1 Corinthians 8:4

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. AS CONCERNING ... - resuming 1 Corinthians 8:1, "As touching," ... IDOL IS NOTHING - has no true being in nature. This does not contradict 1 Corinthians 10:20; for here it is the GODS believed to be represented by the idols, which are denied to have any existence; not the devils which really under the idols delude the worshippers. NONE OTHER GOD. So 'Aleph (') C. But A B Delta G f g, Vulgate, omit [ heteros (G2087)] "other." Compare...

4._Concerning, therefore, the eating of those things _He now returns to the statement with which he had set out, and speaks more plainly in reference to the pretext made use of by the Corinthians. For as the whole of the evil took its rise from this root — that they were pleased with themselves, and despised others, he condemns, in general, that contemptuous knowledge which is not seasoned with love. Now, however, he explains particularly, what is the kind of knowledge on which they valued themselves — that _an idol _is an empty figment of the human brain, and must therefore be reckoned as _nothing_; and accordingly, that the consecration, that is gone through in name of the idol, is a foolish imagination, and of no importance, and that a Christian man, therefore, is not polluted, who, without reverence for the idol, eats of things offered to idols. This is the sum of the excuse, and it...

1-6 There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge. Much may be known, when nothing is known to good purpose. And those who think they know any thing, and grow vain thereon, are the least likely to make good use of their knowledge. Satan hurts some as much by tempting them to be proud of mental powers, as others, by alluring to sensuality. Knowledge which puffs up the possessor, and renders him confident, is as dangerous as self-righteous pride, though what he knows may be right. Without holy affections all human knowledge is worthless. The heathens had gods of higher and lower degree; gods many, and lords many; so called, but not such in truth. Christians know better. One God made all, and has power over all. The one God, even the Father, signifies the Godhead as the sole object of all religious worship; and the Lord Jesus Christ denotes the person of Emmanuel, Go...

Verse 1 Corinthians 8:4. _THINGS THAT ARE OFFERED IN SACRIFICE_] See on the first verse. See on the first verse, 1 Corinthians 8:1 _AN IDOL_ IS _NOTHING IN THE WORLD_] Dr. Lightfoot translates this, _We know that there is no idol in the world_; which he explains thus: ειδωλον, idol, is ὁμοιωμα, εικων, σημειον, χαρακτηριον, σκιοειδες, a _likeness_, an _image_, a _sign_, a _character_, a _shadow_: now ουδεν ειδωλον signifies _there is no_ _idol_, no _representation_ of GOD, in the world. _Images_ there are of stone, wood and metal; but none of these is any representation of the infinite Spirit. But I prefer the meaning given in the note on verse...

AS CONCERNING THEREFORE ... - The parenthesis closes with 1 Corinthians 8:3. The apostle now proceeds to the real question in debate, and repeats in this verse the question, and the admission that all had knowledge. The admission that all had knowledge proceeds through 1 Corinthians 8:4; and in 1 Corinthians 8:7 he gives the answer to it. In 1 Corinthians 8:4 everything is admitted by Paul which they asked in regard to the real extent of their knowledge on this subject; and in 1 Corint

EXPOSITION 1 CORINTHIANS 8:1 _The relation of lore to knowledge with respect to the question of eating idol offerings._ 1 CORINTHIANS 8:1 AS TOUCHING THINGS OFFERED UNTO IDOLS. This was doubtless one of the questions on which the Corinthians had asked for advice. We judge from the tone of the questions to which St. Paul here replies that the majority of the Corinthians, being liberal in their views, held that it was a matter of perfect indifference to eat idol offerings; and that, in acting upon this conviction, they contemptuously overrode the convictions of those who could not help thinking that when they did so they committed a sin. The practical decision of the question was on

AS CONCERNING THEREFORE THE EATING OF THOSE THINGS,.... The apostle having enlarged on the head of knowledge, which those who made an ill use of their Christian liberty urged in favour of their conduct; he returns to the subject in question, in relation to meats, THAT ARE OFFERED IN SACRIFICE UNTO IDOLS. The determinations of the Jewish schools concerning this affair are as follow, which admit of no manner of profit by them in any shape: "a beast, the whole of which they offer to idols, is forbidden of profit, even its dung, and its bones, and its horns, and its hoofs, and its skin, all is forbid to be of any profit'' y. Again z, "flesh or wine, or fruits, which are brought in to be offered up to idols, are not forbidden to profit with, although they are brought into the idol's temple, until they offer them up before it; הקריבום לפניה "but when offered up before it"; they become an o...

5. CONCERNING MEATS OFFERED TO IDOLS: CHRISTIAN LIBERTY GOVERNED BY LOVE CHAPTER 8 _ 1. Concerning things sacrificed to idols and knowledge. (1 Corinthians 8:1)._ 2. True knowledge and liberty governed by love. (1 Corinthians 8:7). Another question is raised concerning things offered to idols. Should Christians eat what had been offered in sacrifice to idols? These idol-offered meats were generally sold in the meat market. Would a believer be defiled by using such meats? They all had knowledge concerning these matters. But mere knowledge without love only puffeth up. Love is better than knowledge, for it edifieth, and this love they had to manifest in the matter of eating things sacrificed to idols. As to knowledge, how little man knoweth. How true it is “if

1 CORINTHIANS 8. LET THOSE WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE CONTROL ITS EXERCISE BY LOVE, LEST THEY RUIN THEIR BROTHER FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED. Paul begins with a quotation from the church letter. They claim that all have knowledge. Yes, but knowledge makes men conceited, love develops and consolidates them. They who fancy that they know have no right knowledge: he who loves God is known by God, a better knowledge than any of his own. However, all are aware that no idol has any real existence and that there is only one God. For, allowing that there are so-called gods, as in truth there are many gods and lords (_i.e._ the demons), yet Christians recognise one God, the Father, source of all things and their own goal, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, the efficient agent in creation and in their own redemption. Yet those who are without such knowledge, when they eat the idol sacrifice, are dominated by the old po...

ADVICE TO THE WISE (1 Corinthians 8:1-13) 8 With reference to things offered to idols--we are well aware that we all possess knowledge; but knowledge inflates a man, whereas love builds him up. If anyone thinks he has reached a certain stage of knowledge, it is not the kind of knowledge it ought to be. If a man loves God, he is known by God. With regard to food which consists of things offered to idols, we well know that there is nothing in the universe for which an idol stands, and that there is no God but one; and even if the so-called gods do exist, just as there are gods many and lords many, as far as we are concerned, it remains true that there is one God, the Father, from whom all things come and to whom we go; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came into being and through whom we were re-created. But it is not everyone who has knowl