Ep 278 – 1 Corinthians 8

Loving to know versus knowing to love. That's the title for today's episode on 1 Corinthians, chapter 8. In this chapter, Paul continues to answer some of the questions that had been sent to him by the Corinthians in a letter. In this case, he addresses the topic of knowledge. Not academic or head-knowledge, but an awareness of right and wrong that allows a believer to do certain things that others might think are prohibited. Part of what Paul is having to deal with is an abuse on the part of some within the church in Corinth who were overstating their newfound freedom in Christ. They were demanding their rights to eat certain foods and to engage in particular practices that others felt were off limits. These more mature believers felt like they were having their rights stifled by those who were less spiritual. These baby Christians, who had come out of pagan backgrounds, were struggling with issues like eating meat that had been sacrificed to false gods. They saw the more mature Christians doing so and felt like it was wrong. For them, it was as if those who ate that meat were worshiping the false gods. They were appalled. They couldn't understand why someone would do such a thing. And the more mature believers felt like they had every right to do what they were doing and not have to put up with undeserved judgment. But for Paul, it all went back to love. Knowing you're right means nothing if you don't know enough to love others.