Pastor Ralph Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Q1. (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) The 'liberal' Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted April 7, 2014 Report Share Posted April 7, 2014 The excuses I see here: Vs.1. We possess superior knowledge. We know what we’re doing. Vs.4. Idols aren’t real gods and food is just food. We’re only there to eat a meal at the party. Vs.4. God is the only true God. We’re highly spiritual people. Don’t worry! Paul returned to one key theme of this letter to the Corinthians. There’s truth in each of those excuses, but knowledge of what’s true can be used foolishly without the guidance of spiritual wisdom, the righteous application of what we know. Yes, we know that in Christ, we have marvelous liberty from the legalism of Law. But liberty is never unhindered license to do whatever we want. As I told my children when they each first set out to drive alone, every freedom comes with a responsibility. Knowledge is not the supreme accomplishment, because it is incomplete and dangerous without accountability to love. The thing that’s missing here, which is a major factor to consider when evaluating our own reasons and excuses, is that attribute of love. Paul gave us the loving question to ask: Does this decision I’m making build others up? Or is it a selfish and prideful choice for my own pleasure or benefit regardless of impact to others? As members of one Body in the unity of Christ, we have a responsibility for how our behavior affects others within the Body. Even if there’s nothing “technically wrong” with something we want to do, if it will have a negative influence or if it appears really questionable to less mature believers who would struggle or fall or be confused because of it, then we need to respect that. They are watching us to see what being a follower of Christ is supposed to look like, to see how the ideals and concepts of Christian faith plays out in practical life, to see if this new life in Christ is authentic and trustworthy. In other words, they’re watching for hypocrisy. So, are we willing to sacrifice self-desires and pride because of love for Christ and others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvoryEagle Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 The "liberal" Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? "Paul begins by addressing the Corinthians' pride and sense of superiority regarding their "knowledge" (gnosis) of these matters of eating food in pagan temples. "1b We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks268 he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God." (8:1-3)" Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? Align it with the Bible What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians? They will do likewise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwalane Mofokeng Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 Q1. (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) The "liberal" Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? 1) The knowledge ("they know it all") 2)Idols is nothing at all in the world 3)There is only one God the Father who created all things and for whom we live and one Lord Jesus Christ through whom we live. Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? Aligning it with the word of God What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians? He will become bold enough to do it too although all the time he still feels it is wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delivered Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 Q1. (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) The "liberal" Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? They had "KNOWLEDGE" that everything was permitted, but knowledge that is not established on its foundation, its motivation, which is that of "love" will not edify - knowledge without "love" can puff up or build one up wrongly, whereas, knowledge established on love will build up correctly, it will motivate one to come out of that of pleasing "SELF" and its inconsiderate behavior unto that of caring for others, so that knowledge will not bring damage to those who are weak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parkerslope Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 The "liberal" Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verses 1-6? They understood that idols were nothing but pieces of rock, stone, wood, or cloth set up to resemble some "god". And because of this knowledge, they felt that is was alright to eat any meat, not thinking about the conscience of the new believer. They had become "know it alls" concerning godly knowledge. Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess validity of our excuses? We must know what God's Word says about having a godly lifestyle, knowing that what we do is watch by others. We must realize that not all things that are lawful are the best to do and exercise love in doing it. What effect would observing your behavior have on new believers? A Christian's lifestyle must be drawn from the Bible. Therefore we need to realize that we are not invisible, but open and observed by others and Jesus is judged by what we do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinstonY Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 Question 8.1 Paul first addressed the cliche , we all possess knowledge amd as the corinthians felt that they had superior knowledge therefor they could distinguish what was right. With their supreme knowledge they knew that there is only one God and that idols were just wood and Stone and they could not see the damage to new christians. We can address question able behavior by using the ancient creed (deut 6 ) which Paul quotes in vetse 6. If we are like the corinthians then our behavior has a bad effect up8n the new. However, if we use the creed quoted by Paul and live through Jesus Christ through whom all things exist and through whom we exist than our actions will be in accordance to christ's And we will be a positive influence upon the church, new and old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sank T Monius Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 1 Corinthians 8:1-8Q). The "liberal" Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6?A). These "liberal" theology Corinthians believe that idols are not real beings and that what we eat is immaterial to our faith. They are feasting with their friends in pagan temples and flaunting their freedom to do so before some new converts to the Christian faith who have turned their back on pagan worship. By their actions and superior attitude, these "liberal" theology Christians are encouraging the new believers to go back to the temples and take up what they had renounced.#Q). Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses?A). We can assess the validity of our excuses by comparing them with the Word of God.#Q). What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians?A). Observing my behavior would cause the new Christians to believe that it's okay to sometimes be neglectful in their faith walk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bondservantmccue Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 The "liberal" Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? They were worried about their standing in the community and pleasing other's. They New the truth about the sacrifice unto pages idols, but in their pride forgot about those new converts seeing them doing forbidden acts. God will not accept confusion in His people. It would be like someone inviting me to a topless bar for a birthday party, God forbid. Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? I have a simple solution for anything questionable in my life. "Could i see Jesus doing what I am about to do, if not, I leave i along." What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians? People are watching our lives and for me to not walk my talk will be a stumbling fora New convert would be a disaster. You will not enter heaven with bloody hands. How Bless. Brother Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Q1. (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) The "liberal" Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviours. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? What effect would observing your behaviour have on new Christians? The problem which confronted the Christians was whether they could take part in feasts or eat food that had been offered to an idol, or to a pagan god. For, if they refused, they could easily be cut off entirely from all social occasions with disastrous consequences in those times. Paul mentions that the ‘liberal’ Christians were more learned about food offered to idols. They all knew, for instance, that by offering meat to an idol had not changed the food in anyway. Also that an idol had no power as such, in fact the gods behind the idols did not even exist. Therefore, if being more mature in our Christian walk, we have to be careful not to cause any new believers to stumble by our behaviour. We may know certain truths which the new believer have not yet learned or come across, and it is this that may damage their faith or even result in them going against what they subconsciously believe to be right. Paul warns that knowledge in itself is not a sufficient guide in these matters; but rather that we act out of brotherly love. He also warns us that there is the danger that knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanMary Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Q1. (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) The 'liberal' Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? The Corinthians answered in an intellectual manner...that they knew the difference between truth and error, and that idols were mere "things" to be unconcerned about. Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? We can make excuses for things we know are questionable that we really want to do, like the Corinthians. Like them, we have the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. We just need to ask Him if we are unsure about a particular activity or action. What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians? If I were to persist in something which is questionable, I may cause a new believer to stumble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion of Grace Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 The liberal Christians excused eating in the various pagan god temples or eating food sacrificed to these idols because they "knew" that the "gods" were nothing at all, therefore the food offered to them was acceptable to eat. They acknowledged that they worshiped the One True God and so they dismissed any part in pagan worship from their minds. They thought it important to celebrate different occasions with friends and families and they justified where they celebrated and what they ate with their true "knowledge" of God. They were very prideful though of such knowledge and were arrogant in flaunting their behavior even though they knew it caused confusion in other new believers. Sometimes we excuse our own behavior. We can be sure of the validity of what we should truly be doing by aligning it to the word of God but that is not enough. It should be our foundation to make sure we are living truth, but like the Corinthians in this lesson, we should make sure love is the basic motive. These Corinthians were stubbornly living for themselves because they knew they had the "right" but they totally ignored relationship, extending love and a humble example to the new Christians who were struggling with this. They in essence were causing them to stumble and maybe even fall away because of their behaviors. They failed terribly in the law of love and we can too if we are not careful to consider the whole of scripture and what it means to truly live a life of Christ. Every new believer ( I did this when I first came to believe) is very quick to watch behavior way more than what is just "taught" to them because they quickly learn that Christians are not perfect and can be prone to hypocrisy. That said, the way we live our lives is of greater witness than what we claim to "know." We know of Faith, hope and love and Jesus pointed specifically that the greatest of these is love. There are many, many scriptures on love yet love seems to have fallen by the wayside even today. There is knowledge and it may even be true knowledge, but without love, it's all a clanging cymbal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthouse2014 Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 Q1. (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) The 'liberal' Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians? Paul combats the excuses of the liberal Christians by telling them that their knowledge puffs them up and they don't know what they ought to know, this causes them to have an exaggerated idea of one's own statues. We can validate the excuses we use by not doing anything we know that is not sinful for us, but doing it may cause new believers to stumble, because they had given it up when they became believers. Because of our freedom we may not be slave to some things, however we should refrain from such things if others feel it is sinful or it could enslave others if they see our freedom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 Liberal Christians in Corinth justified eating in pagan temples in that their superior knowledge of God and Christian living informed them that even though many believed in pagan gods they didn't, therefore if they ate in a pagan temple it just didn't matter. They believed in the One True God and that is what counted. It just didn't matter if they ate in a pagan temple because they didn't acknowledge nor worship pagan gods. Paul countered this saying that if their example caused weaker or new Christians to stumble in their faith they should stop eating in the temples. Limit their freedom for the sake of spiritually developing Christians. To the new Christians pagan temples were pagan temples and eating meat that had been sacrificed to pagan gods was just wrong and sinful. We should bounce our behavior off the scriptures and examples of the Apostles with honesty. We need to care about our witness and example to all around us whether new Christian or not. We need to be sensitive to our actions and how they are perceived by others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Centered on their knowledge of the situation, they knew it wasn't sin to do it. However, if they got their eyes off themselves, they would realize that new or weaker believers have a weak conscience, they would lose faith and they might go back to their pagan ways. The validity of course, needs to be measured by what the Bible says, then keeping others in mind, see if it might hurt someone's faith or cause them to fall. It could be life or death for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 Some of the excuses that Paul is combating is that the liberal Christians seem to know everything and it is puffing them up. They were eating meat that was sacrificed to the pagan gods and the newly converted Christian were have a problem with that. We do have of pretty lame excuses but if we would listen to that we are saying then I think that we would correct our ways. But we can always assess the validity of our excuses by bouncing them of what the Bible has to say. I know my behavior has in influence on new believers. They will want what I do in a certain situation and may react with that behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 Corinthians who were converted thought it was alright to eat with their friends at feasts in pagan temples because pagan gods weren't real, and since they learn that they aren't real they felt it was alright do eat with their friends. Their actions can cause new Christian believers to fall back to worshipping pagan gods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Beenleigh Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 The "liberal" Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verses 1-6? " we all have knowledge" was the excuse they used to eat freely in the temple but to the detriment to the newly converted. Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviours. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? Ask yourself W.W.J.D.? and the Word of God What effect would observing your behaviour have on new Christians? Although we are all "work in progress" the new Christian would be looking to respond in like to what we have done or said. It makes one realise how careful and sensitive and loving we should be at all times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted May 26, 2014 Report Share Posted May 26, 2014 Q1. (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) The "liberal" Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? What effect would observing yourbehavior have on new Christians? Their excuses were that idols are nothing and thus anything sacrificed to them does not harm them if they eat. When we excuse our own questionable behaviour, we should assess the validity of the excuses by evaluating the harm it could have on others' faith or harm it will have on others. Our behaviour should encourage the growth of faith of new converts and not cause them to back slide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixonle Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Q1. (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) The 'liberal' Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians? The Corinthians knew and had more wisdom than others. Paul's stance with them that knowledge and wisdom tends to puff one up which leads to pride but in reality they are truly not as wise as they think. Paul's argument concentrated on love as being better than knowledge because love builds up/not puffs up and therefore strengthens those who love. The validity of our excuses needs to withstand the test of whether we are leaning on loving others in Christ rather than how much we may know about rituals, mores or whatever. New believers need role models and we are they, so we need to be careful what message they receive from us. Paul has outlined what that is and we must lean on that so that what they say is the gospel or the truth or actually is the message from God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blezed Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 The 'liberal' Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? 1. They had a pride and sense of superiority regarding their knowledge of these matters of eating food in pagan temples. Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? 2. We can compare them to the word of God. What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians? 3. We want to make sure that we are not a stumbling block to the weak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanG Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Paul is telling them that knowledge is great but they need to be more loving in their approach to their fellow man. They needed to show the new Christians how to tell the difference not only by words but my actions as well. I believe that we have to hold our excuses up to the standards that were taught in the New Testament by Jesus and the disciples. I feel that I would be a pretty good influence on a New Christian. I have become addicted to reading the bible daily. I have changed a few of my bad habits and I try my best to do good and to help others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 Q1. (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) The "liberal" Corinthians had ready excuses for why it was okay to eat with their friends in feasts held in pagan temples. What were their excuses that Paul combats in verse 1-6? Sometimes we excuse our own questionable behaviors. How can we assess the validity of our excuses? What effect would observing your behavior have on new Christians? The excuse was that idols do not exist. So in fact the meat was sacrificed to nothing. In general these feasts were something to look forward to. Fish was the staple diet, so to be invited to join in a feast to have 'meat', was something special. The excess meat would be sold much cheaper at the temples than in the markets. This became a social gathering then to share the meat with friends. New Christians who had just come away from idol worship, could easily stumble by this behaviour. What was a believer doing in a pagan temple? Worse still, what was he doing joining in the feast that was "honoring" an idol. We can weigh up our excuses by looking at the outcome of our actions. Does it cause another believer to stumble? Does it bring doubt about the genuineness of our conversion? Can others say our lifestyle is no different than someone who does not follow Christ? Does my living draw others to Christ? I can only pray and hope that they would be blessed and strive to serve Christ more fully. Please help, dear Lord that it is Christ they see, living in me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krissi Posted July 3, 2023 Report Share Posted July 3, 2023 I'm really torn over this lesson. Is a conscience the same as the Spirit within us, whispering and nudging us in a particular direction? No, of course not. But the Spirit often sounds a bit like a conscience so it's difficult to tease them apart which seems to be what the weak, new, First Century Christians were experiencing. Ultimately the goal should be maturity. A mature Christian understands that His power and sovereignty rule over all social decisions. In practice, however, the church pushed behavioural restraint as a way of including new/weak believers who didn't yet understand the concept of God's freeing sovereignty. There was a lag time between when a convert first came into a community of faith and when he/she understood basic theology. They had to be taught. In the meantime, mature Christians were encouraged them to limit themselves. Placing rules and regulations on mature Christians "just in case" they offend immature Christians doesn't seem quite right, so Paul only advised mature Christians to be sensitive to the weaknesses of others, a lesser command that was more loving. He wanted this to be done on an individual basis; individual mature Christians were counseled to be hyper-vigilant toward the sensibilities of new members with (errant) beliefs. Paul did not advise that Christians submit to rules and regulations. -- And now, for the reverse ... As a very young Christian, older Christians counseled me to never cut my hair but rather wad it up in a lump at the back of my neck, never wear sandals, never let my knees or elbows show, never wear make-up, etc. My conscience had been fine -- only the consciences of the mature Christians were piqued. This was the reverse of what Paul describes -- in this case, mature Christians told an immature Christian that her conscience wasn't as good as theirs. Thus, mature Christians can be as bound by rules and regulations as immature Christians are bound by errant consciences. The difference is that these mature Christians are skillful at glossing legalism with Christian-sounding language, in this case, the language of modesty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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