1 First Corinthians “Solving Church Problems” Lesson 11, Section Eleven Problem Nine: “Abusing The Liberty of Conscience” First Corinthians 8:1-13 Page 51

2 Defining words and terms used in chapter 8... “God” (v3,4,6,8) - “God” (v3,4,6,8) - The Supreme Being; Jehovah; the eternal and infinite spirit; the creator, and the sovereign of the universe; the one and only God The Supreme Being; Jehovah; the eternal and infinite spirit; the creator, and the sovereign of the universe; the one and only God “Idol” (v1,4,7) - “Idol” (v1,4,7) - An image of some object of worship (Webster) An image of some object of worship (Webster) “Pagan religions offered worshipers many gods in heaven and on earth to revere and serve.” (p. 52, under c.) “Pagan religions offered worshipers many gods in heaven and on earth to revere and serve.” (p. 52, under c.) “so-called god [idol]” (5) - “so-called god [idol]” (5) - A false god; a heathen deity; an idol (stone or wood) A false god; a heathen deity; an idol (stone or wood)

3 The Romans had the same problem... Paul to the Romans about idols (1:21-25): Paul to the Romans about idols (1:21-25): 21...because, although they [Gentiles] knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.

4 Defining words and terms used in chapter 8... “Knowledge” (v1,7,10,11) - “Knowledge” (v1,7,10,11) - What one knows; the body of facts, and etc. accumulated by mankind (Webster) What one knows; the body of facts, and etc. accumulated by mankind (Webster) “It was a simple matter of acting according to one’s understanding of the truth about any matter in question.” (page 51, under d.) “It was a simple matter of acting according to one’s understanding of the truth about any matter in question.” (page 51, under d.) “Love” (v1,3) - “Love” (v1,3) - Attached to God; seeks to serve Him, and to promote His glory Attached to God; seeks to serve Him, and to promote His glory A passionate affection for another person or thing A passionate affection for another person or thing

5 Defining words and terms used in chapter 8... Knowledge must be tempered with a love that will constrain us to “look out not only for our own interests but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4). (p. 52, under k.) Knowledge must be tempered with a love that will constrain us to “look out not only for our own interests but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4). (p. 52, under k.)

6 Defining words and terms used in chapter 8... “Conscience” (v7,10,12) - “Conscience” (v7,10,12) - The knowledge, or consciousness, of our own acts and feelings as right or wrong with a compulsion to do right (Webster) The knowledge, or consciousness, of our own acts and feelings as right or wrong with a compulsion to do right (Webster) “Liberty” (v9) - “Liberty” (v9) - Freedom from slavery, captivity, etc.; a particular right, freedom, etc. (Webster) Freedom from slavery, captivity, etc.; a particular right, freedom, etc. (Webster)

7 Let’s read 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

8 Things Offered Unto Idols 1 Corinthians 8:1 These “things” were animal sacrifices These “things” were animal sacrifices The meat of the sacrifice was not contaminated The meat of the sacrifice was not contaminated After the sacrifice, the meat was offered for sale in the market, or served up at the feasts held in honor of idols, at their temples After the sacrifice, the meat was offered for sale in the market, or served up at the feasts held in honor of idols, at their temples We learn about animal sacrifices as early as Abel offering up “the firstling of his flock” We learn about animal sacrifices as early as Abel offering up “the firstling of his flock” God never intended for man to offer up sacrifices to idols or to unknown gods God never intended for man to offer up sacrifices to idols or to unknown gods Only approved sacrifices offered to the one true God were acceptable to Him Only approved sacrifices offered to the one true God were acceptable to Him

9 “We all have knowledge” 1 Corinthians 8:1 To the mature Christians, it did not make any difference in eating the meat offered to idols since idols were dead objects and meant nothing To the mature Christians, it did not make any difference in eating the meat offered to idols since idols were dead objects and meant nothing But, being puffed up and proud with this superior knowledge could cause harm to a weak brother But, being puffed up and proud with this superior knowledge could cause harm to a weak brother This attitude could undermine the convictions of those with a weak conscience causing him to sin, or fall back into sin This attitude could undermine the convictions of those with a weak conscience causing him to sin, or fall back into sin

10 A Proper “Attitude” Is Needed 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 The question of whether or not meats offered to idols may be eaten by some Christians must be answered not only on the basis of knowledge, but, just as importantly, on the basis of love (p. 52, j.) The question of whether or not meats offered to idols may be eaten by some Christians must be answered not only on the basis of knowledge, but, just as importantly, on the basis of love (p. 52, j.) Love [charity] edifies [builds up] (v1) Love [charity] edifies [builds up] (v1) Knowledge without love is nothing (v2) Knowledge without love is nothing (v2) If anyone loves God, he is known by God (v3) If anyone loves God, he is known by God (v3) And, he will love his brothers - whether strong or weak in the faith And, he will love his brothers - whether strong or weak in the faith

11 Let’s read 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

12 Back to Eating of Meats Offered to Idols 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 An idols are nothing more than the physical handiwork of the craftsmen who made them An idols are nothing more than the physical handiwork of the craftsmen who made them Idols cannot speak, cannot love, cannot bless, cannot show mercy, cannot save eternally, etc. Idols cannot speak, cannot love, cannot bless, cannot show mercy, cannot save eternally, etc. There is only one authentic God, the Father, who is worthy of man’s devotion There is only one authentic God, the Father, who is worthy of man’s devotion He is alive, He gives all “good things”, He provides a way of eternal salvation into heaven He is alive, He gives all “good things”, He provides a way of eternal salvation into heaven There is only one Lord Jesus Christ There is only one Lord Jesus Christ By whom are all things, and by Him we live By whom are all things, and by Him we live

13 Let’s read 1 Corinthians 8:7-8 7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

14 Food Will Not Commend Us To God 1 Corinthians 8:7-8 Not everyone at Corinth had the knowledge (v7) that an idol was nothing (v4) Not everyone at Corinth had the knowledge (v7) that an idol was nothing (v4) We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do (v8) We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do (v8) Some still had a conscience problem eating meats which were offered to idols (v7) Some still had a conscience problem eating meats which were offered to idols (v7) Their conscience, being weak, is defiled [polluted] Their conscience, being weak, is defiled [polluted] Idolatrous worship was combined with eating the sacrifices offered to idols Idolatrous worship was combined with eating the sacrifices offered to idols Food does not mean anything to God, but righteousness means everything to Him Food does not mean anything to God, but righteousness means everything to Him

15 Let’s read 1 Corinthians 8: But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened [encouraged] to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

16 Be Sensitive to Conscience 1 Corinthians 8:9-11 A man may have an absolute right [liberty] to do a thing, but it may not be prudent or wise to exercise it (v9) A man may have an absolute right [liberty] to do a thing, but it may not be prudent or wise to exercise it (v9) Verse 10 contains an example of how a strong, knowledgeable brother can cause a weak brother to stumble Verse 10 contains an example of how a strong, knowledgeable brother can cause a weak brother to stumble It might cause a weak brother to eat in a way that associates with the meat with the idol (as he had done before) It might cause a weak brother to eat in a way that associates with the meat with the idol (as he had done before) The weak brother would perish because he violated his conscience, or returned to idols The weak brother would perish because he violated his conscience, or returned to idols

17 Let’s read 1 Corinthians 8: But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble [to err]. This is the conclusion to this serious matter!