New Testament Commentary - 1 Corinthians 8

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 8 There are gods many and lords many—To us there is one God (the Father) and on Lord who is Christ.
1 NOW ^aas touching things offered unto ^bidols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but ^ccharity ^dedifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to ^aknow. 3 But if any man love God, the same is ^aknown of him.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things ^athat are offered in sacrifice unto ^bidols, we know that an ^cidol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one ^aGod, the ^bFather, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one ^cLord Jesus Christ, by whom are ^dall things, and we by him.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their ^aconscience being weak is defiled. 8 But ^ameat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
9 But take heed lest by any means this ^aliberty of yours become a ^bstumblingblock to them^a that are ^cweak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?	9^a this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them It things that we are free to do there is that which has the 'appearance of evil' and which ought not be participated in by good LDS members for the sole reason that others' faith might be shaken by having seen that which they conceive of being evil by those who are good members of the Church of Christ.
12 But when ye sin so against the ^abrethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat ^amake my brother to ^boffend, I will ^ceat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.