Food Sacrificed to Idols
(Ezekiel 14:1–11; Romans 14:13–23)
Paul addresses the Corinthians' question about eating food...
Paul addresses the Corinthians' question about eating food offered to idols. In the Greco-Roman world, temples and shrines dedicated to pagan gods were common. Worshipers often offered animal sacrifices, and pagan priests sold the extra meat in the market. Christians wondered if they could eat this meat.
Was meat from a sacrifice to a pagan god impure? Paul does not mention the Jewish Christian leaders' prohibition in Acts 15:20, 29. Instead, he stresses that actions should be guided by love and consideration for others. After introducing the topic (1 Corinthians 8:1–13), he shares examples of giving up one's rights for others' sake (9:1–27) and offers advice on three specific situations believers faced.
1Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
God acknowledges those who truly love Him, not...
God acknowledges those who truly love Him, not just those who know all the answers (see 1 Corinthians 13:12; Galatians 4:9).
2The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3But the one who loves God is known by God.
In reality, the idols to which such meat...
In reality, the idols to which such meat is sacrificed are not gods, because there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; see also Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; 10:19–20). He is the Creator of everything, including the meat being sacrificed for the idols. The only ultimate reality is God, the Father, and the one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created (see also John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2).
4So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.
7But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
Believers should ensure their actions, like eating sacrificial...
Believers should ensure their actions, like eating sacrificial meat, do not cause others to struggle (compare Romans 14:13, 20–21; Galatians 5:13).
9Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols? 11So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12By sinning against your brothers in this way and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to stumble.