1 Corinthians 8
Dort1. The Apostle answers one question more concerning the eating of things offered to idols, and shows that it is not enough for this purpose, that we know that the idol is nothing, 5. and that we have but one God and one Lord; 9. seeing there are many weak ones, who by so doing would be offended, 10. and might take liberty to do thus likewise after their example, with an evil conference, and so perish. 12. Declares that such sin against Christ, 13. whereas no man ought to offend his brother even for the use of any meat.
1. Now concerning the things which are offered to idols [The Greek word Eiodolon, which we call idol, signifies any kind of image or likeness, and generally whatsoever without, or together with God, any religious honour is given to, and is here taken for an image whereby men honour any idol, or to which men give divine or religious honour under what pretence soever it be. Now seeing the Gentiles used part of the sacrifices which they offered to their idols for feasts, which they held at their houses or else in the Temples of the idols, whereunto the Christians were also sometimes invited; therefore it was demanded of the Apostle, whether it were also lawful to them, whether it were without or within the Temples of the idols, to go to such feasts, whereunto the Apostle answers partly in the tenth] We know that we altogether [namely, who are duly informed of God and of his nature, and withal of our Christian liberty. For he himself afterwards accepts the weak out of them, v. 7. and the Apostle seems here to rehearse the words which some persons among them used to colour their doings] have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, [that is, makes self-conceited, and despisers of our neighbour, when knowledge is without love and the true fear of God as the following word misport] but love edifieth. [causeth our knowledge to be used for the edification of ourselves and our neighbour. See Romans 14:19.]
2. And if thinketh that he knoweth any thing, [Namely, without conjoining of love as before] he hath known nothing yet, as it ought to be known.
3. But if any man love God, [And consequently his neighbour also of Gods sake, which two things cannot be separated, 1 John 4:20. and chapter 5. v. 1. 2.] he is known of him. [that is, known for his, as John 10:14. Romans 8:29. and for that cause also taught by him, as some take the word know. See also 1. Cor. 13. 12. and Gal, 4. 9.]
4. Concerning therefore the eating of things which are offered to idols; we know that an idol is nothing in the world, [That is, is no god, nor hath any divine power to pollute meats or to hallow them: otherwise idols are also something in the world, namely, gold, silver, stones, the sun, moon, deceased men, wicked spirits and the like which the Gentiles held for Gods, but have no divine power like as they thought, wherefore also they are called vanities and lies in the word of God] and that there is no other God but one.
5. For although there be also them that are called Gods [Namely by blind men who accounted such creatures or even their own fancies for Gods, Romans 1:21. etc.] whether in heaven or on the earth (as there be many Gods and many Lords. [namely, such feigned Gods, or else which Gods word itself calls Gods, as are the Angels and Magistrates, Psalms 8:6, Psalms 82:1.]
6. Notwithstanding we have but one God, [Namely, who is truly and essentially the eternal God] the Father, of whom, [that is, by whose ordering and almighty power. See the like, Romans 11:36.] are all things, and we for him, [that is, for his service and for his glory, Proverbs 16:4. and 1 Cor. 10. 31.] and (but) one Lord, [namely, who hath absolute power and command over us and our consciences. Which the Apostle saith not to exclude the Father and Holy Ghost from it, who are also every where in the Scriptures called our Lord, but only all creatures and feigned Gods, as before he said the Father to be one God, not to exclude the son and the Holy Ghost from it, but only the creatures and feigned Gods] Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, [namely as a co-worker with his Father in all his divine works, John 1:3. and 5. 19.] and we by him. [Hereby he understands the work of redemption]
7. But in all knowledge is not: [namely, that the idol is nothing, or hath no power to defile that which is offered] but some with a conscience of the idol, [that is, with a conscience that judgeth that the idol is somewhat, and hath power to pollute the meat] even until now [that is, without having been able hitherto to be brought to another opinion] eat as (ought) that is offered to an idol: and their conscience being weak is defiled. [namely, seeing they nevertheless eat that which they hold to be defiled, and that against their judgment.]
8. Now meat [That is, the simple use of meat. Some take this for the words of Apostle, who should hereby instruct the strong that they may so much the better leave such meat. Others take it for the words of those themselves, who under this pretext durst eat of the Idol-sacrifice. Both agree not ill with that which followeth] maketh us not acceptable to God. For whether we eat we have no abundance, [namely, in spirituals, or in respect of acceptableness before God; so also that which followeth. See Romans 14:17.] and whether we eat not, we have no want.]
9. But take heed that this your power [Namely, which ye have or think that ye have in the use of such meat] become not in any wife a stumbling-block [the word stumbling-block signifies sometimes a grief which a man hath for that which any one doth amiss, but here it signifies a boldness which any one takes to do like another although he thinketh that the other doth ill, as that which followeth shows] to them that are weak.
10. For if any man seeth thee who hast knowledge [Namely, that an Idol is nothing, as before] sit at meat in the Idols Temple, [or as some understand this, at the Idols Table, i.e. at the feast which is kept for the honour of the Idol] Shall not the conscience of the same who is weak, be hardened [Gr. Edified, which here is taken in an ill sense] to eat the things which are offered to Idols? [namely, whereas nevertheless he reckoneth that the Idol hath defiled these things, or as the Idolaters spoke, consecrated it to himself.]
11. And the brother which is weak by thy knowledge [Or for thy knowledge, i.e. by or for the abuse of thy knowledge, seeing thou dost not use it for edification, but with offence of the weak] shall perish, [namely, seeing thereby as much as in thee is, thou givest occasion to this thy weak brother by thy example, so by little and little to fall to the Idol, and to fall away from the Christian Religion, and so to perish. See the like phrase, Matthew 5:28. Romans 14:15. for whom [namely, weak brother] Christ died? [namely, to keep him from destruction, and for this end also to redeem him from idolatry and his former vain conversation, 1 Pet. 1. 18. For howsoever those for whom Christ died, and whom by his death he hath truly redeemed, cannot be seduced by the seducing power of offences, Matthew 24:24. John 10:15, 28. Yet nevertheless they that give offence do nothing else but as much as in them is, bring such as are weak in the faith to destruction, except they were kept by the power of God and the intercession of Christ, Luke 22:31, 32. 1 Pet. 1. 5.]
12. But ye so sinning against the brethren, and wounding [Gr. Striking, which is a matter of great cruelty to make the conscience of such which is weak of itself, by striking or wounding yet weaker, and as it were kill it] their weak conscience, sin against Christ. [namely, whose members they are. See Acts 9:4.]
13. Therefore if meat [Namely, of what sort so ever it be. And the Apostle gives here a general rule, according to which the conscience of all believers must be regulated in respect of indifferent things and of the weak: but not in respect of the obstinate or willful. See Matthew 15:12. and Galatians 2:3. & c] offends my brother, I will never eat any flesh, lest I should offend my brother.