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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:7-13

The apostle, having granted, and indeed confirmed, the opinion of some among the Corinthians, that idols were nothing, proceeds now to show them that their inference from this assumption was not just, namely, that therefore they might go into the idol-temple, and eat of the sacrifices, and feast there with their heathen neighbours. He does not indeed here so much insist upon the unlawfulness of the thing in itself as the mischief such freedom might do to weaker Christians, persons that had not... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

8 With reference to things offered to idols--we are well aware that we all possess knowledge; but knowledge inflates a man, whereas love builds him up. If anyone thinks he has reached a certain stage of knowledge, it is not the kind of knowledge it ought to be. If a man loves God, he is known by God. With regard to food which consists of things offered to idols, we well know that there is nothing in the universe for which an idol stands, and that there is no God but one; and even if the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:12

But when ye sin so against the brethren ,.... Through sitting at meat in an idol's temple, and thereby violating the new commandment of love; by which saints are obliged to love one another as brethren, and take care to do nothing that may hurt and prejudice one another's peace and comfort, it being an incumbent duty upon them by love to serve one another: and wound their weak conscience : as before observed: it is contrary to the law of love to wound a brother; it is an aggravation of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:13

Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend ,.... This is the conclusion of the whole, which the apostle makes with respect to himself, and proposes for the imitation of others; that since an imprudent use of Christian liberty, in this article of eating things offered to idols, might be attended with such bad consequences, as to lay a stumblingblock in the way of weak Christians, and be a means of emboldening them to do things contrary to their consciences, and so break the peace of their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 8:12

But when ye sin so against the brethren - Against Christians, who are called by the Gospel to abhor and detest all such abominations. Ye sin against Christ - By sending to perdition, through your bad example, a soul for whom he shed his blood; and so far defeating the gracious intentions of his sacrificial death. This is a farther intimation, that a person for whom Christ died may perish; and this is the drift of the apostle's argument. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 8:13

Wherefore, etc. - Rather than give any occasion to a Christian to sin against and so to harden his conscience that he should return to idolatry and perish, I would not only abstain from all meats offered to idols, but I would eat no flesh, should I exist through the whole course of time, but live on the herbs of the field, rather than cause my brother to stumble, and thus fall into idolatry and final ruin. The following words of Origen contain a very solemn lesson and warning: "If we did... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 8:12

Verse 12 12.When ye sin so against the brethren, etc. For if the soul of every one that is weak is the price of Christ’s blood, that man who, for the sake of a very small portion of meat, hurries back again to death the brother who has been redeemed by Christ, shows how contemptible the blood of Christ is in his view. Hence contempt of this kind is an open insult to Christ. In what way a weak conscience may be wounded has been already explained — when it is built up in what is evil (1... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 8:13

Verse 13 13.Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend With the view of reproving more severely their disdainful liberty, he declares, that we ought not merely to refrain from a single banquet rather than injure a brother, but ought to give up the eating of meats during our whole life. Nor does he merely prescribe what ought to be done, but declares that he would himself act in this way. The expression, it is true, is hyperbolical, as it is scarcely possible that one should refrain from eating... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

The relation of lore to knowledge with respect to the question of eating idol offerings. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Strength and weakness; knowledge and love. The discussions contained in this chapter relate to "things offered unto idols." Bear in mind that idolatry was not then simply a religious system, but a system immensely extended and covering a corresponding surface of political, social, and business interests. At all points it touched individuals and families, and was connected with feasts, entertainments, and etiquette. "Most public entertainments and many private meals were more or less... read more

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