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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1Co_8:1-3
1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
1Co_8:1 "Now concerning things sacrificed to idols" This is another question (cf. 1Co_7:1; 1Co_7:25; 1Co_8:1; 1Co_12:1; 1Co_16:1; 1Co_16:12) that was asked by the Corinthian church in a letter which they wrote to Paul, brought by Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus (cf. 1Co_16:17).
NASB "things sacrificed to idols"
NKJV "things offered to idols"
NRSV "food sacrificed to idols"
TEV "food offered to idols"
NJB "food which has been dedicated to false gods"
This is a compound term from eidôlon, which means a shape, figure, image, or statue; and thuô, which means to kill or to offer a sacrifice. This very term was used to prohibit eating meat offered to an idol in the letter sent to Gentile churches from the Jerusalem Council in Act_15:29 (cf. Act_21:25).
▣ "we know that we all have knowledge" Possibly this is
1. a quote from the letter that the Corinthian church wrote to Paul
2. a slogan of one of the factious groups
3. a quote from Paul's earlier preaching, which the Corinthian church had misunderstood
▣ "Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies" Paul agrees with the statements contained in the Corinthian church's letter, but limits the concepts and shows their true meaning and application (this is also true of the false teachers' slogans in chapters 6-7).
Knowledge was one of the aspects of Greek culture in which some in the Corinthian church prided themselves. The problem with knowledge is that it tends to make one competitive and prideful (cf. 1Co_4:6; 1Co_4:18-19; 1Co_5:2; 1Co_8:1; 1Co_13:4; 2Co_12:20). See full note at 1Co_4:6. It focuses on the individual, not on the family, the body, the church.
The term "edify" is a building metaphor. Paul often speaks of "building up" or "edifying" the church or individual Christians (cf. Rom_14:19; Rom_15:2; 1Co_8:1; 1Co_10:23; 1Co_14:3; 1Co_14:5; 1Co_14:12; 1Co_14:26; 2Co_10:8; 2Co_12:19; 2Co_13:10; Eph_4:12; Eph_4:29; 1Th_5:11).
Love is crucial in our Christian freedom. Knowledge will not solve the problem of pride; only self-limiting love can do this. Believers are to pursue that which builds up the church, not that which glorifies gifted individual Christians.
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1Co_8:2 "If" This is a first class conditional sentence, which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes (cf. 1Co_8:3; 1Co_8:5).
▣ "anyone supposes that he knows anything" This is a perfect active indicative followed by a perfect infinitive. This reflects the settled arrogance of the Corinthian church (cf. 1Co_3:18).
NASB "he has not yet known as he ought to know"
NKJV "he knows nothing yet as he ought to know"
NRSV "does not yet have the necessary knowledge"
TEV "really don't know as they ought to know"
NJB "and yet not know it as well as he should"
Paul reveals their lack of spiritual knowledge. Worldly wisdom (i.e., human philosophy) causes divisions and arrogance, but God's knowledge of us (cf. 1Co_13:12; Gal_4:9) and our knowledge of the gospel free us to serve Him and His people.
1Co_8:3 "but if anyone loves God" This is a first class conditional sentence. There were those at Corinth who loved God. Notice Paul's emphasis is on love (i.e., present active indicative), not on knowledge (cf. 1Co_13:1-13).
▣ "he is known by Him" This may be another example of the slogans of those who claimed to be more enlightened and spiritual. It is very similar to a later Gnostic phrase found in Gospel of Truth 19.33. The truly enlightened ones know that there are not divisions between humans, not between
1. Jesus - Gentile
2. slaves - free
3. males - females
4. strong - weak
All barriers are "down" in Christ!
Our knowledge of God is important, but knowledge about God is no substitute for a personal relationship, initiated by God, that issues in our love for one another which expresses our love for Him (cf. Gal_4:6; 2Ti_2:19; 1Jn_4:19).