10 September 2020

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.

From 1 Corinthians 8: 1-7, 11-13 (NRSV)

Paul continues his response to the questions and concerns of the Christian community at Corinth. The issue today concerns the eating of food sacrificed to idols. Paul seems to show understanding of the different viewpoints. For Paul, there are no idols but the one God, the Father, and so food could not be made unholy through dedication to idols. For some, the mere link with idolatry would be seen to have contaminated the food and Paul understands this. However, he did not want those who had this knowledge to condemn those who did not. Knowledge alone was not, for Paul, sufficient reason to make a decision or to condemn anyone else for making a different decision. The people of Corinth were possibly expecting a more clear cut answer from Paul but he draws them back to the foremost value of love as the basis for their decisions.

• • Is there a difference between decisions made with knowledge but without love of those affected and those where a concern for the people accompanies knowledge? What does this look like?
  • Has your knowledge of a situation ever got in the way of making a more loving choice?

Ponder today on a decision in which you are involved. Ask for the grace to support this decision with love as well as knowledge of the facts.