1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Knowledge puffs up 1 Corinthians 8:1-3: In their letter to Paul the Corinthian brethren had asked him about meat that had been offered to idols. Paul said this was a subject that everyone had some knowledge about. The problem with that is that knowledge makes us proud of ourselves and puffs us up with pride. In contrast with how knowledge puffs up love edifies and makes us helpful to others. To edify means to build up or strengthen, especially in morals or religion.

Corinth was a city where many sacrifices were made to idols. The flesh of the animals was not burned. It was just used in ceremonies and then sold in the market for meat. The question that arose was whether it was right for Christians to eat this meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Some Christians said that it did not matter because an idol was nothing anyway. Sadly those that had this knowledge often became puffed up. This became a discouragement to the weaker brethren. Those that knew the truth about idols should have been much more loving in their attitudes and actions. They did not know the love of God, for had they have know it there would have been a much greater impact on their daily living.