Paul's Teachings on Eating Meat Sacrificed to Idols

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Scripture Insight

1st Corinthians 8.7-
June 10th 2018
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Context of Paul's Advice

Okay, last week we read Paul’s advice to those who were debating whether it was right or wrong to eat meat sacrificed to idols. And the take away from verses 1-6 was that everyone has knowledge of the situation at hand but love is what should abide. Having said this, Paul, as he is known to do, contradicts the first premise that they all had knowledge regarding the subject and says, beginning at verse 7

7 Howbeit (however) there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Understanding Different Consciences

Okay, back to verse 7. As stated Paul back in verse one said, “Look, we all have opinions on the subject of whether its okay to eat meat or not but knowledge puffs us up – nevertheless the love for God edifies (or builds people up). I have really had to learn and relearn this point in my own life. The point being the one Paul makes in a chapter in the book headed our way where he says: “And though I have all knowledge . . . and have not charity, I am nothing.

But now Paul says:

7 However, there is not in every man that knowledge:

And what he says next is tough to understand . . . as a result it has been rewritten in different Bible translations with different meanings. However, there is not in every man that knowledge (of the facts and of the ancient laws relative to things associated with idols) for . . . some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

Now, before I explain how I understand this passage I want to point out a few other passages that Paul offers us in other epistles. For example, in Romans 14:14 he says: “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”

In another place (Titus 1:15) he writes: “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”

And then in a couple chapters (chapter ten) here in 1st Corinthians, Paul is going to write:

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

Taking all of these passages into account, it seems that what Paul is saying here is that some were still ignorant on this subject, not realizing that idols are nothing in this world and they believed that an idol had a real existence, and that to partake of that meat would cause them guilt and shame – or to feel that they were defiled by it. The inference therefore is that on their account other believers ought to abstain from consuming meats offered to idols.

7 Howbeit (however) there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol (some who think the idol has power in this world) unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol (they consume it with this belief); and their conscience being weak (they are not strong in the faith in the shed blood of

Conscience and Christian Liberty

Jesus covering all things) is defiled (their conscience before God is polluted). He’s not saying that these believers regard idols as the only God but they might suppose that they were intermediate beings, with some power, and therefore it would be improper to partake of things offered to them, meaning sinful, and this would cause their conscience before the living God to become troubled.

In verse 8 Paul gives them a reminder, and says:

8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

Herein is a truth at the core of Christianity – Christ has overcome ALL things – all of them, that were the result of the Fall. This means that NOTHING is unto itself evil, it's what is done with it, or what is made of it, or how it is abused or misused that makes things less viable in the life of a Christian. Verse eight reminds us clearly that we cannot make God love us more because we choose to obey the Law of Moses, because we pick a day of the week to observe, because we fast, or because we donate more time or money to causes.

It's the heart of the believer and the faith exuding from the heart that allows and disallows various actions and attitudes in them. Within all of us the Spirit of God is pulling us toward the light, the good, to life and love. The sin in the world has been taken care of, but we are accountable for the good we choose to do, that we allow. In this way, a believer would never relish in evil or sin, but would quickly recognize it and thank the Lord for His shed blood, but at the same time they would be free to live and be according to the dictates of their own conscience, knowing that God is their judge.

Personal Accountability

James (4:17) puts it this way:

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

Let me give you an example from my own life. Next door to a place I frequent every morning is a former restaurant that is closed. It once had two entrances that were fitted with hand-welded handles that are very ornate. A Domino's pizza came in and one of the doors became theirs – and the handle was removed and taken by a construction worker. This left the second door, which leads to a very small, unrentable space, untouched – and the ornate handle has sat there for years. And for years I have been tempted to take it.

In my criminal mind I have some good rationales. I even called the property managers a year ago and asked if I could have it. No return call – so again, even more reason to take the handle. Last week I made the decision to take the handle – and that I would do it once it got dark – just in case someone (like the cops) might misinterpret my unauthorized actions. So I had the tools in my car and the sun was headed toward the horizon, and I pulled out into the street in my car and the Spirit said with power:

“do NOT do this.”

That was it. I knew that while in all probability some crafty character was gonna take that handle someday, it was not for me to do – even having given myself all the liberty in the world to do it. “Therefore, to him who knoweth to do good (in my case, to leave the handle alone) and does not do it, to him it is sin.” We are all responsible for our consciences before God. All things will be revealed, but like Paul said in Romans 14:22:

“Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.”

Consideration for Others

Now, that being the case – and we ought to leave Everyone alone for their choices – Paul tosses in a caveat, saying:

9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

This is a reply Paul makes to the argument he presents in verse 8 when he says:

8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock.

Weakness in Faith

To them that are weak. Weak in what? I take this plainly to mean, in the end, those who are weak in their faith. I make this distinction because it is faith—strong faith in the finished work of Christ Jesus—that allows them liberty in things. The less faith, the more restrictions is the way I see it. I have great liberality in things due to the idea I maintain that God has in fact, overcome all things by and through His only begotten Son and there is nothing that can keep us from His love. I trust and believe this whole-heartedly. There are those, not trusting this, and believing that we are still sinning and making God unhappy with us, who do not abide in such liberty. So to those who “are weak,” Paul gives some instruction to those who are more liberal, saying:

9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

And he explains how this would occur in verse 10 saying:

“For if any man see you which hast knowledge (meaning, any of you who knows eating meat offered to idols means nothing) If any man sees you sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols? In other words, by acting on your liberty to eat all things openly, you may cause someone who considers that wrong to join you, and by doing so, you bring them into sin, because in that person's conscience it was wrong to eat, but they ate due to your influence.

The Consequences of Knowledge

Then Paul adds:

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother (weak in the faith) perish, for whom Christ died?

Notice something here—two words—weak brother and perish. It is another proof that there are those who have the word of God received into their heart soil, who are brothers or sisters, who can, through an assortment of means, perish. Now, that word, perish, is apol-oo-mee, and it means destroy, ruin, mar or lose. Understand that the word certainly means to mar in some unfortunate fashion or another. But it does not mean to completely and totally destroy in every case—so we have to be careful in our interpretation of it.

For instance, apoloomee is used to describe “the lost (apoloomee) sheep of the house of Israel.” While the sheep may be lost it does not mean they are destroyed. Same with the phrase where we read the Son of Man came to save those that are lost (apoloomee—can’t save something that has been completely destroyed). I mention this because the term is often used in association with hell and the lake of fire and those exposed to them.

So here, it may be that the use of the word perish simply means to “mar or harm” a weaker sister or brother's walk through the exercise of our liberty in Christ—that marring could be a simple stumble in them or total apostasy. In the end, whatever the results it's not good.

Sin and Conscience

Paul adds a line that seems to contradict something I just said when he adds at verse 12:

12 But when ye sin (harmarita—miss the mark, in this case, the Christian mark) so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin (hamartia—miss the mark) against Christ.

“I thought you said that all sin is taken care of by Christ on the cross, McCraney? What gives, double-talker?”

What gives is this: Paul says “the strength of sin is the law.” He also says that the Law and the Covenants were nailed to the Cross and he also said that Christians are to be dead to the law—for where there is no law there is no sin. Christ died for the posted law—therefore there is no sin RELATIVE TO IT. However, and this is key, didn’t Christ give a new commandment? A new law? He certainly did. What was it?

To love one another.

This commandment is amplified all through the New Testament writers when they define this love (in 1st Corinthians 13,) when they describe it in terms of dying to self, putting others first, not thinking badly of others, submitting our will to the Fathers, and of course returning evil with good, loving enemies, forgiving wrongdoers, etc. etc. The Christian act of loving others includes putting them and their needs ahead of our own. Paul wrote in Romans.

Understanding Self-Sacrifice and Love

12:3 . . . “to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

1st Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own things, but every man another's well being.

The point being, don’t take your liberty in Christ to mean it's your life and you can do what you want. Not the Christian message. That message is self-sacrifice for the loving benefit of others. Before I was a Christian I read a book by M. Scott Peck where he, as a Christian at the time, said that the best working definition of love that he has ever found is when one person puts the “spiritual well-being of another ahead of their wants or needs.” I’ve always resonated to that definition and find it consistent with the New Testament directives.

Here Paul seems to agree – the law of love does not permit one believer entitled by liberty in Christ to stumble a weaker believer in something they believe is wrong. So be aware of others. Consider their feelings. Don’t promote things that are questionable and obviously an affront to the spiritual sensitivities of others. To do so is to sin against Christ, Paul says, who gave us the law of love. Paul concludes with:

Paul's Self-Sacrifice

13 Wherefore, if meat makes my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. In other words, if eating meat offered to idols causes my brother to be offended or to draw him into something he or she considers wrong, I will not eat any such meat while this age abides – (The King James reads, “while the world stands,” but that is not supported by the Greek used. Paul simply says, “while this age of differences abides) and he adds why:

“lest I make my brother to trip – with the Greek being “SKANDALIDZO” so we see our English word here scandalize, lest I scandalize my brother. That’s love, eh. And that is chapter 8.

Addressing Criticism of Apostleship

So we have some time let’s push into chapter 9. Now, in verse 13 of chapter 8 Paul mentioned his willingness to deny himself, if he might be the means of benefiting others. We know that Paul was willing to do this in other areas as an Apostle by not living off the carnal or earthly things others possessed – even though he establishes through reason and scripture that he has that right.

There seems, between the lines, to have been some sort of criticism of Paul – either with him as being a real apostle, or one entitled to lead, to receive goods from the believers. His words in the first verse of this chapter appear to suggest that some questioned his seeing Jesus, that he was unmarried, a wanderer, and unlike the others. This entire pretty much addresses these and other apparent situations present there in Corinth – and he starts off with a bang, saying at verse one (let’s read all the subject matter here so through verse 23.

1st Corinthians 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for

Paul's Apostleship and Its Significance

10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

Becoming All Things to All Men

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Criteria for Apostleship

Alright, back to verse one. Where Paul asks:

"Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

So, “Am I not an apostle?” he rhetorically asks. This was a point to be settled – and it’s probable that some at Corinth had denied that he could be an apostle, since it was requisite that in order to be such they would have to have seen the Lord Jesus; been trained by him, witnessed his deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. and resurrection, would perform great miracles of the Spirit in His name, and could and would testify of this through much suffering – including death if demanded.

So Paul, right off the bat and in his defense, writes: Corinthians 9:1. Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? There is the first qualifier of being an apostle: being a firsthand eye-witness of Jesus.

When the apostles sought to replace Judas with someone to continue on as a personal witness, which was prophesied should occur and is in part why they did it, they looked for an individual who had:

Acts 1:21, 22. … companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

So, Jesus established His Church upon apostles who, as Luke said, “have seen Him,” as “He went in and out;” and as Peter said, were “witnesses of His resurrection.”

So the first BIBLICAL rule for being an apostle is…

Apostles must be first-hand witnesses of Jesus Christ. Additionally, each of the apostles of the Lord received their call to that office by Christ. We read in Luke 6:13. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.

In the calling of Paul, the same was true:

Galatians 1:1. Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by…

Qualifications of Apostles

The biblical foundation for apostleship centers on the direct choice by Jesus Christ and the inspiration by God. Apostles were not appointed by men, but directly by Jesus Christ, who trained them in person as He established His church. This exclusivity is crucial: no earthly qualifications can substitute for the divine appointment.

Infallible Inspiration

1 Thessalonians 2:13 emphasizes the necessity of infallible inspiration, protecting their teachings from error. This divine assurance was vital for their public teachings, both spoken and written. Jesus trained the apostles personally, ensuring that only they could hold this office. The message is clear: true apostleship cannot simply be passed down from individual to individual based on worldly standards.

The Power of Miracles

The ability to perform miracles was another essential qualification for apostleship. Mark 16:19, Acts 5:12, and Acts 19:11-12 illustrate how the apostles, including Paul and Peter, performed signs and wonders to confirm the word of God. These miracles were testimonies to their divine authority and distinguished them from successors, as highlighted in Acts 5:15 and Acts 19:11-12.

Distinction of Roles

It is crucial to distinguish between the word "apostle" as a general messenger and the specific office of an apostle. In Hebrews 3:1 and John 20:21, even Jesus Christ is described as an apostle, meaning a sent one of the Father. However, the office of apostle in the early church referred specifically to "the twelve" disciples. This distinction is supported by references in 2 Corinthians 8:23 and Philippians 2:25, where the same Greek word is used.

As firsthand witnesses of Jesus's resurrection, the apostles unwaveringly proclaimed their testimony. They each, except for John, faced martyrdom for their vocal and visual testimony.

1 Corinthians 4:9 highlights their unique position and appointment to convey the gospel, often at the cost of their lives. The New Testament also warns of false apostles, as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. These deceitful individuals attempted to imitate true apostleship but were ultimately judged by their works.

We will stop here and pick it up back at verse one of chapter nine next week.

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