Love & Liberty

27^th/09/2026

1 Corinthians 8:1–13

1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 

7 Howbeit 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 sin 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.

Beloved, there are those who attend to matters that do not add nor take away from their salvation. 

There are some, whom the text describes as “weak“, or immature in their faith, who see food offered to what they believe are idols, and will refuse to eat it because it is offered in sacrifice to an Idol.

There are those who will only eat Kosher foods for example.

There are butchers who will only serve HALAL meats and many who see such foods as “offered to Idols” and thereby refuse to eat it.

Those who do eat it are judged by those who wont, and those who dont eat are judged by those who do, and LOVE is lost FOR THEIR LIBERTY.

We offend our brothers when we eat that which they are offended by, and we judge our brethren who exercise their liberty in eating knowing that “an idol is nothing” in the world.

But where is LOVE?

Where is LIBERTY?

Paul addresses both in this Chapter and adds to it our need for HUMILITY and perspective.

Pray

Our Lowliness Above Our Learning

1 Corinthians 8:1–3

1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 

Doctrine

1 Now as touching things offered unto idols,

Paul is again addressing that which seems to have been enquired of him.

We recall that the city of Corinth was certainly given over to Idols as a part of their current history and here we have an enquiry of what believers are to do respecting the matter.

The “things” he refers to seems to be related to food. 

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols,….

7 ……for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; …..

 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. 

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 thingswhich are offered to idols; …

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth,…

There is nothing else in the chapter being dealt with other than that related to food, and that specifically offered to Idols.

Interestingly Paul immediately brings the matter to that related to what is believed to be KNOWN;

we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 

The “Knowledge” he refers to here is not directed to one party more than the other.

There will come a time when all will be known. When that which is hidden will be revealed. 

Jude rebukes the Church saying But these speak evil of those things which they know not: (Jude 10)

Peter writing of false brethren, warned even more powerfully of the danger of those judging things we do not know as yet saying;  2 Peter 2:12

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

Later in this letter Paul clarifies to the church of Corinth the purpose of love with humility saying; 1 Corinthians 13:12

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

There is no doubt there would be opposing positions on the matter, some believing that the thing (food offered to Idols) ought to be avoided at all costs and others believing that the Idol is nothing and therefore may freely eat. 

Neither person is directly related to and therefore BOTH ARE.

Reproof

There is a natural stubbornness in man, a level of PRIDE that has us often exalt ourselves above that of others, especially when the truth of the matter is not apparent in the scriptures. 

And In this text BOTH seem to be addressed in some form, as neither seem to be elevated above the other.

The persons who “refrain” from eating, think themselves righteous and in better standing with God for doing so.

The persons who know an idol is nothing, and what God hath cleansed no man is to call “common” or unclean (Acts 10:9-16), look down somewhat on their brethren for thinking otherwise.

BOTH seem to think they have “Knowledge” and are both potentially “puffed up“.

Correction

Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

Now here we have the beginning of the correction and what we ought to aim towards.

Knowledge in itself and of itself brings pride, it “puffeth up“. 

I love the use of this expression. Something that is puffed up is filled with little but air. 

The leaven or yeast in bread, corrupts the bread by making it appear to have greater volume than it does. It corrupts the bread by PUFFING it up.

 

Instruction In Righteousness

3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 

Regardless of what we like to think of ourselves, the reality is we do not know anything as we ought to know, but to know of a certainty that we are known of God.

This is vital, above everything is this matter. ARE YOU KNOWN OF GOD?

Whether you eat or you don’t eat makes little difference if you are lost. If you stand their proud because you have chosen not to eat certain foods, trusting that God is pleased with you yet you are not known of God…ye are yet in your sins (1 Cor 15:17).

but charity edifieth.

Writes Paul.

Love between brethren is the only option given us. This will require HUMILITY;

The Word “Charity” is used exclusively in the Bible as that Love Between BRETHREN. If you have a modern translation, you have LOST this distinction.

It is not “love in action” as some render it, it is ALWAYS in context a peculiar love between brethren.

It suffers long and is kind;

It does not envy

Does not boast of itself;

Is not puffed up

Does not behave itself unseemly, does not seek her own, is not easily provoked;

It thinks no evil of its brethren (this is that love between those of the family of Christ).

It does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, it bears all things, believes all things, hopes for all things and endures all things (1 Cor 13:4-7).

This requires humility.

It requires LOWLINESS ABOVE OUR LEARNING.

Knowledge puffs up, but humility admits it may not know the fullness of matters as yet.

But the first and most important humility, is in the one who has received Christ;

3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 

Do you KNOW him? More importantly, ARE YOU KNOWN OF HIM?

All your “Knowledge” will come to nought unless you are KNOWN of GOD.

Our Lowliness Above Our Learning

Our Lord Above Our Liturgy

1 Corinthians 8:4-6

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 

Doctrine

You are free to undertake as many liturgical works you wish to take, but none of them bring you any closer to the Lord if you are not known of him.

We are free to do religious things.

Martin Luther climbed the Scala Sancta, traditionally known as Scala Pilati, or the “Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs” located in the Vatican in Rome. 

The 28 marble steps that led to the praetorian of Pontius Pilate where it was believed Jesus stepped during his passion.

Martin Luther, as many others, climbed these steps on bloody knees in religious duty, until suddenly the scripture came to mind which corrected what he THOUGHT HE KNEW.

“THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY HIS FAITH” (Hab 2:4)

“The just shall live by faith” Rom 1:17

“The just shall live by faith” Galatians 3:11

“The Just shall live by faith” Hebrews 10:38

We ought to seek the LORD ABOVE OUR LITURGY.

We ought to be trusting in Christ not on the works we THINK WILL BESTOW GREATER GRACE.

Paul makes clear the vanity of the matter respecting idols and the food offered to them.

we know that an idol is nothing in the world,

This is not something that Christians ought to fear, for there is none other God but one.

Turn to;

1 Corinthians 10:19–22

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

The pagan world and those who offer foods to Idols have little idea that they are offering their sacrifices to devils.

An IDOL is NOTHING.

They are literally fashioned by the hands of a man and there is NO substance in them. 

They have no life, nothing living and therefore nothing that does live can abide in them.

The examples that we have within the scriptures make it plain that devils cannot inhabit anything but a life;

Mark 5:12

12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

We have NO example of a devil inhabiting a stone, a graven or carved image, a molten image, nothing. An IDOL is literally NOTHING.

Reproof

Isaiah 44:14–20

14 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. 15 Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto. 

16 He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: 17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. 19 And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? 20 He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

Correction

Beloved, do not attend to matters religious because they are religious. None shall save his soul by eating or abstaining from eating.

Instruction In Righteousness

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 

We are saved through the gospel by faith and we are to LIVE BY FAITH. 

We are to trust in OUR LORD ABOVE OUR LITURGY.

Do you count rosary beads? Great. If you are saved, it does not matter if you count one or one million, you will not be any more saved.

If you are NOT saved by Christ, if you are NOT Born Again, it does not matter if you count one million or one trillion, you are damned whether you eat or not eat.

This is confirmed FUTHER in the next passage:

We have looked at;

Our Lowliness Above Our Learning

Our Lord Above Our Liturgy

Our Lucidity Above Our Lasciviousness

1 Corinthians 8:7-8

7 Howbeit 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.

Doctrine

There is a clarity of mind that needs to overtake that which we lust after. There must be that which is real, true, absolute and logical in the heart that overtakes matters of the mind.

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.

There are those who hear and learn what it is that you may say respecting idols, and yet if given to eat they do so still believing the food was offered to an idol, their conscience being weak, is then defiled as a result.

Reproof

We must be careful beloved in such matters and to think clearly and biblically, but care must be taken. 

The passage is speaking of food offered to Idols, but it may also apply to other matters also.

Those who believe something to be sinful, to them it IS sinful and having them undertake matters against their conscience will not bring them peace, but condemnation;

Romans 14:14

14 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.

and their conscience being weak is defiled.

Correction

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.

This is the reality. 

We are drawn no closer to the Lord whether we eat or not eat. for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

Instruction In Righteousness

When Paul writes “8 But meat commendeth us not to God:”

He is not limiting the conversation to that which is offered to Idols, but ALL FOODS. 

There is nothing we are to limit ourselves when it comes to food, Jesus clarified the matter.

Turn to Mark 7

In the context of the passage, the Pharisees are rebuking Jesus for allowing his disciples to eat bread with unwashed hands, thinking them defiled in the matter;

Mark 7:14–15

14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

That does not mean that some food might make you sick, it means that there are no foods which defile you, becasue 8 … meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

This beloved is the lucidity that needs to permeate our hearts. 

We must think logically on the matter and see the nature of the scriptures with respect to the Gospel.

We are made pure through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can be NO CLEANER, no cleaner, no purer in his sight.

But our chapter does not conclude until we understand how we are to draw near to our brethren when it comes to such matters.

This last portion adds to the first, this is where LOVE and LIBERTY come together;

We have looked at;

Our Lowliness Above Our Learning

Our Lord Above Our Liturgy

Our Lucidity Above Our Lasciviousness

Our Love Above Our Liberty

1 Corinthians 8:9-13

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 sin 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.

Doctrine

Romans 14:1–23

1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

You see, as mentioned earlier, both think to “have knowledge” that “puffeth up“.

4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. 

14 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. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 

22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Instruction In Righteousness

This chapter in Romans becomes the most perfect commentary on our chapter in 1 Corinthians 8.

It shows that we certainly do have liberty. And it interestingly teaches us that it is the WEAK brother or sister in the Lord that believes themselves limited; not to eat,or to esteem one day out of many. 

Those who are strong in the faith are not so, they know they are saved and eat all foods and esteem every day alike.

But it is our LOVE for our brethren that must thereby take precedence OVER our liberty.

I know I can eat all things, yes even ham and crustaceans, but if I have a brother or a sister who finds it a defilement, I will not eat, not for my sake for for his or hers.

I love them too much to offend them in such matters.

Paul’s concern is the edifying of the Church and the CHARITY we are to have one with another. He will deal again with such love later in the book.

We have looked at;

Our Lowliness Above Our Learning

Our Lord Above Our Liturgy

Our Lucidity Above Our Lasciviousness

Our Love Above Our Liberty

All coming together to show wonderfully both LOVE & LIBERTY.

But ONLY to those who are saved from their sin.

Are you saved?

Are you forgiven?

Do you have eternal life?

If so, you are FREE. 

YOU CAN NEVER BE MORE FREE than being from both the bondage and the condemnation of sin. 

If NOT, 

• no manner of abstinence from defiled food will make you cleaner. 
• No following of any law, 
• no attempt to clean yourself. 
• No matter how much you scrub, you only reveal more filth, more defilement, more than you wish you could hide…but cannot.

Every secret thing will be revealed

Ecclesiastes 12:14

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Only Jesus can wash away your sin.

Will you let him?