1 Corinthians 8:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

NIV: But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.

NASB: However, not all people have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

CSB: However, not everyone has this knowledge. Some have been so used to idolatry up until now that when they eat food sacrificed to an idol, their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

NLT: However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

In some previous letter (1 Corinthians 7:1), the believers in Corinth appear to have pushed back against Paul's teaching to avoid eating food they know to have been offered to idols (1 Corinthians 8:1). He has agreed that the many gods and idols of Corinthian culture are not real: they do not actually exist (1 Corinthians 8:4–5). He understands that many Corinthian Christians know there is only one God.

The problem, though, is that not every Corinthian Christian possessed this knowledge, even though it is true. Strange as that may sound to modern readers, belief in many gods was not a trivial concept in the ancient world. It was fundamental. Many converts to Christianity were deeply involved with idol worship prior to conversion. Paul seems to imply it is difficult for newer Christians in that pagan culture to think of idols as imaginary beings. When presented with idol food, their conscience tells them they are participating again in idolatry. If they eat, they violate their own conscience.

Paul then makes a remark which must be carefully understood, since it comes with powerful implications. He refers to the conscience of one who thinks eating idol food is a form of idolatry as "weak." Based on his prior statements, Paul appears to be saying that the eating of such meats—in and of itself—is not a sin. It's not wrong, since those idols are, in fact, imaginary and meat is just meat (1 Timothy 4:4). This is a key point in understanding this passage: there is no inherent sin in the act being questioned. Ideally, those who suffer from this weakness can grow beyond it.

However, that fact is not meant to be the end of a Christian's thought process. Paul does not condemn those with "weak" consciences for failing to recognize it is okay for Christians to eat idol food. What he does say is that to act in violation of their conscience will "destroy" them. Here, as he did with the Romans, Paul will insist that if someone acts against their conscience, doubting whether their action is pleasing to the Lord or not, he or she is condemned as sinful (Romans 14:23).

The importance of this idea, as it relates to Christian conduct, cannot be overstated. Few things in the Christian life are absolutely and totally forbidden—but all things, always, are subject to a submissive and obedient relationship with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, attitude is what makes something a sin, not the act itself.

First Corinthians 8:1–13 begins Paul's longer response to the question of attending functions in idol temples or eating food offered to idols. This appears to blend Paul's own statements with references to the Corinthians' own remarks. It seems the Corinthians had previously written to Paul saying they are not ''worshiping'' the idols. They know idols don't really exist and that only God is real. Paul replies that the problem here is not lack of knowledge but lack of love. Some brothers and sisters in Christ cannot eat idol food with clear consciences. Those who are stronger risk leading those who are weaker into sin and, in that way, sinning themselves.

Paul responds to Corinthian objections about restrictions on eating in idol temples, or eating food offered to idols. Those were activities deeply integrated into everyday Corinthian society. Paul agrees that idols are nothing and food is only food. The problem is that some Christians from idol-worshiping backgrounds cannot eat idol food with a clear conscience. To do so is sin, for them. If those with stronger consciences—those who understand the truth better—lead their weaker brothers into sin, they themselves will also be guilty of sinning against their brothers and against Christ.

First Corinthians 8 begins Paul's response to another issue raised by the Corinthians. Earlier passages dealt with sexuality; this section discusses idolatry and food. Paul agrees that idols don't truly exist and only God is real. The problem is that some of the less-developed Christians aren't convinced of that. For those believers, they violate their consciences by eating idol food. Even if it's misguided, violating one's conscience is a sin (Romans 14:23). If those with stronger consciences lead these weaker brothers and sisters into sin, they will be guilty of sin themselves. Paul continues to balance liberty with care for others over the next chapters.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.