Dealing with a
Dysfunctional Church
St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians
Discussion Question #1
In 1 Cor 8:1a, Paul quotes from the
Corinthian letter about their possession of certain knowledge. To what do you
think this refers?
8:1 Now concerning food
sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge."
8: 4Hence, as to the eating
of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really
exists," and that "there is no God but one.” Indeed, even though
there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-- as in fact there are many
gods and many lords-- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are
all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all
things and through whom we exist.
Discussion Question #2
In 8:1b–3, Paul briefly discusses the
importance of knowledge for Christians. What standing does it seem to have for
Paul among the Christian virtues?
8:1b Knowledge puffs up,
but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the
necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.
Eating Meat in the
Greco-Roman World
Slide 8
Eating Meat in the
Greco-Roman World (cont’d)
Diogenes asks you to dine
at the first birthday of his daughter in the Sarapian [temple] tomorrow, which
is well-spread, from the 9th hour.
(P. Oxy. 2791)
[Cn. Publicus Regulus . . .
], who was [the first] to preside over the Isthminian games at the Isthmus
under the sponsorship of Colonia Laus Julia Corinthiensis . . . And after the
buildings of Caesarea were renovated . . . Gave a banquet for all the colonists
. . .
—1st Century AD Inscription from Corinth
Slide 12
Slide 13
Slide 14
Slide 15
Slide 16
Slide 17
Slide 18
Discussion Question #3
In 8:7–13, Paul shows concern for the
Corinthians whose consciences were wounded and advises accommodation. What
knowledge did the “weak” lack, and why does Paul think others should
accommodate them?
8: 7 It is not everyone,
however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols
until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol;
and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. "Food will not bring us
close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if
we do.
But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling
block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the
temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be
encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols?
So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed.
But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their
conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a
cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of
them to fall.
Discussion Question #4
In chapter 9, Paul gives examples of his
own accommodation. What are these examples, and how far did it seem Paul was
willing to bend? How far should Christians today go in accommodating fellow
Christians?
9: 4 Do we not have the
right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a
believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and
Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for
a living? . . .
15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this so that
they may be applied in my case. Indeed, I would rather die than that-- no one
will deprive me of my ground for boasting!
For though I am free with
respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of
them.
To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews.
To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not
under the law) so that I might win those under the law.
To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free
from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the
law.
To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak.
I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I
do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
Discussion Question #5
In 10:1–22, Paul warns about idolatry.
How does this warning tie-in with his earlier advice about accommodation?
10:9 Do not become
idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, "The people sat down to
eat and drink, and they rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual
immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.
Discussion Question #6
Paul concludes by issuing several
commands of a practical nature in 10:23–11:1. What are these commands and how
might they help the Corinthians maintain both truth and unity? Are there
practical ways that Christians today can likewise maintain both?
10:23 "All things are
lawful," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are
lawful," but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but
that of the other.
10:25 Eat whatever is sold
in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience,
for "the earth and its fullness are the Lord's.”
10:27 If an unbeliever
invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before
you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice,"
then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you, and for
the sake of conscience--I mean the other's conscience, not your own. For why
should my liberty be subject to the judgment of someone else's conscience? If I
partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which
I give thanks?
10:31 So, whether you eat
or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no
offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please
everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so
that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Summary of Paul’s Position
regarding Idol Meat