The sixth problem dealt with by this Epistle is the matter of eating things sacrificed to idols (8:1—11:1).

Referring to the inward, subjective consciousness.

Knowledge in this verse and in vv. 7, 10 refers to the outward, objective knowledge, which is common and general.

The outward, objective knowledge that puffs up comes from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the source of death. Spiritual (not fleshly) love, which is an expression of life as described in ch. 13, builds up. It comes from the tree of life, the source of life. This is the love of God (1 John 4:16) infused into us by faith, which has brought us into the organic union with God. By this love we love God (v. 3) and the brothers (1 John 4:21), and according to this love we should walk (Rom. 14:15). Thus, our walk builds up (1 Cor. 10:23).

The outward, objective knowledge that puffs up comes from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the source of death. Spiritual (not fleshly) love, which is an expression of life as described in 1 Cor. 13, builds up. It comes from the tree of life, the source of life. This is the love of God (1 John 4:16) infused into us by faith, which has brought us into the organic union with God. By this love we love God (v. 3) and the brothers (1 John 4:21), and according to this love we should walk (Rom. 14:15). Thus, our walk builds up (1 Cor. 10:23).

Referring not only to the edification of individual believers but also to the building up of the corporate Body of Christ (1 Cor. 14:4-5, 12; Eph. 4:16). This book stresses the matter of building up (1 Cor. 3:9-10, 12; 10:23).

Referring to the outward, objective knowledge. So for known in v. 3.

The highest and noblest love. It must be spiritual, not fleshly, although it requires the exercise of man's entire being (Mark 12:30).

Referring to the inward, subjective consciousness. To realize that an idol is nothing and that there is no God but one requires our inward, subjective consciousness derived from our spirit through our mind. This consciousness is much deeper than the outward, objective knowledge, which is merely in our mind.

The believers in Christ, the Christians.

In contrast to many gods in v. 5. Our God is uniquely one.

A designation of our God, who is the source of all things. This designation makes our God utterly distinct from the many false gods.

The Father is the source of all things; thus, all things are out from Him. However, only we as believers will turn to Him; hence, we are unto Him. Similarly, all things that the Father created came into being through Jesus Christ as the means, and it is through the means of the Lord's regeneration that we as believers turn to the Father and are unto Him. Hence, both we and all things are through Christ.

In contrast to many lords in v. 5. Our Lord also is uniquely one.

The divine and human title of our Lord that distinguishes Him from the many lords. Our God, the Father, is the unique source of all things, and our Lord, Jesus Christ, is the unique means through whom all things came into being.

The Father is the source of all things; thus, all things are out from Him. However, only we as believers will turn to Him; hence, we are unto Him. Similarly, all things that the Father created came into being through Jesus Christ as the means, and it is through the means of the Lord's regeneration that we as believers turn to the Father and are unto Him. Hence, both we and all things are through Christ.

A weak conscience is due to the lack of proper and adequate knowledge. This indicates that our knowledge has much to do with our conscience. The ex-idol worshippers who are now believers in Christ, being accustomed to the idol until now, lack the knowledge that an idol is nothing (v. 4). Thus, their conscience is weak concerning the matter of idols.

The weak conscience is defiled when it is touched by any matter about which it lacks adequate knowledge.

The Greek word means to abound so that one becomes full and excelling; hence, become full and excelling. Here it denotes that eating things sacrificed to idols cannot cause us to become full and excelling in any respect before God; therefore, neither can not eating cause us to be lacking, which is in contrast to being full and excelling.

Or, liberty. Lit., authority. So also in 1 Cor. 9:4-5.

Those whose conscience is weakened by a lack of knowledge.

Lit., built up. The conscience of the weak believers will be built up with boldness to do what it formerly dared not do. This is a sudden building up without a logical and solid foundation. Hence, it is an improper building up that actually ruins. Although the conscience of the weak believers is emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols, such a practice will eventually ruin them because they do not have adequate knowledge to support their emboldened yet still weak conscience.

This denotes perishing, not perishing for eternity but perishing in the Christian life. The weak believer is destroyed by the carelessness of the stronger one who has knowledge.

Lit., smiting (unto damage).

The Greek word means to snare, to entrap. Cf. note 1 Cor. 10:32¹.

I.e., animal flesh, referring to the meat offered to idols. Since meat is more tempting than other kinds of food, the apostle mentioned it specifically.

The Greek word means to snare, to entrap. Cf. note 1 Cor. 10:32¹.