Idol steak

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

¹ Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. ² Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. ³ But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

⁴ So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. ⁵ There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords. ⁶ But for us,

There is one God, the Father,
by whom all things were created,
and for whom we live.
And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom all things were created,
and through whom we live.

⁷ However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated. ⁸ It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.

⁹ But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. ¹⁰ For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? ¹¹ So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. ¹² And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. ¹³ So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.

Eating meat sacrificed to idols or eating idol meat in idol temples isn’t a thing for us in today’s modern world. We would be forgiven, I feel, for wondering what relevance in 2025 Sydney, Australia this story has, or who would eat meat sacrificed to idols. But let’s add some more details – idol meat was significantly cheaper than market meat. Also, eating in idol temples would be highly likely, especially for new believers catching up with non-Christian friends.

Paul sets the stage of the argument- these idols and not real Gods, only God is the real God. No gain if you do eat, no loss if you don’t. So, given the cost savings, eating idol meal is all good, right?

Not so fast, says Paul.

There is a love issue here. What about those Christians who are weaker in their faith – who are thrown into confusion because I’m tucking into a juicy, half-priced idol steak. My actions are not loving. Worst still – I am sinning against Jesus himself. No way says Paul – he will have none of it!

What about me? What small tolerances am I engaging in – the movies I watch or the amount of adult beverages I consume – that, on the surface may be fine but may lead someone else away from Jesus? Love for my brother or sister, and by extension love for Jesus should guide my actions regardless of whether or not I think it’s ok.

Jesus, please forgive me for sinning against You – by not caring about others. Make me like your servant, Paul – that my whole life will lead others toward You, not away.

Amen

Written by B van Noppen