Note 1 at 1Co 8:1: It would appear that Paul's teaching in this chapter about meats that have been sacrificed unto idols is an answer to another of the Corinthians' questions that they had previously written him about.

Note 2 at 1Co 8:1: The background for all of Paul's instructions in this chapter was the pagan customs of his day. All the religious systems of the day, except Judaism, worshiped multiple gods, and most of this was done in the form of idolatry. They often offered sacrifices of food unto these idols and then sold these food sacrifices in the marketplace.

Apparently, there had been a debate among the Corinthian Christians over whether or not the believers could eat this food that had been sacrificed to idols. Some felt that this was just food regardless of what it had been through, while others felt that this food was defiled because it had been offered to idols.

Paul revealed that they were arguing the wrong point. The real issue wasn't the condition of the food but the conscience of the person who was eating it. This is the same approach that Jesus took in Mt 15:11-20. Paul went on to stress that not just the conscience of the person eating the food was involved, but the conscience of the weak person who observed this was important too.

While this issue is not relevant to most Christians today, the principle discussed here has many modern-day applications. Christians should judge the correctness of their actions not only on the basis of what is right and wrong but also on the basis of how their actions impact others. Our witness is more important than our personal liberties.

Note 3 at 1Co 8:1: The phrase "puffeth up" refers to pride (Greek - "PHUSIOO" - "to inflate, i.e. (figuratively) make proud (haughty)" [Strong's Concordance]). Superior knowledge will always lead an individual into arrogance unless a deliberate effort is made to prevent it.

It is true that knowledge gives people an advantage in many ways, but matters of the heart are more important than matters of the head. Character is more beneficial than intellect. If people lose their character in pursuit of knowledge, they are much poorer in the sight of God and of much less benefit to their fellow man.

Note 4 at 1Co 8:1: Some of the Corinthian believers were technically correct in their evaluation of this issue, yet they were also totally wrong. Their knowledge had become more important to them than walking in love with the brethren. Paul was stressing that walking in love is more important than being right.

One of the pitfalls of knowledge is the temptation to exalt knowledge above practical application. There are many examples of our schools producing people who "aced" the theory of their chosen fields, but they are seriously lacking in the practical wisdom that it takes to succeed. For instance, some people may go to school to become better communicators, yet they become enamored with the process more than the product and come out using words that no one understands. For all practical purposes, their education was useless. Truly gifted communicators can speak so that even the simplest people can understand.

Likewise, in spiritual matters, people can educate themselves in theology to the degree that it does more harm than good. It is possible to win a theological battle and yet lose the war for a person's heart. Arguments over points of theology often distract from the more important issues. That was the situation here.

The condition of this food was insignificant compared to the issue of maintaining love and unity with the brethren. Some of the Corinthian believers were "straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel" (Mt 23:24). They were going to defend their right to eat meat sacrificed to idols even if it meant offending others and leading them into idolatry. Such misplaced priorities could only happen to people who have exalted knowledge above love.

There is no premium on ignorance, but love is infinitely superior to knowledge. We should learn all we can, but we must make knowledge our servant to love. "The greatest of these is charity [love]" (1Co 13:13, brackets mine).