Link to Andrew’s video for this Bible Study.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

1 Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; 3 but anyone who loves God is known by him.

4 Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact 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 It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 “Food will not bring us close to God.”[a] We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? 11 So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed.[b] 12 But when you thus sin against members of your family,[c] and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling,[d] I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them[e] to fall.

Discussion Questions – 1 Corinthians 8:1–13
March 18 th , 2020
1) What are your first reactions to the video? What did you learn? What questions
do you have?
2) According to ancient writers, the chief characteristic that defined the people of
Corinth was a problem-solving pragmatism. How does this relate to this selected
reading and why is it important?
3) What is the risk of claiming to have the power of secret knowledge? And what is
the difference between righteous and self-righteousness behavior?
4) The NRSV Bible uses the translation of “weak” to describe certain people in
Corinth. How does your interpretation change knowing that word can also be
translated as “sick”?
5) Augustine claimed that every biblical interpretation should follow the love
commandments—to love God and love neighbor. How does this rule affect your
understanding of 1 Corinthians 8?
6) What advice or lessons do you draw from the study of this passage that are
relevant to our situation today? What would you say is the true meaning of life?