1 Corinthians 8
Plan for next 3 weeks:
1 Corinthians 10 Video for my birthday
James 2 Mike Casey
James 3 Andy Candreva
The subject of Christian liberty.
To have a multi-cultural, multi-generational church that spans all races, cultures, classes, and marital status, you must have a church that understands Christian liberty.
Imagine: Ex-Muslims, Ex-Hindus, Ex-Atheists, male and female, young and old, of all races and from all places, some married, many not, gathered together for worship.
Without a firm understanding of Christian liberty a church will become either (A) alike and peaceful, or (B) diverse and bitter.
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.
1 Now concerning food offered to idols:
This was a very current issue to the Corinthian church.
Meat was a rarity in their culture.
Any meat they did eat could have and likely did come from the pagan temples.
The Romans and Greeks sacrificed the less desirable portions and kept the rest.
Some went to the marketplaces, while some of it went to the priests.
The priests would host banquets with their leftovers (a modern day restaurant).
In light of this cultural norm the Corinthians had some questions.
May we buy meat?
May we eat meat at a friend’s home?
May we go to a banquet/restaurant to eat meat?
The subject of food offered to idols served as the backdrop for Paul’s discussion regarding Christian liberties, because it was a significant issue in Corinth.
Issues for us:
Television / Beer or wine / Work on Sundays / Body art / Musical preferences / Fashion / Politics / How we spend our money / Body art / Fashion / Environmentalism / MMA / Parenting styles / Jewish practices applied in Christianity / Easter eggs and Christmas trees / Video games / Singleness calling / Diets / Exercise
1 Knowledge / Love:
Knowledge: To have learned.
Some in the Corinthian church argued for separation from any meat possibly offered to idols. Their conscience was wounded by the idea of eating contaminated meat.
Ex. There were pagan and Jewish superstitions about demons and food.
Some in the Corinthian church argued, like Paul, that the idols were nothing. That knowledge led them to freedom in eating meat sacrificed to idols (nothing).
Paul agrees with them - we do have knowledge.
This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up: The basic principle — love is superior to and must accompany knowledge.
This is true in general.
Knowledge, without love, is completely useless.
This is true in particular.
A mere knowledge that idols were nothing led to an in-your-face style of liberty.
Knowledge mixed with love would cause believers to consider their less-free friends.
Infancy: I can’t do that!
Immaturity: I can, and I will, right in your face!
Maturity: I can, but there are times, for the sake of others, I won’t.
Love rules.
John 13:35 (ESV) — 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Ex. Our “rights” dominated society. In gray areas it is good for mature Christians to lay down their rights at the proper time.
Paul will explain the proper time.
2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
2 He does not yet know as he ought to know: With knowledge of God and his ways should come humility because we know so little of God and his ways.
3 If anyone loves God: How does this fit? What does this have to do with anything?
This is the answer - to love God.
Ex: If you love me you wouldn’t hurt my children.
When you love God you love His kids. The answer is to love God.
1 John 4:20–21 (ESV) — 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
4 And idol has no real existence / so-called gods / there is no God but one / one God, the Father:
Paul confirms that though people might believe in a plurality of gods, in truth there is only one God.
It is often thought that Nimrod (Genesis 10-11) introduced polytheism to the world, and that Abraham rediscovered monotheism (Genesis 12).
Early Christians became known as atheists.
Paul has cleared the air - only God is real, idols are just hunks of metal, wood, or stone. Idolatry is something, but an idol is nothing.
What is the implication in this text of the truth that there is only one true God?
Idols are nothing, so eating meat offered to idols is nothing (for us).
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
6 From whom are all things and for whom we exist: Father.
6 Through whom are all things and through whom we exist: Son.
From whom / Through whom: The Father is the source of all creation, and Jesus’ power brought creation into existence.
For whom / Through whom: Christians live for God, and have power to do so through the Son.
Trinitarian doctrine in the midst of a passage affirming the presence of only one God.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.
7 However: The Corinthians may have thought the argument was over at this point. Had they stopped reading, they would have thought they had full license and liberty to eat meat at any time. Here, Paul demonstrates the other side of the coin.
7 Conscience / Weak: Without the proper knowledge concerning idols, they were weak in conscience, and thus defiled when they ate.
Conclusion: Some could eat and not be in sin, while other would be in sin if they ate.
Romans 14:5 (ESV) — 5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
Romans 14:12 (ESV) — 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Listen to your conscience.
Romans 14:23 (ESV) — 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Don’t be forced into liberties you are uncomfortable with.
8 Just know that convictions in grey areas do not commend you to God. You are not made worse or better in his sight.
9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
9-11 Stumbling block:
To stumble is not to offend.
To stumble is to encourage them to do something contrary to their convictions, thereby destroying them.
To stumble them is to embolden them to violate their own conscience. Some people just don’t like certain behaviors, but they will never be stumbled to do any of them.
Nor is Paul saying we should mislead the weak in conscience, telling them they are correct.
Ex: Day of worship issue — Paul was clear.
10 He should only be encouraged if his conscience is no longer weak, but made strong by grace.
Three questions:
What does the Bible say?
What does my conscience say?
What does my brother need?
Again:
Infancy: I can’t do that!
Immaturity: I can, and I will, right in your face!
Maturity: I can, but there are times, for the sake of others, I won’t.
13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
13 If food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat: Love!
Paul never wanted to cause spiritual injury.
Some conclusions/applications:
1 Let us respect the honest convictions of other believers.
Television / Beer or wine / Work on Sundays / Body art / Musical preferences / Fashion / Politics / How we spend our money / Body art / Fashion / Environmentalism / MMA / Parenting styles / Jewish practices applied in Christianity / Easter eggs and Christmas trees / Video games / Singleness calling / Diets / Exercise
2 Grow in grace.
The weaker brother is not meant to remain in that state, but is meant to learn and grow.
3 Let your Christianity impact the inner, and not exclusively the outer, person.
4 Lay down your rights.
1 Corinthians 9
This chapter is a continuation of Paul’s teaching on rights and liberties in Christ.
Their mantra - “free in Christ!”
Paul’s message - deny yourself for your brother’s sake.
In other words, knowledge (of rights) puffs up, but love edifies (8:1).
1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
1 Am I not an apostle?: He will 10 questions in the first 7 verses and 18 in the first 18 verses (defense).
1 Am I not free?: Am I not free?: Like the Corinthians, Paul had liberties.
Paul had explained that he would lay down his right to meat (8:13).
Paul now shows them he had laid down his right to money (9:12).
1 Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?: A mark of apostleship.
When did Paul see Jesus?
He may have seen Jesus during His earthly ministry.
He encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).
He speaks of himself as an eyewitness - as by one born out of due time (1 Corinthians 15:8).
2 You are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord: This was Paul’s most valued proof.
He had pioneered the Corinthian church.
He had spent over 1 1/2 years there (Acts 18:11).
2 Corinthians 3:2 (ESV) — 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.
The Corinthians had forgotten Paul, a man they owed much to.
Paul is standing up for his role - He IS an apostle.
3 This is my defense [courtroom language] to those who would examine me [courtroom language]. 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?
3 Defense / Examine: Paul readies himself for a courtroom trial before the Corinthian believers.
4-6 He is going to make an 8-point argument that he had every right to eat and drink, take along a believing wife, and refrain from working for a living.
What were these rights?
Food — from the Corinthians.
Family — wife (and children).
Focus — leave secular work.
7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
7 Soldier: 1 — Soldiers do not pay their own way in warfare.
7 Vineyard: 2 — Farmers do not plant vineyards without eating the fruit.
7 Shepherds: 3 — Shepherds do not tend the flock without drinking the milk.
8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
8-10 Law / Moses / Oxen / Hope: 4 — The Law of Moses taught it.
Deuteronomy 25:4 (ESV) — 4 “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.
Paul used this verse in telling Timothy to count elders who rule well as worthy of double honor (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
1 Timothy 5:17–18 (ESV) — 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
11 Spiritual / material things: 5 — To reap material things is worth less than sowing spiritual things.
There is no comparison - they are doctors for the spiritual man, instructors of the spiritual issues, and officers of the spiritual army.
12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
12 Others: 6 — Others had already taken this right.
13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
13 Temple service: 7 — The Old Testament priesthood got their food from their work.
14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
14 The Lord commanded: 8 — Jesus commanded it.
Where did Jesus command it?
Luke 10:7 (ESV) — 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.
Paul quotes Jesus: 1 Timothy 5:18 (ESV) — 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
Aim: So one aim of our modern financial generosity is to do gospel-centered church work. How this looks varies from culture to culture, community to community. The gospel does not change, but the look and feel of a church will often reflect the culture it is in. Resources ought to be devoted to this work.
Comments on financial generosity.
Paul said, “Each of you” (1 Corinthians 16:2). This is personal.
Paul said, “Put something aside and store it up” (1 Corinthians 16:2). This is predetermined.
Paul said, “As he may prosper” (16:2). This is proportional.
Paul said, “So that there will be no collecting when I come” (16:2). This is without pressure.
God will provide for you.
2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (ESV) — 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Philippians 4:19 (ESV) — 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Malachi 3:10 (ESV) — 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Haggai 1:6 (ESV) — 6 You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.
Matthew 6:4 (ESV) — 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
15 Rights / no use: It is clear Paul knew his rights, and knew them well! He could destroy any argument to the contrary, but still he denied himself this right!
Like Jesus!
Romans 15:3 (ESV) — 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
Romans 15:8–9 (ESV) — 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”
16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
16 Necessity is laid upon me: He felt he had to preach. He was so strongly called, he could not boast in the fact he had preached the gospel.
17 Of my own will / Not of my own will:
Times you want to and times you don’t want to.
There are times it’s rewarding (reward), but there are times it’s a responsibility (stewardship).
Ex. Mount of Transfiguration vs. Man’s son with demons (Matthew 17).
There were times Paul said, “I get to preach.” There were times Paul said, “I have to preach.”
18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
18 Free of charge: Paul’s methodology and joy, especially in Corinth. He was an amazing man.
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
19 Free / Servant: Voluntary slavery to the Corinthians. He laid down his rights.
Paul had a simple goal in mind - win souls.
His whole life reflected that reality, even if it meant hardship for himself.
20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.
20 I became as a Jew: He considered and respected the Jewish customs.
Ex. He had Timothy circumcised in order to keep the door of the gospel open (Acts 16).
21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
21 As one outside the law: Paul became like a Gentile.
He was still under the law of God in the law of love toward Christ, for not every custom or culture is compatible with Christianity, but he refused to let his Jewish customs, traditions, and perspectives get in the way of the gospel.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
22 I became as weak: Paul sympathized with those with an over-active conscience (1 Corinthians 8:7). He wanted to reach even those inside the body of Christ.
22 I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some:
Paul always kept his target audience in mind.
This is not chameleon, but Christian (like Christ).
Jesus: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14).
God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom 8:3).
He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and came in the likeness of men (Phil 2:7).
Ex. Four gospels: Jewish, Roman, Gentile, and worldly mind.
He paid the price to keep his audience in mind.
Me: no politics, not everyone is a Christian, parental and explanatory when talking about sin, generations, marriage, genders.
Note: Paul believed in a new philosophy of life for Christians. We are to long for the expansion of the gospel above all things.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
25 Perishable wreath: A wreath made of olive or pine - very temporary. Our reward is lasting.
24 Run to win the prize.
26 Run with decisiveness, not aimlessly.
25, 27 Run with self-control, discipline.
27 Run without disqualification.
Not salvation, but the prize.