“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that 'We all possess knowledge.' But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. — Paul shifts (peri de) to idol food, another question from the Corinthians' letter. The slogan 'we all possess knowledge' (gnōsis echomen pantes) reflects confidence in understanding. However, Paul's axiom—gnōsis physioi (knowledge inflates like puffed-up dough)—opposes arrogance to edification. The verb oikodomei (builds up) establishes love as the criterion for all spiritual knowledge. Intellectual certainty must yield to communal care.
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
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Elena PetrovaNote1mo agoLove Builds Up
Paul contrasts knowledge and love: 'We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.' One creates arrogance. The other creates community.
I'm an academic. I spent my car...
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Priya NairNote1mo agoSeeds of faith - 1 Corinthians 8
The promise here is not conditional on our strength but on His character. God is faithful in every circumstance. The imagery here is agricultural - the original audience would have immediately underst...
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