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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

The apostle comes here to the case of things that had been offered to idols, concerning which some of them sought satisfaction: a case that frequently occurred in that age of Christianity, when the church of Christ was among the heathen, and the Israel of God must live among the Canaanites. For the better understanding of it, it must be observed that it was a custom among the heathens to make feasts on their sacrifices, and not only to eat themselves, but invite their friends to partake with... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:4-6

In this passage he shows the vanity of idols: As to the eating of things that have been sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world; or, there is no idol in the world; or, an idol can do nothing in the world: for the form of expression in the original is elliptical. The meaning in the general is, that heathen idols have no divinity in them; and therefore the Old Testament they are commonly called lies and vanities, or lying vanities. They are merely imaginary gods, and... read more

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 8:1

Now as touching things offered unto idols ,.... This was another of the things the Corinthians wrote to the apostle about, desiring to have his judgment in; it was a controversy that had been before moved, whether it was lawful to eat things that had been sacrificed to idols. This was considered in the council at Jerusalem, Acts 15:28 and it was agreed to, for the peace of the churches, that the Gentiles, among other things, be advised to abstain from them; which, it seems, the church at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:2

And if any man think that he knows anything ,.... Whoever has an opinion of himself, or is conceited with his own knowledge, and fancies that he knows more than he does; which is always the case of those that are elated with their knowledge, and treat others with contempt, and have no regard to their peace and edification: he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know ; if he did, he would know this, that he ought to consult the peace, comfort, and edification of his brother; and therefore... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:3

But if any man love God ,.... As they do, and show it, who love their brethren, and are careful not to grieve them; and make use of their superior knowledge, not for their destruction, but edification: the same is known of him ; is taught by him, made to know more by him; such an one increases in spiritual knowledge, or he is highly approved of, esteemed, and beloved by God: he takes a special and particular notice of him, manifests his love to him, and will own and acknowledge him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:4

As concerning therefore the eating of those things ,.... The apostle having enlarged on the head of knowledge, which those who made an ill use of their Christian liberty urged in favour of their conduct; he returns to the subject in question, in relation to meats, that are offered in sacrifice unto idols . The determinations of the Jewish schools concerning this affair are as follow, which admit of no manner of profit by them in any shape: "a beast, the whole of which they offer to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:5

For though there be that are called gods ,.... That are so by name, though not by nature; who are called so in Scripture, as angels and magistrates, or by men, who give them such names, and account them so: whether in heaven ; as the sun, moon, and stars: or in earth ; as men who formerly lived on earth; or various creatures on earth, who have been accounted deities; or stocks and stones graven by man's device: as there be gods many : almost without number, as were among the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:6

But to us there is but one God, the Father ,.... In this Christians and Jews agree with the best and wisest philosophers of the Gentiles, that there is but one God; which is clear from the perfections of God, as necessary existence, eternity, infinity, omnipotence, all-sufficiency, goodness, and perfection; from one first cause of all things; from the government of the world; and from the writings of the Old and New Testament: so that to us believers this point is out of all doubt; but who... read more

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