1 Corinthians 8: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Corinthians 8 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Paul addresses knowledge and love, stating that knowledge can inflate one's ego, while love builds others up (vv. 1-3). He affirms the belief that there is only one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things exist (vv. 4-6). However, not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people still feel a strong association with idols and may be troubled by eating food sacrificed to them, which leads to a defiled conscience (vv. 7-9). If a believer with knowledge eats in an idol's temple, it may lead a weaker brother to act against his conscience, which can cause harm (vv. 10-12). Therefore, Paul commits to abstaining from meat if it causes a brother to stumble, prioritizing love over liberty (v. 13).

Key verse

“But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.”
1 Corinthians 8:9 (WEB)

Outline

1 Corinthians 8:1–3 Knowledge and Love Defined
1 Corinthians 8:4–6 One God and One Lord
1 Corinthians 8:7–9 Conscience and Freedom
1 Corinthians 8:10–12 Impact on the Weaker Brother
1 Corinthians 8:13 Commitment to Love

Discussion questions

In v1, what does Paul say about the effect of 'knowledge' on believers?
What does Paul identify as the consequence of having 'consciousness of the idol' in v7?
Paul's statement in v9 about 'liberty' becoming a 'stumbling block' raises what concerns for the Corinthians?
In v11, what does Paul imply about the relationship between knowledge and the impact on a 'brother'?
When have you encountered a situation where your 'knowledge' might have influenced a weaker believer's actions?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Corinthians 8: Revelation 3, Romans 14, 2 Timothy 2.

Before next time: read 1 Corinthians 9.