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. (1 Corinthians 8:7-13 KJV)
Commentary
The apostle, having confirmed the opinion of some among the Corinthians that idols were nothing, now shows that their conclusion was wrong—namely, that therefore they might go into idol temples and eat of the sacrifices with their heathen neighbors. He does not focus here so much on the sinfulness of the act itself, but on the harm such liberty could cause to weaker Christians who did not have the same level of knowledge.
Every Christian at that time was not fully convinced that an idol was nothing. “However, there is not in every man this knowledge; for some, with conscience of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol” (1 Corinthians 8:7). Though converted to Christianity, some were not completely freed from their former superstitions and retained a lingering respect for idols. Weak Christians may have only a partial or confused understanding of even the plainest truths.
Some converts from heathenism still felt reverence for their old idols. When they ate things offered to idols, they did not do so to show contempt for idolatry, but rather out of lingering veneration. Thus, their weak conscience was defiled, and they became guilty of idolatry, whereas the gospel was meant to turn men from lifeless idols to the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). We should therefore be careful not to do anything that might cause weak Christians to defile their consciences.
He then reminds them that eating and drinking have nothing in themselves virtuous or sinful, nothing that makes a person better or worse before God. “Food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse” (1 Corinthians 8:8). Some Corinthians seemed to take pride in eating what had been offered to idols, perhaps even in the idol temples (1 Corinthians 8:10), thinking it proved their enlightenment. But eating and drinking are indifferent matters; what we eat neither sanctifies nor defiles us (Mark 7:18-19). It is a serious mistake to think that the kind of food we eat makes any difference in our standing before God.
He cautions them against misusing their liberty. Even if they believed they had freedom in this matter, they must be careful how they used it, because it might become a stumbling block to weaker believers (1 Corinthians 8:9). Seeing them eat in an idol’s temple could lead others—whose understanding was weak—to imitate them, not as an act of Christian liberty but out of reverence for the idol. This could cause them to fall into idolatry or even turn away from Christ.
Paul explains the danger: “If anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?” (1 Corinthians 8:10). Such an example could easily lead a weaker brother into sin. Therefore, believers must avoid doing anything that might cause others to stumble.
He strengthens this warning with two reasons. First, there is danger to the weak believers, even those for whom Christ died. “And through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?” (1 Corinthians 8:11). We should rather deny ourselves what is lawful than endanger a soul Christ has redeemed. Those whom Christ purchased with His precious blood should be precious to us. If He loved them enough to die for them, we should love them enough to avoid anything that might harm their faith. Anyone who would rather see his brother perish than give up his liberty shows little of Christ’s spirit. Those who have the Spirit of Christ will love His people, seek their spiritual good, and avoid anything that might lead them into sin.
Second, harm done to believers is harm done to Christ Himself. “When you sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ” (1 Corinthians 8:12). Injuring Christians is injuring Christ, especially when it involves wounding their conscience. Christ has a special care for the weak and tender believers: “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm and carry them in His bosom” (Isaiah 40:11). Strong Christians, therefore, must be careful not to offend or discourage the weak. Shall we have no compassion for those Christ cherishes? Shall we sin against Christ Himself by leading astray those for whom He died?
Paul concludes with his own example: “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble” (1 Corinthians 8:13). He does not mean he would refuse to eat any food necessary for life, but rather that he would willingly abstain from meat as long as he lived if it might cause a brother to sin. He valued the soul of his brother above his own liberty and was willing to deny himself any lawful pleasure rather than cause another believer to stumble.
We should likewise be cautious about anything that might become a stumbling block to others, even if it is innocent in itself. Christian liberty is valuable, but love for a weaker brother should sometimes compel us to restrain it. We must not insist on exercising our rights at the expense of another’s soul, for that would be sin against Christ. If we must take care not to cause others to sin, how much more careful should we be to avoid sin ourselves! If we must not endanger another’s soul, how much more should we guard our own.