Study 6 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is:1
Corinthians 8 and 9
The Church in Corinth had asked about the
eating of food which had been offered before an idol. Picture yourself as a
Christian in Corinth, invited to a social banquet in a temple, or seated as a
guest in the house of a non-Christian friend, and offered food which had been
resented in sacrifice to an idol.
1. 8:1-13. Using the knowledge of
truth as their sole guide (such truth as is stated in verses 4-6), what
decision did the Corinthians come to about eating food offered to Idols? Did
Paul agree? List the reasons why he also
says that in certain circumstances he would abstain from such eating.
2. 9:1-27. What basic principles
which should govern Christian action does Paul here illustrate from his own
conduct? In particular what rights does he show Christian workers to have, and
what are his reasons for not using them?
Notes
1. 8:12 ‘Wounding… when it is
weak’: note the contrast. What requires tender handling is brutally
treated. Cf. 9:22. ‘The weak’: i.e, those whose grasp of
Christian truth is feeble and who are timid in exercising their liberty in
Christ. Cf. Rom. 14:1-3.
2. 8:13. This declaration is
conditional and personal, not absolute and general. The significance of this
should not be overlooked. Cf. 10:27-30.
