Thread by @ThomasCoutouzis

#Exetweet thread

1/ "Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies." 1 Cor 8:1

The context of this passage is in conscience pertaining to Christian liberty, in this case, meat being sacrifices to idols.

2/ Paul shares two points that wound when they are separated regarding conscience and exercising liberty.

"Knowledge makes arrogant"

"but love edifies"

"γνῶσις" (knowledge) in this instance is "experiential knowledge". It is knowledge gained from first hand experience.

3/ In other words it is knowledge gained from experiences you have encountered. This knowledge can be helpful in keeping us from making horrendous decisions that reaped terrible consequences.

This could also be a knowledge gleaned from rigorous study of Scripture or field...

4/...of expertise. Experience is the heart of this knowledge and one of the dangers of experiential knowledge is that experience can lead us astray. Gnosis is where the term "Gnosticism" comes from. Gnostics believed there was a hidden inner knowledge that they had to seek...

5/...within themselves, so their "spiritual experiences" in pursuit of this truth made them unwavering in their error.

One only has to look at Bethel Church and their "personal experiences" w/ God the Father & Christ the Son (demons acting like they are 2 members of the Trinity)

6/ Another modern day example of experiential knowledge gone wrong is "victim mentality". The problem is that our feelings left unchecked will eisegete themselves into our experiences and if we are not careful we will find ourselves clinging to lies.

7/ With this in mind, in the context of "experiential knowledge" in v1 is "makes arrogant". The Greek word is φυσιόω (phusioo). The word literally means "to inflate/to blow up/to puff up".

The implication of "inflating" is making your head or ego big (pride). You think...

8/...you know it all because you have studied a subject or a topic or have "personal experience" regarding something, so you make YOURSELF the authority on the matter. You are always right.

Paul is pointing out that if we are not careful, our sin nature can take...

9/...this knowledge or perceived knowledge that we have gleaned & use it to harm others. Within the context this knowledge in a mature Christian might have them exercise their liberty to eat the meat sacrificed to idols because they know that Christ is King.

10/ On the other hand the newer believer who may have come out of these pagan cults will be made more sensitive to seeing another believer eating this meat because their experiential knowledge reminds them of the idols they worshipped. It may carry painful memories...

11/...from when they were dead in their trespasses. They would be tempted to look down upon this mature brother or sister eating this meat.

So, if we allow experiential knowledge alone to dictate our decisions then we will become puffed up/inflated in our pride.

12/ The second point is that "love edifies". Love is ἀγάπη (agape). It is the Greek love that is benevolent, charitable, and unconditional in light of the best or worst circumstances. A good example is Christ still loving the believer even after they have sinned.

13/ Love "edifies" is οἰκοδομέω (oikodomeo). Oiko is "home/house" and domeo means "to build". Properly, "to build a house". The implication is building someone up.

Love by itself is like a compass without the red pointer to direct you. I do not believe that Paul is...

14/...condemning experiential knowledge and saying to just use love. He is saying that love and knowledge work together. Knowledge without love puffs up or inflates. It is love and knowledge used together that prevents a believer from exercising a liberty that might harm...

15/...another follower of Christ. Luke 9:23 commands the believer to deny self which is an act of love towards our Savior. In light of a weaker brother the mature believer as an act of love towards his fellow brother or sister should deny themselves if their liberty...

16/...offends their them. Can a Christian exercise their liberty to drink a glass of wine (and not get drunk)? Yes

Should the Christian exercise that liberty in front of a weaker brother or sister that was an alcoholic? By no means!