1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Food Sacrificed to Idols?

What does this have to do with us? In Western culture you can’t really find any food that has been sacrificed to an idol. Furthermore, if you did find such food you would have a hard time finding anyone who cared. 

It was very different in Paul’s culture. When food was sacrificed to an idol it was thought that the “god” behind the idol would inhabit that food. Therefore, when some ate such food they would “literally” become one with that “god”. This was a selling point for the food. If you wanted to become one with god X you would buy food that had been sacrificed to god X. You might pay a premium but, hey, you got to hook up with god X. 

This would seem to eliminate believers in Christ from wanting eat such food but there might be an occasion where a friend invited them over, or maybe it was the only meat available. Some believers began to reason, “Wait a minute. There really isn’t anything to this god X. This is just food. Of course I can eat it!” Not every believer saw it that way. What to do?

OK, so what does this have to do with us? This literal issue? Almost certainly nothing. The principle behind the answer to this issue? That’s got a lot to do with us.

As far as who is right, the go ahead and eat the meat people are “right”. But there is more to it than being “right”. You see, knowledge puffs up but love builds up. In other words, being “right” only makes you look big or good. Love is the real thing. 

As long as it is not expressly prohibited by the scriptures may do whatever your conscience allows you to do. Only be sure to move in love toward others because to not move in love is never right.