Love edifies

Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. – 1 Corinthians 8.1-3

It is obvious from the wording that Paul is changing topics. This is one place where the chapter division was rightly inserted. 

Paul starts the section about idols with a clear statement. 'We all have knowledge,' he says, 'but knowledge is not enough. In fact knowledge cna be dangerous because we cna get puffed up with knowledge. Love is what counts because love it what truly edifies. 

The fight of the week was how to handle meat that had already been sacrificed to idols. Did the sacrifice to idols make it pagan meat that wold defile anyone who ate it? Or were the idols meaningless and therefore eating the meat was fine? Both groups had their views. Both groups 'knew' what was right. Neither side was afraid to express their point of view. All their knowledge about who was right and who was wrong gave them big heads. 

Paul introduces the whole section with a reminder that it is not all about what we do or don't know. It is really all about love. 

Love is foundational to the church surviving. If we base our actions on knowledge instead of love we will tear ourselves apart. We don't know as near as much as we think we know, but love cannot be argued. Love means that I don't have to get my way or have my preference satisfied. 

Today it is not meat offered to idols. It is any number of preferences or choices. We are all armed with knowledge to support our point of view. Maybe we ought to be more concerned about loving edification that getting our way.