October 30, 2024–Pastor’s Bill Reading Plan

October 30   1 Corinthians 8

Paul addresses an issue regarding meat sacrificed to idols.  There were two ways people were handling this issue in the Corinth.  Some of the people believed that since idols are nothing then meat sacrificed to idols is simply meat.  The sacrifice was foolishness, but it was not real.  Their point was I can eat this meat because nothing really happened at all because there are no other gods there.

There were others who felt that meat that was offered to idols should not be eaten.  They felt it was wrong to eat such meat because of its use in idolatry.  They felt it was sin, and their personal conviction would be violated to eat meat sacrificed to idols.

Paul's focus on the issue is on love.  Love for your fellow brothers and sisters will not allow your freedom to become a problem for someone else.  If their conscience and conviction is that they should not eat meat sacrificed to idols you certainly should not serve it to them for supper. It would also be loving to not eat it yourself in their presence.  Paul said he would give up meat completely if it would cause his brother to stumble.