1 Corinthians 8:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:1-11

The two guides—knowledge and love. I. THEY ARE BOTH EXCELLENT . This requires no proof. The apostle who sat at the feet of Gamaliel, would have been the last to speak slightingly of real knowledge. We are made capable of an ever increasing knowledge. How much knowledge has been the means of accomplishing in this world I Ignorance is but a "fool's paradise;" "Knowledge is power." And how excellent is love. How dull and sad this world would be without it! How much more prolific in... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

On the eating of sacrifices offered to idols: liberty and expediency. Another of those questions which troubled the Christian community at Corinth comes up here for consideration. To understand the difficulties connected with it we must bear in mind that the religious worship of the pagans entered largely into their social life. The victims offered in sacrifice to the gods were not entirely consumed on the altar. A portion went to the priests, and the remainder was either given to the poor... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 8:1

Now as touching - In regard to; in answer to your inquiry whether it is right or not to partake of those things.Things offered unto idols - Sacrifices unto idols. Meat that had been offered in sacrifice, and then either exposed to sale in the market, or served up at the feasts held in honor of idols, at their temples, or at the houses of their devotees. The priests, who were entitled to a part of the meat that was offered in sacrifice, would expose it to sale in the market; and it was a custom... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

1 Corinthians 8:1-3. Now As to the next question you proposed, namely, touching things offered Meats sacrificed, and so consecrated; unto idols When the heathen offered sacrifices of such animals as were fit for food, a part of the carcass was burned on the altar, a part was given to the priest or priests, and on the remainder the offerers feasted with their friends, either in the idol’s temple or at home. Sometimes also a part was sent as a present to such as they wished to oblige, and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

8:1-11:1 FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLSIn Corinth, as in other places, temples were not just religious centres but also popular eating places. This created problems for the Christians, because the food was usually first offered to idols and Christians were not sure whether they should eat it. A related problem concerned food they bought in the market, for it also may have been first offered to idols. These are the issues Paul now deals with, though they lead him to the more important issue of the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 8:1

as touching = concerning. App-104 . things, &c . = the things offered to idols. Greek. eidolothutos. See Acts 15:29 . This was another subject about which they had written. know . App-132 . all . i.e. the greater part. Figure of speech Idioma. App-6 . knowledge . App-132 . puffeth up . Greek. phusioo. See 1 Corinthians 4:6 . This sentence and the next two verses form a parenthesis. charity = love. App-135 . edifieth = buildeth up. Greek. orkodomeo. See Acts 9:31 . Contrast... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 8:1

1 COR. 8Beginning here and through 1 Corinthians 11:1, this epistle discusses food (especially meat) sacrificed to idols; and in the culture and society of the people who first received it the problems here dealt with were paramount and practically universal. The total meat supply, in any practical sense, came from the sacrifices to the idol gods of the Gentiles, a portion of each sacrifice being the perquisite of the pagan priest, and the rest of it consumed in the temple area itself, carried... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 8:1

1 Corinthians 8:1. Now as touching things, &c.— This chapter is concerning the eating of things offered to idols: wherein one may guess by St. Paul's answer, that they had written to him; that they knew their Christian liberty herein; that they knew that an idol was nothing, and therefore argued that they did well to shew their knowledge of the nullity of the heathen gods, and their disregard of them, by eating promiscuously, and without scruple, things offered to them. Upon which the... read more

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