Don’t Cause Others to Stumble – 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (CSB)
Paul tackles a challenging issue in the early church—eating meat offered to idols. He begins by addressing the pride that often accompanies knowledge.
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (CSB)
“Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘we all have knowledge.’ Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. But if anyone loves God, he is known by him.”
Paul warns that knowledge can lead to pride, puffing us up, while love builds others up. If we think we know something, we should think again and focus on loving God and others, not on being right.
Paul agrees there’s only one true God, so idols—and meat offered to them—are nothing. Food itself doesn’t matter spiritually. But what about believers recently redeemed from idol worship, whose consciences are sensitive to this practice?
1 Corinthians 8:9-10 (CSB)
“But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, the one who has knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, won’t his weak conscience be encouraged to eat food offered to idols?”
Our actions can lead those with sensitive consciences to violate their own convictions, causing them to stumble.
1 Corinthians 8:11-13 (CSB)
“So the weak person, the brother or sister for whom Christ died, is ruined by your knowledge. Now when you sin like this against brothers and sisters and wound their weak conscience, you are sinning against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother or sister to fall, I will never again eat meat, so that I won’t cause my brother or sister to fall.”
Paul reminds us that Christ died for every believer, even those with “weaker” consciences. When we prioritize our knowledge over their well-being, we sin not only against them but against Christ Himself. Paul challenges us to set aside our “right to be right.” A strong believer, full of knowledge, may lack love if their actions cause others to stumble. Because Jesus died for all, we must build each other up, even if it costs us our liberty.
Knowledge without love can divide the church. While growing in God’s truth is vital, it must be paired with compassion. Let’s prayerfully consider: Are we using our knowledge to foster unity and encouragement, or are we creating stumbling blocks for others?
