1 Corinthians 8:1-3

New International Version

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.

For Meditation

We Christians have a problem dealing with the issues of life that fall in the grey areas of our faith. What do we do with situations that do not have direct instructions from the Bible, and how do we relate to each other in the expressions of ourselves in those areas?

The church in Corinth had such a problem and struggled to deal with it. It was a question of whether or not to eat sacrificed meat bought from the market. Prior to their conversion, they had no problem enjoying their delicacy. But now, they had believed in Jesus, so how could they continue to eat such meat? Weren’t they following the idolatrous practices of their non-believing citizens?

Those who refrained condemned the brethren who ate. Those who indulged felt guilty, and those who accused them felt spiritually superior. That was tearing the church apart. So, what did Paul think?

Prior to addressing the issue, Paul touched on knowledge and love. What we know drives our actions, which are helpful only when we express ourselves with love. He knew the issue was more about the level of knowledge each had and what they did with it than the sin of the practice. He also knew the problem went beyond eating sacrificed meat. It touched on other grey areas in their faith, which needed enlightenment to direct their Christian thought.

The first thing Paul raised before them was the negative aspect of knowledge. Everybody knows something, but what we know has a way of puffing us up (1 Corinthians 8:1). We feel significant and snorty when we convince ourselves that we know everything about a subject. But no one knows it all. We delude ourselves by thinking we have all the answers. God is the only All-knowing being, and He gives us the knowledge needed to bless and use to accomplish His purpose. That calls for humility.

Knowledge itself does not edify anybody. People benefit when we lovingly express what we know. The person who loves God would love others. They will use their God-given knowledge in humility to bless instead of looking down on them. They are not self-conceited but will consider the interest of others above themselves (Philippians 2:3-4).

Are you struggling with similar contestable issues as drinking, tongue speaking, the mode of baptism, and others in the grey areas of our faith? You will help yourself and others by stepping off your high horse in discussions with others on those issues.

Let us use the proportion of our knowledge in love and humbly consider the level of the faith of others in the spirit of Christian unity. We foster Christian unity and love this way rather than condemning each other.