The meat sacrificed to idols

Paul now turns to the next subject. The next question brought by the representatives from the Corinthian church was, “Is it permissible to eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols?” Do idols impart some harmful influence to the meat? Is such meat spiritually defiled? Will the person who eats it become spiritually defiled? These were the kinds of questions the Corinthian believers were asking. The cities of that time, under the influence of Greek and Roman culture, were filled with pagan temples. There, meat was frequently offered to idols. Normally, the meat was handled in one of the following three ways. (1) A portion was burned on the altar as an offering to the idol. (2) A portion was given to the priests. (3) The remaining portion was taken home by the person who had offered it. Among these, the second category presents the greatest problem. If the priests did not eat their portion, the meat would be sold and distributed in the marketplace. As a result, meat that had been offered to idols was sold in the market and could not be distinguished from ordinary meat. This raised the question of whether believers were permitted to eat such meat. We do not face this exact issue today. However, we can still learn the principles of how Christians should live in the midst of a pagan culture.

Knowledge

Here Paul contrasts knowledge with love. (1) He says, “We all have knowledge.” This knowledge includes the understanding that an idol has no real existence, and that meat offered to an idol does not become spiritually defiled because it has been sacrificed. (2) However, possessing knowledge alone is not enough. It is impossible for anyone to possess all knowledge. If someone thinks that he is wise, he is in fact foolish. (3) No matter how great one’s knowledge may be, if it is not clothed with love, it becomes harmful. Just as Paul says, “Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies” (NASB). (4) If all of a person’s actions flow from love for God, that person is known by God. What can you learn from Paul’s teaching about the relationship between knowledge and love? Let us take time to meditate on it.