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Epiphany Season · Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany · Year B

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Food Sacrificed to Idols

January 31, 2027

A Pagan Sacrifice, Garofalo
A Pagan Sacrifice, Garofalo, 1526The National Gallery, London
An old priest in red lays the head of a goat on a carved altar, while attendants bring fruit, water and fire and a piper plays: an offering to the gods as the ancient world made it.Hence, 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.GarofaloA painter of Ferrara, nicknamed after the carnation he used as a signature, who studied Raphael in Rome.The National Gallery, LondonFounded in 1824 with thirty-eight pictures bought from a banker’s estate, and still free to enter, as its founders insisted.The National Gallery, London
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMark 1:21-28Mk 1:21-28
Epistle1 Cor. 8:1-131 Cor 8:1-13
Old TestamentDeut. 18:15-20Dt 18:15-20
PsalterPs. 111Ps 111

Overview & Insights

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)

Paul now takes up the next question posed by the Corinthians in their letter (cf. 7:1).1Moving from the larger question of human relationships, with a special focus on marriage, divorce, and singleness, he now takes up another pertinent question that relates directly to the domestic situation of the Corinthian believers, which includes relatives, friends, and co-workers. What about the meat Christ followers were served at dinner parties? Were Christians allowed to eat whatever they could buy in the marketplace? (See the “Additional Insights” following this unit.) Interpretive Insights 8:1 We know that “We all possess knowledge.” Still speaking as a pastor, Paul immediately steps away from the specific case-in-point issue to deal with the underlying social issues of pride, prominence, and personal rights.

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Commentary

1 Corinthians 8:1-131 Cor 8:1-13 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary on Paul's argument that love builds up where knowledge puffs up, in the dispute over food sacrificed to idols.

1 Corinthians 8:1-131 Cor 8:1-13 Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed reading of how Paul subordinates freedom and knowledge to care for the weaker conscience.

1 Corinthians 8 verse by verse1 Cor 8 verse by verse Precept Austin

A study hub with word studies and cross-references on the idol-meat question.

Classic commentaries on 1 Corinthians 8Classic commentaries on 1 Cor 8 BibleHub

Classic commentaries on 'meat sacrificed to idols' and the weak and the strong.

1 Corinthians 8:1-131 Cor 8:1-13 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.

Background & Word Study

1 Corinthians and Work1 Cor and Work Theology of Work

Situates Paul's counsel about idol food within Christian engagement in a mixed marketplace.

Overview: 1 CorinthiansOverview: 1 Cor BibleProject

An animated overview framing the letter's vision of unity and love across a divided church.

The Church Fathers

1 Corinthians 8, patristic commentary1 Cor 8, patristic commentary Catena

Early church quotations on knowledge, conscience, and love.

Questions preachers ask

What is the issue with food offered to idols?

The strong know an idol is nothing, but Paul insists that love, not knowledge, must rule: a freedom that wounds a weaker believer's conscience is a sin against Christ.

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