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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Corinthians 8:7 - 8:7
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Howbeit in all men there is not that knowledge (all' ouk en pasin hē gnōsis). The knowledge (hē gnōsis) of which Paul is speaking. Knowledge has to overcome inheritance and environment, prejudice, fear, and many other hindrances.
Being used until now to the idol (tēi sunētheiāi heōs arti tou eidōlou). Old word sunētheia from sunēthēs (sun, ēthos), accustomed to, like Latin consuetudo, intimacy. In N.T. only here and Joh 18:39; 1Co 11:16. It is the force of habit that still grips them when they eat such meat. They eat it “as an idol sacrifice” (hōs eidōlothuton), though they no longer believe in idols. The idol-taint clings in their minds to this meat.
Being weak (asthenēs ousa). “It is defiled, not by the partaking of polluted food, for food cannot pollute (Mar 7:18.; Luk 11:41), but by the doing of something which the unenlightened conscience does not allow” (Robertson and Plummer). For this great word suneidēsis (conscientia, knowing together, conscience) see note on Act 23:1. It is important in Paul’s Epistles, Peter’s First Epistle, and Hebrews. Even if unenlightened, one must act according to his conscience, a sensitive gauge to one’s spiritual condition. Knowledge breaks down as a guide with the weak or unenlightened conscience. For asthenēs, weak (lack of strength) see Mat 26:41.
Defiled (molunetai). Old word molunō, to stain, pollute, rare in N.T. (1Ti 3:9; Rev 3:4).