Sermon Tone Analysis

I. Introduction

a.

We have dealt with Paul’s first questions that the Corinthians sent him in ch7 (marriage and singleness)

b.

Today we have a bigger section (chs 8-10).

In this section, Paul answers their questions, challenges, or concerns about eating meats that were sacrificed to idols

i. Spending time in idols temples were social hubs at the time.

There were social halls for meals and gatherings.

Also, meats that were not eaten in the temple because of an over-abundance of sacrificed meats, they would be sent out to the marketplace to be sold for profit.

So there were a few questions regarding these ideas for Paul.

c.

This is not the only time where we have teaching on eating meats sacrificed to idols, so it may be helpful to look at a couple other passages to get an understanding of what God’s will was regarding this subject

i. See and

1. : The Corinthians would have received this letter.

2. , – Eating meets included in “going astray” and having a “stumbling block” thrown before God’s people.

ii.

It is important to see what God’s will is for eating meats sacrificed to idols before we get to because upon reading these chapters, it seems that Paul views this issue as a liberty or an area of conscience that the Lord had not spoken clearly on.

Whenever chs 8 and 9 are read on their own, this is the misunderstanding that we can come to

iii.

The Corinthians already would have been given the letter from the Apostles and elders (and Holy Spirit) in Jerusalem.

They would have been told that they were not to eat the meats…

iv.

We also need to understand the whole argument of chs 8-10, not just chs 8&9.

d. Outline of Section

i. Ch 8 – Show concern for your brother in things that you believe are liberties & be willing to, in love, forsake your liberties for the sake of others.

ii.

Ch 9 – Paul gives himself as an example of denying ones-self of what they believe is a liberty

iii.

Ch10 – Paul tells them that they must not eat meats they know have been sacrificed to idols because it is wrong to do so.

To do so brings them into fellowship with demons and Paul wants them to flee from idolatry.

II.

Paul’s Teaching to Corinth

a.

i. Paul could have just told them, “don’t eat meats that you know were sacrificed to idols, but he doesn’t right away.”

He gives them some principles first to deal with the arrogance that their knowledge has led them to and encourages them towards love instead.

Only after he does this does he then go to what God says about the morality of eating meats sacrificed to idols.

ii.

8:1-6 – Showing his agreement and disagreement with the claims they were making regarding their “knowledge”

1. Paul starts out quoting the Corinthians again.

They thought they had knowledge (knowledge used 5 times in this chapter).

They thought their knowledge gave the right to eat meats sacrificed to idols.

But Paul cautions them against this line of thinking because it is clear within the church that knowledge that the brethren had was leading them to arrogance and pride instead of denying themselves and serving one another with love.

a.

They thought they had knowledge, but if it was moving them to pride, they had nowhere near the knowledge they needed to have.

Knowledge of God needs to move them to love instead of pride.

2. The Corinthians’ point is that since there is no reality to an idol, how can we be faulted for eating meals in the temples or eating the meats knowing they were sacrificed to an idol since the gods represented by these idols do not exist?

3. Paul agrees with them that there is only one God and that the Gods which the gentiles worship do not exist.

But Paul still cautions them to consider instances when they need to be careful not to eat them.

iii.

8:7-13 – Show love towards your brethren in how you exercise your “freedoms.”

Be willing to deny ‘self’ for the sake of others

1. Paul says that not all have this “knowledge.”

There may be some brethren in Corinth that would look at it as honoring that “god” in eating the meat.

There may be some newer Christians who don’t fully understand yet that all of the other “gods” do not exist.

2. So Paul tells them to be careful that they do not lead a weaker brother to stumble by what they are doing.

They may see a “stronger” brother with “knowledge” eating these meats, and they may get from this that it is ok to go to the temples and to eat of these meats that honored these gods.

They may be led to violate their conscience, thus sin.

And Paul says that when someone is led to do this by their actions, they sin against this brother and against Christ

3. .

b.

i.