1 Corinthians 8:1
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1 Corinthians 8:1
Verse 8:1 begins a new subsection about eating foods offered to idols. The statement, “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth,” contrasts two forces: knowledge can inflate pride, while love (charity) builds others up. The Corinthians prided themselves on their superior understanding of idols and meat offered to idols. Paul redirects them from intellectual boasting toward a posture of love that seeks the good of others, especially those who may be weak in conscience regarding meals sacrificed to idols. The cultural setting included feasts in temples and open markets where idol offerings were common. The church’s challenge was to navigate freedom in Christ without causing offense or stumbling.
This verse foregrounds a central Pauline theme: the superiority of love over knowledge when knowledge could harm communal unity. It insists that freedom in Christ must be tempered by love for neighbor. Theological implications include the tension between Christian liberty and responsibility to the weak, the call to mutual edification, and the ethic of self-sacrificial restraint for the sake of unity.
Today, 8:1 invites believers to examine how their freedoms might affect others—dietary choices, cultural practices, or personal preferences. Practical steps: pause to consider how your actions impact those with weaker consciences, seek restraint when necessary, and prioritize relational harmony over personal pride. For example, in a church potluck, someone may be uncomfortable with a dish tied to problematic practices; choose to honor their conscience even if you technically disagree. The core is love that seeks to build up, not prove a point.
Cross-References: Romans 14:1-23; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Galatians 5:13-14; Philippians 2:3-4