1 Corinthians 8:7 – The habit of the idol

But not in all is there this knowledge. Now some, used hitherto to the idol, are eating of it as an idol sacrifice, and their conscience, being weak, is being polluted.

Paul previously quoted the Corinthian slogan: “We are aware that we all have knowledge” (:1). But is that true? Certainly, the knowledge that there is “one God the Father” belongs to the ABC of Paul’s teaching. But knowledge and knowledge is two. Suppose a Corinthian had recently turned from the idols to the one GOD (compare 1 Thes. 1:10). Does that mean that he is immediately detached from the tradition of the idol? No, because the habits and ideas with which you were brought up and which were completely self-evident throughout your life are not lost overnight.

All the meat that was for sale in the Corinthian meat hall (10:25) was first offered to the idols. Someone with this background automatically associates meat with idols. With such a past you are vulnerable and weak in this respect. Being harmless meat consumption to another would tarnish your conscience. The new understanding that there are no idols in the world (:4) needs time to sink in. Love gives the other person that time.

Delen: