Year of the Bible

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Commentary on the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 8:

Pauls turns to the next question the community at Corinth has asked him, if Christian believers should eat food (mostly likely meat) that had been offered in sacrifice to idols (vs 1). Paul presents multiple ways to consider this question of Christian practice. First, since God is the only true god, the “so-called gods” (idols) do not actually exist (vs. 4-7) and cannot be influenced by eating or not eating (vs. 8).  At the same time, there are non-believers or newer believers (the “weak”) who might think that the idols are truly “gods” and influenced by food sacrifices. For these people in Corinth, seeing a Christian eat meat offered to “so-called gods” could cause confusion about what faith in Jesus means or be a temptation to partake in idolatry (vs. 9-12). A Christian should discern their choice in a particular situation with the utmost concern for the “weaker” among them (vs. 13).

First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 8:

Food Offered to Idols

1 Now concerning food offered to idols:* we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” “Knowl­edge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if one loves God, one is known by him.
4 Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real exis­tence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so­ called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being until now accustomed to idols, eat food as really offered to an idol; and their conscience, be­ing weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if any one sees you, a man of knowl­edge, at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

*Daily Lectio Divina Question:

In this chapter, Paul shows us how our actions can wound the consciences of others which is a sin against Christ. (v. 12) Lord, how do my actions affect the faith of others?

Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006). Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this. If you're looking for a good Catholic edition of the Bible, look no further