Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Corinthians 8
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Corinthians 8
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Corinthians 8
"Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth. If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know; but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him. Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is [anything] in the world, and that there is no God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many; yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him." — 1 Corinthians 8:1-6 (ASV)
There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge. Much may be known when nothing is known to good purpose. And those who think they know anything, and become proud of it, are the least likely to make good use of their knowledge. Satan hurts some as much by tempting them to be proud of mental powers, as others, by alluring them to sensuality.
Knowledge that puffs up the possessor and makes him confident is as dangerous as self-righteous pride, even though what he knows may be right. Without holy affections, all human knowledge is worthless. Pagans had gods of higher and lower degree—gods many, and lords many—so-called, but not truly such. Christians know better.
One God made all and has power over all. This one God, specifically the Father, signifies the Godhead as the sole object of all religious worship. The Lord Jesus Christ denotes the person of Emmanuel—God manifest in the flesh, one with the Father and with us. He is the appointed Mediator and Lord of all. Through Him we come to the Father, and through Him the Father sends all blessings to us by the influence and working of the Holy Spirit.
While we refuse all worship to the many who are called gods and lords, and to saints and angels, let us test whether we really come to God by faith in Christ.
"Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as [of] a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak. For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol`s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble." — 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 (ASV)
Eating one kind of food and abstaining from another have nothing in them to recommend a person to God. But the apostle cautions against putting a stumbling block in the way of the weak, so that they are not emboldened to eat what was offered to the idol, not as common food but as a sacrifice, and thus be guilty of idolatry. Whoever has the Spirit of Christ in them will love those whom Christ loved so as to die for them.
Injuries done to Christians are done to Christ. This is especially true of entangling them in guilt: wounding their consciences is wounding Him. We should be very careful not to do anything that may cause stumbling to others, though it may be innocent in itself. And if we must not endanger the souls of others, how much should we take care not to destroy our own!
Christians should beware of approaching the brink of evil, or even its appearance, though many do this in public matters, for which they perhaps argue plausibly. People cannot sin against their fellow believers in this way without offending Christ and endangering their own souls.
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