Aaaaand we’re back to 1 Corinthians. We rejoin the Apostle Paul in Chapter 8.

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “we all possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1).

Those of you who were with me when we left 1 Corinthians may remember that Paul was addressing questions that had been posed by folks in the Church. 

Of course you remember–you’re brilliant.

Well, here comes a question about food. Is it OK for a Christian to eat food that has been used as part of a pagan sacrifice? It’s a reasonable question–pagans held sacrifices like the Jews did, and they often had leftover meat. This meat might find its way to a market, or folks might throw a party to use it up.  A Christian might buy this meat, or find himself invited to one of these feasts by pagan friends. Did eating the food equate to participating in paganosity? Was it a bad witness? Would God view it as sin?

Before Paul addresses the question–which he will– he deals with the way the question was asked. It looks to me that whoever wrote this question to Paul figured they already knew the answer. They were looking for validation from Paul so they could give a big “See I told you so” to their brothers and sisters.

I may be wrong here, but that’s the way I read it.

Paul responds with a reminder that love is more powerful than mere knowledge. Love has the power to build a person up, strengthening them and helping them to stand strong in Christ.

Knowledge alone inflates one’s ego like a balloon–with predictable results.

So what’s it going to be today, Beloved? Empty knowledge, or the fullness of love?

Choose wisely

Happy Monday, Beloved