Not Everyone Knows 1 Corinthians 8:7

Paul the apostle shared how “there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we are in him”. He added, “and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him”, and in chapter eight and verse seven of First Corinthians as he shared how, “there is not in every man that knowledge” where we read:

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.

The verse begins, “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;” Paul began with the word, “Howbeit” which means “nevertheless and notwithstanding” “there is not in every man” “not each, all, any, all, the whole and everyone has” “that knowledge” which means “the deeper more perfect and enlarged understanding and wisdom”: “for some” which means “because certain ones” “with conscience” or “distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter while commending one and condemning the other” “of the idol” which refers to “image that represents the form of an object either real or imaginary” “unto this hour” or “until just now or at this moment” “eat it” which means “consume and devour the thing sacrificed” “as a thing offered unto an idol” which is all one Greek word “eidōlothytos” which means “the flesh left over from the heathen sacrifices”. Some people do not realize there is only “one God” and His Son Jesus Christ, and therefore when they ate things “sacrificed” to “idols” their “consciences” convicted them.

The verse goes on to say, “and their conscience being weak is defiled.” Paul continued the words, “and their conscience” or “that which distinguishes between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter while commending one and condemning the other” “being weak” which means “in a state of infirmity and feebleness” “is defiled” or “is polluted, stained and contaminated”. Because they are “weak” in their faith, when they are “convicted” in their “consciences” they considered themselves “polluted and stained”.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see how he isolates some people whom he called “weak” in their “consciences” because they thought themselves “defiled” if they partook of the “flesh” sacrifices which were offered to “idols”. Paul established the absence of value to the other “gods and lords” which were “made up” by people, and therefore, the offerings to them had not effect as well. However, some people within the church who were “infirmed and feeble” had “consciences” that would not allow them to be free in their relationship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Though there were people within the church of Corinth who were “weak”, Paul did not desire that they remain that way. As they understood there was no value in other “gods”, they would be less inclined to feel “polluted” from “eating things offered to idols”.

Next time Paul tells the Corinthians, “meat does not commend us to God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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