The body is one of the central illustrations of the Church in the body. The Church is joined together and we experience pain together. What one of us does has an impact on others in the body. The Church is not to be a collection of individuals. What we say and do has an impact on others. We have freedom but not to live however we like.

There were idols everywhere in Corinth. Food was being sacrificed to idols before being sold. It was a complicated issue. The Jerusalem Council had issued that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols.

1. The central principle (vs. 1-3)

Knowledge puffs up, love builds up.

• Legalists vs. Libertines. Some Christians drink alcohol and others do not. Both groups can be led by pride thinking they have a handle on the truth. Knowledge alone puffs up.
• Love tempers knowledge. It is no good having knowledge without love. There are times when we have to submit out knowledge to love. You can say the right thing, the wrong way. It is humility that applies knowledge in love that builds up the other person. Do we bring people closer to God or drive them away.

2 – The basic truth (vs. 4-6)

There is one God. The idols do not exist. The idols are not real gods.

• Christianity a particular faith. Christianity does not have many paths to God. It is an exclusive faith. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ.
• Idol worship unreal yet all too real. Idols are copies of the real thing. They can take you into the sphere of spiritual warfare. We can be spiritually oppressed.

3 – A significant consideration (vs. 7-13)

Those for who Christ died. Some people are brought up in idols and know nothing different. Some who came out of idol worship may seek to avoid it.

• A strong Christian’s freedom may be a stumbling block to the weak Christian.
• See fellow Christians as those for whom Christ died. We may need to give up our freedom if it will cause others to stumble. Those who are mature will allow their knowledge to be guided by love.

Categories: 1 Corinthians