underlying theme of chap 8 - 13 : love should guide actions
love as the aim of chapters 8-13, culminating in 13
note : 'we all have knowledge' a possible quote (v.8 as well)
not too significant since paul clarifies meaning pretty well either way...
basically, people insert a quote anytime the phrase feels 'awkward'
note : weaker vs. stronger
to the corinthians : a lack of knowledge which leads to an oversensitive conscience
laurie illustration of halloween
a. the condemned knowledge is that which is without love.
paul is condemning knowledge that gives rise to pride rather than to love.
"puffs up" - a great picture of self-importance. that which looks down on others...
this is the polar opposite of 'consider others more important than yourself' phil.2:3
b. the one claiming such knowlege without love shows that he is missing the significant knowledge
"he has not yet known as he ought to know."
- socratic parallels...
notice that paul clarifies what sort of knowledge he is knocking in v.1...
- NOT todays anti-intellectualism
- just give me jesus... which one?
- this is intellectualism that lacks love; knowing without knowing.
- rather, knowledge that causes pride shows a lack of more important knowledge
- certain knowledge can puff up if it is not combined with more important
knowledge
c. god's knowledge of us is what counts
"if anyone loves god, he is known by him"
- the truly significant knowledge is god's not yours;
'let him who boasts boast in the lord'
1Cr 1:26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many
wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
1Cr 1:27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the
wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame
the things which are strong,
1Cr 1:28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen,
the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
1Cr 1:29 so that no man may boast before God.
1Cr 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom
from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
- what is the important knowledge?
- psa 111:10 'the fear of the lord is the beginning of understanding'
- matt 10:28 Don`t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not
able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy
both soul and body in Gehenna.
the stronger is the one who treats his brother in love!!!
a. it is correct that idols are not to be feared
- others worship and serve other 'gods' and lords
- all is through god
one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we {exist} for Him;
and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we {exist} through Him.
paul glorifies god and defines all through him
b. balance on idols...they shouldn't be worshipped (chap 10)
- they aren't actually gods, but worshipping anthing other than god is sin.
v.8 may be a quote...
a. not all know that other gods are nothing, and eating food from sacrifices to idols
is an act of worship to that idol for them.
b. don't eat if it will make them do so and so violate their conscience.
- not eating it won't hurt you
- if they will eat before their conscience is strong enough, you cause them
to sin.
rom 14:23 "whatever is not from faith is sin."
b. be careful that your liberty doesn't become a hinderance to the weak.
- how far is this taken?
- women exiled to greenland?
- alcohol?
- balance given in rom 14;
- it doesn't say that this is something they will judge you for...it says that they
will be drawn into doing it prematurely. that doesn't mean you shouldn't restrain
your liberty however...
- note his use of the term brother.
it's a shame that we lose the intimacy of that term due to our use of the term
- in disfunctional families
- in disfunctional church relationships
love guides all actions
- all of our actions should be done with a mind to others.
that's really hard if you think about it...
what affect will my words have on my brothers/sisters...
- discussions of theology; is knowledge more important than love?
- 'self rights' or 'other rights'?