1 Corinthians 8:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.

NIV: But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

NASB: Now food will not bring us close to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.

CSB: Food will not bring us close to God. We are not worse off if we don't eat, and we are not better if we do eat.

NLT: It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.

KJV: But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

NKJV: But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

Some in Corinth are challenging Paul's teaching about not eating food they know has been offered to false gods and idols (1 Corinthians 8:1). After all, they have argued, we all know the idols are fake gods and that only God is real (1 Corinthians 8:4).

Paul has answered that even though this knowledge is true (1 Corinthians 8:5–6), it is not universally understood. Some Corinthian converts to Christianity have a background of idol worship. After a lifetime of belief in multiple gods and the power of idols, some of those new believers struggle to be convinced the idols are not real entities. Those people cannot eat idol food with a clear conscience, because their conscience is "weak" (1 Corinthians 8:7).

Paul now agrees with those challenging him that the "weak" view of idol food is false. Food is just food. Eating one thing and not another, in and of itself, does not matter to God. It is neutral, as everything God has made can be used for some good and proper purpose (1 Timothy 4:4). There is no sin absolutely tied to any specific food or drink. Part of the discipleship process, over time, would be growth that includes a "strong" understanding of Christian liberty.

That does not—at all—mean that there are no boundaries for the believer. Paul will clarify that our motive for eating and whether we eat with a clear conscience before God matters a great deal. In other writings, Paul will state directly that any action taken without faith that it's acceptable to God is, thanks to violation of conscience, a sin (Romans 14:23). That is the perspective missed by those challenging Paul on this issue.

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.