Home

Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER EIGHT:
UNITY AND THE CONSCIENCE

Theme Verse: 9
[“Stumbling and the Conscience”]
Key word: Conscience

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 – Knowledge and Love

1CO8:1 Now about the [food] sacrificed to idols, 412 we realize that all possess knowledge. 413 This knowledge puffs up, 414 but compassionate affection builds up. 415

412

Now about the [food] sacrificed to idols: Paul now raises another subject. The Jews followed strict dietary regulations AND abhorred idols. [Note Romans 2:22] Also, they would not eat meat that had not been bled, or offered to idols. The non-Jews had no such difficulties and were quite liberal. Food and meat were offered up at the pagan temples and altars and then sold in the meat markets. These were about as far from kosher as possible. Paul now addresses this potential source for disunity in the Church. For further background compare Acts 15:1ff.

413

We realize that all possess knowledge: Or, KJV: we know that we all have knowledge; WMS: we know that every one of us has some knowledge of the matter. That is, everyone has an opinion on this subject of food sacrificed to idols. Surely the Corinthians had already received the declaration of dogma from the apostolic Jerusalem conference and the letter produced? [Acts 15:20]

414

This knowledge puffs up: Or, NAS: knowledge makes arrogant; TCN: knowledge breeds conceit. The Greek is HE GNOSIS, or “the knowledge.” Paul has in mind, not knowledge in general, and certainly not spiritual knowledge which comes from God. [Proverbs 2:1-9] But, a particular, specific knowledge regarding idols and the food sacrificed to them. It is a verse often misapplied as a criticism of those who love “The God of knowledge.” [1 Samuel 2:3]

415

But compassionate affection builds up: Or, KJV: charity edifieth; TCN: love builds up character. The Greek has the article – HE AGAPE – so it is not just love in general, but a specific love – loving concern of a divine sort which seeks the highest good of another. See the love in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. This word is often rendered by “compassionate affection” in 21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures [NCMM].

1CO8:2 If anyone thinks to know something, 416 this person as yet does not know it as necessity requires. 417

416	If anyone thinks to know something: Or, TAY: knows all the answers; KNX: claims to have superior knowledge. Compare Galatians 6:3. It is likely Paul has in mind those elders he will mention later. [1 Corinthians 11:3, 4, 14, 15]

417

This person as yet does not know it as necessity requires: Or, KJV: as he ought to know; PME: he still has a lot to learn. Someone [or, a group] in the Corinthian church think they speak from knowledge. Most people have opinions, but these do not need to always be expressed. Particularly those people who have not studied a subject as thoroughly as they should. It is not a rare example when a new Christian, after only a brief experience in the Word, suddenly thinks to know it all.

1CO8:3 But, if anyone continues to have compassionate affection for The God, 418 this person is known by Him. 419

418	If anyone continues to have compassionate affection for The God: Compare 1 John 4:8.

419	This person is known by Him: Or, this one has an intimate relationship with God. It suggests that God does not know those who do not love Him.

1 Corinthians 8:4-6 – Regarding Idolatrous Food

1CO8:4 Now, therefore, about the eating of [food] sacrificed to idols, 420 we realize that an idol is nothing in humanity’s social order. 421 [We know] that there is no God if not One. 422

420

About the eating of [food] sacrificed to idols: There may have been some misunderstanding regarding the apostolic decree. [Acts 15:20, 29] It is interesting in this discussion that nothing is ever said about blood. It is interesting to note that the Glorified Master in his Revelation uses language that echoes the apostolic decree twice. [Revelation 2:14, 20] In neither does Jesus mention blood.

421	We realize that an idol is nothing in humanity’s social order: Or, world; NEB: of course, as you say, a false god has no existence in the real world; MON: we know that an idol-god has no real existence in the universe. [Deuteronomy 32:31; 2 Kings 19:18; Isaiah 44:10; Jeremiah 16:20]

422

[We know] that there is no God if not One: That is, “There is only one Absolute Deity.” Or, BEC: there is only one God; NOR: God is One. The first rendering is inaccurate Biblically and also not a proper rendering of the Greek. In Biblical terms there is one Absolute God who is the only one infinite in love, virtue, power, and wisdom. All others learn from Him, including His own Son. [Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:5] Yehowah is the “God of gods and Lord of lords.” [Deuteronomy 10:17]

1CO8:5 Additionally, if even there are those said to be gods – whether in heaven or upon earth 423 – even as there are many gods and many lords 424 –

423

Those said to be gods – whether in heaven or upon earth: In both the Hebrew [ELOHIM] and the Greek [THEOS] there are gods in the limited or qualified senses other than the Almighty God. In heaven, angels are called “gods.” On earth, Hebrew kings and judges are all called “gods.” [Psalm 45:7; 82:1, 6, 7] The Bible is henotheistic [one + god] in theology: though one Absolute God exists He is also the “God of gods [such as angels and Israelite judges] and Lord of lords [such as Jesus Christ and King David].” [Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 110:1] For more details see gods in Error of the Trinity in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

424	Many gods and many lords: Compare Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 136:3; Isaiah 9:6. The Hindus worship 300 million gods it is said.

1CO8:6 but to us [there is] one God and Father, 425 from whom everything originates 426 and we for Him; 427 and [there is] one Master Jesus Christ, 428 by whose agency everything originated, 429 and we by means of him. 430

425	To us [there is] one God and Father: Note that God is the Father. There is only one “God and Father.” It is worthy of note that with such an opportunity before him, Paul does not create a triune formula here, for the Spirit is absent here.

426

From whom everything originates: Or, KJV: of whom are all things; WMS: the source of all things; KNX: the origin of all things. Since God the Father is “the origin of all things” this would include His Son. Micah 5:1, 2 in the Hebrew Text shows the ruler Messiah had an “origin.” See details in Error of the Trinity under Micah 5:2 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. Compare John 1:1-3, 10 and Colossians 1:15, 16. The Son originates from the Father, as do all other things in the Universe.

427	And we for Him: Or, we in him, for whom we exist, goal of our living, the end of our being. [Acts 17:28; Romans 11:35]

428	And [there is] one Master Jesus Christ: Paul does not speak absolutely, or without qualifications, for The God and Father of Jesus Christ is also called “Lord.” [Deuteronomy 10:17; Ephesians 4:5; Philippians 2:11] Compare the KJV of Psalm 110:1. Note “His Lord” in Revelation 11:15 with Psalm 2:1.

429

By whose agency everything originated: Or, KJV: by whom are all things; GDS: through whom everything was made. Compare the Greek DI [or, DIA] at John 1:2, Colossians 1:15-17, and Hebrews 1:2, 3. The Son is the creative agent and not the source or origin of creation. Compare Proverbs 8:22ff and Revelation 3:12. For details see Error of the Trinity IN Nazarene Commentary 2000© on these texts.

430	And we by means of him: Or, GDS: through whom we live. [John 1:10]

1 Corinthians 8:7-13 – Avoid Wounding Weak Conscience

1CO8:7 However, this knowledge is not in everyone. 431 Rather it is their custom until now to eat [food] sacrificed to an idol 432 and their weak conscience 433 is being defiled. 434

431	This knowledge is not in everyone: That is “this knowledge” of the One God as the origin of all, and the one Master by whom the Universe was created.

432

Rather it is their custom until now to eat [food] sacrificed to an idol: The non-Jews lacked this knowledge previously discussed. They thought nothing of eating food that had been offered up to idols. Paul will amplify this topic later. [1 Corinthians 10:28] Bringing a sensitive Jew together with a liberal non-Jew on this matter was a hotbed for disunity.

433

Conscience: The word conscience occurs most often in First Corinthians. [1 Corinthians 8:7, 10, 12; 10:25, 27, 28, 29] The Greek is SYNEIDESIS which means the same as the Anglicized Latin word conscience and literally means with + knowledge [idea]. For Paul’s definition of such see Romans 2:15. Though there is what the Nuremberg judges called “a universal human conscience” such can also be trained, strengthened or sensitized. [Hebrews 4:12; 5:14]

434	Their weak conscience is being defiled: This would be the Christian who was formerly a Jew with a background of strict dietary regulations and an abhorrence of idols. Also note the “weak” person in Romans 14:2.

1CO8:8 But, any food eaten will not make us closer to The God. 435 Nor do we fall short if we should not eat; 436 nor do we acquire credit if we should ever eat. 437

435	Any food eaten will not make us closer to The God: Or, commendeth us not, acceptance, approval. Refusing to eat non-kosher foods will not affect our relationship with God. Christ declared “all foods clean.” [Mark 7:19; Romans 14:17]

436	Nor do we fall short if we should not eat: Or, no advantage. That is, refraining from eating food or meat outlawed by the Law of Moses with its dietary regulations

437	Nor do we acquire credit if we should ever eat: “Credit” and “reward” are words used by the Nazarene. [Matthew 5:12, 46; 6:1, 2, 5, 16; Luke 6:32-34] Dietary regulations are useless, having no affect on our relationship with God.

1CO8:9 Be on the look out that somehow this authority of yours does not become a stumbling block 438 to those with a weak [conscience]. 439

438

This authority of yours does not become a stumbling block: Or, liberty, freedom. The Christian freedom to either eat or not eat may become a cause of stumbling to an associate in the spiritual community. It is unfortunate that those who do not eat something will wear their self-righteous cloak and make judgments of others if they do not follow the same course. [Romans 14:13] Romans chapter 14 is good chapter to compare with this portion in 1 Corinthians.

439	Those with a weak [conscience]: Or, WMS: to over-scrupulous people; BEC: weak Christians may fall into sin because you do as you please; PME: you must be careful that your freedom to eat meat does not in any way hinder anyone whose faith is not as robust as yours. [Romans 14:20]

1CO8:10 For if you ever should see someone with knowledge reclining [at a meal] in an idol temple, 440 the person with a weak conscience will be emboldened to eat 441 [food] sacrificed to idols. 442

440

If you ever should see someone with knowledge reclining [at a meal] in an idol temple: Or, WMS: some one with an intelligent view of this matter; NEB: if a weak character see you sitting down to a meal in a heathen temple. The Hebrews worshipped at their own Temple by sharing communion meals from those animals sacrificed on the altar. The non-Jews did something similar in a shrine to an idol or demon-god. Here it is the one possessed of the knowledge that “an idol is nothing in the world” and therefore it is of no consequence whether one eats such foods in a heathen temple.

441	The person with a weak conscience will be emboldened to eat: The Christian with a weak [or, untrained] conscience might also share a meal with you and later feel very guilty despite any “knowledge” you might impart to them.

442

[Food] sacrificed to idols: Paul wrote the apostolic letter sent out from Jerusalem which stated to “abstain… from things sacrificed to idols… and from blood.” [Acts 15:29] Thus, Paul is clarifying somewhat this decree. It is likely Jewish influences expanded on the apostolic decree beyond its intended meaning.

1CO8:11 So, the weak person is being ruined because of your knowledge 443 [that an idol is nothing] – the very brother for whom Christ died. 444

443	The weak person is being ruined because of your knowledge: One’s freedom to eat anything does not take precedence over another believer’s conscience. See details in 1 Corinthians chapter 10. [1 Corinthians 10:29]

444	The very brother for whom Christ died: The conscience of this neophyte Christian, possibly a former Jew, is more important that one’s liberty. [Romans 14:15]

1CO8:12 Thus, you are sinning against your brothers making them sin 445 and wound their weak conscience. 446

445

You are sinning against your brothers making them sin: Note that the use of freedom which leads to stumbling someone is a sin even though there is no “law” against eating in an idol temple. Also, though one is free to eat in an idol temple, it is a sin when one wounds even their own weak conscience. Christians must train themselves over time as to what is right or wrong. [Hebrews 5:13, 14] Modern examples might be a type of entertainment or public drinking.

446	Wound their weak conscience: Or, damage, injure, too scrupulous a conscience. It is the weak conscience that is wounded for its had not yet gained the “knowledge” mentioned above. [1 Corinthians 10:29]

1CO8:13 Consequently, if food ever causes my brother to fall, 447 I will never ever eat [idolatrous] meat during this period of time 448 so that I should never cause my brother to fall. 449

447	If food ever causes my brother to fall: Or, meat, makes my brother sin, stumble. [Romans 14:15]

448

I will never ever eat [idolatrous] meat during this period of time: Or, KJV: I will eat no flesh while the world standeth; KNX: I will abstain from flesh meat perpetually; NAS: will never eat meat again; RHM: In nowise will I eat flesh unto the age that abideth. It is likely Paul means he would abstain in any circumstance where a Christian might be stumbled. Paul writes that only the weak, or over-scrupulous person “eats only vegetables.” [Romans 14:1-3] Note the example of Peter’s over-scrupulous conscience when the heavenly Voice told him to eat “unclean” animals. [Acts 10:9-16] In Acts 27:33-38 and Acts 28:7 Paul is seen eating and it would seem likely that some of these meals would have included meat or other idolatrous foods that Jews would have considered “unclean.”

449	I should never cause my brother to fall: Or, to offend, or give him a reason to sin.

Review Questions on Chapter Eight