).
v 7…However not all men have this knowledge (that there is one creator God called Yehovah); but some, being accustomed to the idol until now (even as a believer now, some still thought that there was something to an idol, and the food received from it had some benefit) eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol (as an idolatrous sacrifice); and their conscience being weak is defiled (did not have the knowledge Paul described above).
v 8…But food (any food) will not commend us to God (eating meat sacrificed to idols or not eating it does not bring us “near” or give us access to God, or cause him to be in gratitude to us); we are neither the worse (weak spiritually) if we do not eat, nor the better (strong spiritually) if we do eat (Paul is saying that the eating or not eating of meat or food is an aid to spiritual excellence).
v 9…But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow becomes a stumbling block to the weak (in understanding; don’t encourage something that another’s conscience is telling is wrong).
v 10…For if someone (a weak believer) sees you (a strong believer), who have knowledge (clear doctrinal truth) dining in an idol’s temple (using his liberty), will not his conscience, if he is weak (in understanding), be strengthened (induced) to eat things sacrificed to idols (we can’t use our liberty at all times and places, or under all circumstances, we need to have discretion)?
v 11…For through your knowledge he who is weak (in understanding) is ruined (their spiritual growth halts, thinking there was something unlawful in what he saw), the brother for whose sake Messiah died.
v 12…And this, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak (in understanding), you sin against the Messiah (we are in him and he died for this one, and we did not even respect his view).
v 13…Therefore (as a result), if food (offered to idols) causes my brother to stumble (disturbs their conscience and grieves their spirit), I will never eat meat (offered to idols, or any meat) again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble (be offended, shocked).
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