1 Cor. 8:1–11:1 Because pagan temples offered animal parts in sacrifice to the gods, they also often functioned as butcher shops and banqueting halls. Sometimes meals for trade guilds, clubs, and private dinner parties were held in a temple dining room. Often meat from a temple was sold to the public in the marketplace. Paul gives clear guidance about the use of such food. He first urges the Corinthians not to eat in pagan temples (8:10) because it might lead to the destruction of a weaker brother or sister (ch. 8). He then offers himself as an example of giving up something one is convinced is a right for the spiritual edification of others (ch. 9). He urges the Corinthians not to eat in pagan temples because doing so is idolatry (10:1–22). Finally, he says that eating meat purchased in the marketplace (which may have come from a pagan temple) is not wrong unless it hinders the advancement of the gospel (10:23–11:1).
1 Cor. 8:1 food offered to idols. Since only part of an animal was used in sacrifices to pagan gods, much of the animal could still be eaten. “all of us possess knowledge.” Here the quotation marks indicate that the Corinthians probably used this statement in their earlier letter and Paul is now responding to it (see 1:12; 3:4; 6:12; 13; 7:1; 8:4; 10:23). What the Corinthians “know” is explained in 8:4.
1 Cor. 8:4–6 Paul agrees with what the Corinthians know, that idols do not represent real “gods.” There is only one God. Since he is the creator of the animals that pagan priests offer to nonexistent gods, eating this meat is not a problem (see also 10:19–20, 25–26). Paul later distinguishes between eating at a temple dinner (which, as a religious event, is idolatry) and eating meat bought in the marketplace.
1 Cor. 8:8 Those who had the supposedly superior “knowledge” (vv. 1, 4) that permitted them to participate in dinners held at pagan temples may have thought that this knowledge gave them special standing with God.
1 Cor. 8:9 this right of yours. Paul is speaking from the Corinthians’ perspective (10:7, 14, 20–22). They should choose not to use this “right,” out of concern for the spiritual well-being of the person whose conscience is weak (8:7). stumbling block. See Rom. 14:13, 20.
1 Cor. 8:10–11 eating in an idol’s temple. See note on 8:1–11:1. Paul elsewhere uses destroyed to mean eternal destruction (Rom. 2:12; 1 Cor. 1:18; 15:18; 2 Cor. 2:15; 4:3). Some interpreters take Paul’s use of the term here in the same sense. Others see this as a reference to moral harm done to the weaker brother (his conscience “is defiled,” 1 Cor. 8:7).
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