It Starts Small

Idols and the cultural rituals was a major problem at that time Paul wrote to the Corinthians. There were all kinds of idols. Merchants had turned it into a trade and promoted them to people. Likely most houses contained their own idol. Certain rituals were practiced when worshiping the idols. One of these was food sacrifices. This is also done in China today. The idea is to offer food to somehow appease the idol. Typically meat was offered at a local pagan temple. Because the temple didn’t have use for so much, much of this meat found its way back on the market. So sometimes a person might know they were eating the food sacrificed to idols. Other times they might not. When Christians came out of this environment, they naturally wondered about their involvement in these practices. They questioned if it was OK to eat the food sacrificed to idols.

The Corinthians may have expected Paul to say, yes, eat the food, or no, do not eat the food. But Paul’s answer was not that clear cut. We will see a bit later if it was acceptable or not to eat the food. His first point is unrelated to eating. His first point is the importance of love over knowledge. Paul and many other mature believers knew that eating it was not a big deal. He also realized the principle at play was more important. This principle was love, specifically love towards the brothers and sisters.

Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.

Knowledge has a tendency to puff one up and make them prideful. Knowledge tends to make one look down on others and consider that he is superior. A person who knows that it is OK to eat this kind of food may look down on the other brothers. They might think those brothers are wrong. This attitude arises from feeling superior because they understand the truth. They might think those brothers are wrong and consider themselves superior because they understand the truth. This is completely the wrong attitude. Knowing the Corinthian church, it is very likely they split into two groups on this issue. Both groups looked down on and criticized each other. That is exactly what Paul wanted to avoid. If he had simply said “eating food sacrificed to idols is OK,” the group would feel more puffed up. They would then say “I told you so.” Knowledge and right doctrine are important. Equally important is living them out in our life to honor God.

Read that again! What was Paul’s first message? Living a life that honors God is more important than knowledge!

The principle is to use our knowledge in a loving way. It does not mean we ignore the truth and compromise on issues for the sake of loving each other. Rather, it means we should not use our knowledge as an excuse to look down on others. Instead, we need to combine our love and knowledge.

 ² If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. 

1 Corinthians 8:2

From verse 2 we know that our knowledge is incomplete. One day, when we see Christ, we will have much more complete knowledge. We will realize that all of our petty arguments and divisions were stupid. Also, this does not mean that we can not form convictions based on God’s word. We can and should where God’s Word is clear. But where it is not clear, we should not let our different interpretations divide us. We should have an open mind. Also, we must not be prideful because our knowledge is still very minimal.

Christians sometimes exalt knowledge, but love, not knowledge, is the most important mark of a Christian. Jesus didn’t say “all Christians will know that you are my disciple, if you have great knowledge” or “if you have more knowledge than others”. He said it was by love. Love is the mark of a believer (see John 13:34-35)

⁴ About eating food sacrificed to idols, then, we know that “an idol is nothing in the world,” and that “there is no God but one.” ⁵ For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth—as there are many “gods” and many “lords”— ⁶ yet for us there is one God, the Father. All things are from him, and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.

1 Corinthians 8:4-6

These verses tell us the “knowledge” of eating or not eating the food. It is OK to eat because the idols are not real. They can not contaminate the food. These “gods” are not real gods at all. Therefore the food sacrificed to these idols is harmless. Idols are fake. Eating food set before an idol is just like eating food set before a computer or a block of wood. It is harmless.

Idols are fakes. They are created by men and for men.

Now days most people don’t make their own idols, but it is just as foolish. A man has some money. With his money, he goes shopping. He buys some clothes and he buys some food. With the leftover money, he decides to buy an idol. There are rows upon rows sold in the market. They showcase a variety of figures and styles. He chooses his favorite one. He feels a strange sense of satisfaction in the selection process. After giving the money, he carries the idol home with a sense of pride. He carefully places it in a prominent spot in his house. It’s as if it were a treasured possession. Every day the dust gathers. The man faithfully cleans off the idol. He smooths its surface. He arranges the small offerings he places beside it. He believes it somehow merits his respect and care. He lights a small candle nearby, hoping for a glimmer of attention from what he considers divine. This routine continues endlessly, almost as a ritual. However, it is foolish to think that this lifeless figure could offer any guidance or support. An idol cannot even take care of itself. In contrast, God created the entire world. He designed the intricate balance of nature and the profound depths of human experience. There is no comparison. People like to make small gods for several reasons. They are often driven by a desire for control or comfort. They seek to encapsulate the divine into manageable forms. This only highlights their misunderstanding of true spirituality and the grandeur of the universe.

So what are the “gods” and “lords”? Many gods and many lords means that there are many of these so-called gods, not a few. Some of these are complete fakes, constructed from the imaginations of people seeking answers to the mysteries of life. Others may be influenced by demons. This influence contributes to superstitions and beliefs. It creates an elaborate facade that captures the devotion of the unsuspecting. But none was actually deity in the true sense, as they lack the inherent qualities that constitute genuine divinity. People’s belief in these fake gods significantly shapes cultures and societies throughout history. It drives rituals and customs. Although rooted in illusion, these practices bolster community bonds. Although the god is not real, people believe he is real. They often attribute characteristics to him that align with their own desires and fears. Therefore, this imaginary god also exerts a lot of influence, shaping moral codes and ethical frameworks within societies. This influence is actually a reaction to what people imagine to be god. It represents a fascinating interplay between belief and cultural identity. This interplay reflects humanity’s deep-seated need for understanding and connection in an often chaotic world.

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