Liberty a Stumbling-Block 1 Corinthians 8:9

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “meat commends us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse”, and in chapter eight and verse nine of First Corinthians as he shared how, “this liberty of” the church members was not to “become a stumbling-block to them that are weak” where we read:

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak.

The verse begins, “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours ...” Paul began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “take heed” or “discern, perceive and see with the mind's eye” “lest” which means “that perhaps or haply” “by any means” which means “somehow or anyhow” “this liberty” or “this power of choice, doing as one pleases and authority or influence” “of yours” which means “of the church members in Corinth”. Paul cautioned the church members who were “free” to “eat” of “meats” offered to “idols”.

The verse continues, “...become a stumbling-block to them that are weak.” Paul added the word, “become” or “come to be, pass or happen as” “a stumbling-block” which means “an obstacle in the way which if one strikes his foot against he stumbles or falls and over which a soul stumbles by which they are caused to sin” “to them” or “to other church members within Corinth” “that are weak” which means “that are feeble and infirmed”. The reason for Paul's caution to the church members who had “liberty” to “eat meats offered to idols” was because their freedom might cause a “weaker” brother or sister in the faith to “sin”.

When we think through these words from Paul, we discover his care for those within the church who were “weaker” in their faith. A “stumblingblock” caused a person to “trip” or “stumble”, and spiritually this meant the “stronger in faith” person in the church might cause the “weak” one to enjoy the same “liberty” and feel condemned. Jesus Christ cares for everyone within the church, and though some may be “free” to eat meats and other's not, neither was to “stumble” the other and especially those who were “strong”. May the Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit help us to know when we may be free in our “liberties”, but also be aware when our “liberty” may “stumble” someone else.

Next time Paul continues his exhortation as he asks the Corinthians to consider, “if any man see you which has knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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