1 Corinthians 8:8 Commentary and Bible Study

Knowledge can be used well or it can be misused. The strong in this situation need to be fully aware of the effect of their actions on others. One believer sets an example to another believer. One believer imitates another believer. If the strong are forceful in character they may have a powerful influence on the weak. They may persuade them to follow their example when the conscience of the weak is not yet ready. Yes, it is true, as Christ taught, ‘that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats’ (Mark 7:18-19). If we eat we are not better spiritually, and if we do not eat we are not worse spiritually. The strong know that, but the weak do not yet know it. This does not mean that the strong will not try to impart knowledge to the weak; they will. But that knowledge has got to be given time to be digested and thought through. The example of the strong might give a more compelling message than the mere instruction of words. The weak, seeing the strong, may say, ‘They are knowledgeable Christians; we must be wrong; we better do as they do.’