1 Corinthians 8:7-13 NIV

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 8:7

Howbeit, there is not in every man that knowledge ,.... The apostle is not speaking of Heathens, in whom there was no knowledge of the one true God, the author of all things, and of the one Lord Jesus, the only saviour and Redeemer; but of Christians, in whom there was the knowledge of these things, but not in all of them; the knowledge of this, that an idol was nothing; for though they knew that an idol was not God, and had no true deity in it, nor was it any true representation of God, yet... read more

John Gill

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

But meat commendeth us not to God ,.... These words are said by the apostle, either as expressing the argument of such as had knowledge in favour of themselves, that what they did was a thing indifferent, by which they were made neither better nor worse; nor did they look upon it as meritorious, or expect any favour from God on account of it, and therefore were not to be blamed for using their liberty in the manner they did: or else they are spoken by him as his own sense: and the meaning... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:9

But take heed lest by any means ,.... This is either a reply to the instance of such as argued in favour of eating things offered to idols; or a limitation and explanation of the apostle's own concession, that it made a man, with respect to the favour of God, neither better nor worse: yet care should be taken, lest this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak ; he owns they had a liberty, or a right, or power, as the word may be rendered, of eating, or not eating,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:10

For if any man see thee which hast knowledge ,.... That is, not any person whatever; not one that has equal knowledge, and can with a good conscience take the same liberty; but one that is weak in the faith, that has not such a clear sight of the doctrine of Christian liberty: if such an one should observe one that is famous for his superior abilities, learning, and knowledge, sit at meat in the idol's temple ; or at table, or at a feast, where, it seem, after the sacrifice was over, a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:11

And through thy knowledge ,.... These words contain an aggravation of the sin such persons are guilty of, who are the means, by their example, of ensnaring weak minds, and causing them to stumble and fall, even in some sense so as to perish: shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died ? every word almost carries in it an exaggeration of this matter; it is not some slight injury that is done to the person, but even causing him to "perish"; and this is not said of any person, but a... 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 8:7

There is not in every man that knowledge - This is spoken in reference to what is said, 1 Corinthians 8:4 ; : We know that an idol is nothing in the world; for some with a conscience of the idol, viz. that it is something, eat it - the flesh that was offered to the idol, as a thing thus offered, considering the feast as a sacred banquet, by which they have fellowship with the idol. And their conscience being weak - not properly instructed in Divine things, is defiled - he performs what he... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:7

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8:11

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 8:7

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