Lesson 9. The Gospel: A Message that Builds Up

Day 2

1 Corinthians 8 begins with Paul addressing the Corinthians' inquiry about eating meat previously offered to idols. The Corinthians felt they had knowledge about this issue and were most likely relying on their knowledge and eating food sacrificed to idols at the expense of their immature brothers and sisters. Paul first guided them toward the more excellent way of love, and now we will see how Paul gives them the specific answer to their question.
“So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. 5 There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords. 6 But for us, there is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.”
1 Corinthians 8:4-6
Question 1. In your own words, what does Paul state that an idol is, compared to the Lord?Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Paul succinctly dismissed any concerns about idols. We have one God: “God the Father, by whom all things were created and for whom we live,” and “one Lord, Jesus Christ through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.” In other words, an idol is nothing but a block of wood or a heap of metal, totally irrelevant to the believer.
We find an illustration of the truth that idols are just powerless statues in the Old Testament:
“After the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they took it from the battleground at Ebenezer to the town of Ashdod. 2 They carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon. 3 But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the LORD! So they took Dagon and put him in his place again. 4 But the next morning the same thing happened—Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the LORD again. This time his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact.”
1 Samuel 5:1-4 NLT
Question 2. How does 1 Samuel 5:1-4 NLT evidence that idols are entirely worthless, to be viewed as nothing?Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
The ark was the center of God's presence in the Tabernacle, and where God's presence is, no idol can stand. Idols are nothing; God is everything. Idols are dead; God is alive. As the Psalmist said:
"Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. 5 They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. 6 They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. 7 They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. 8 And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them." 
Psalm 115:4-8
In 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, Paul agreed with the "knowledgeable" Corinthians that they had a right to eat what was previously offered to idols because idols are nothing. But just because we have the right to do something, that we have personal freedom, does not mean it is the best thing to do. In the church, gospel love for others trumps knowledge.
Question 3. Is there anything that you retain as greater knowledge that you could sacrifice out of love for your brothers and sisters? Please share:Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.