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Knowledge puffs up – 1 Cor. 8:1
Knowledge puffs up – 1 Cor. 8:1
“Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies” (1 Cor. 8:1).
Knowledge, in particular, for believers, knowledge of God’s will, is of extreme importance. It is at the foundation of discipleship: we are to be taught to observe all things that the Lord has commanded. Knowing God the father and Jesus “is eternal life” (John 17:3). We are charged to ‘know the will of the Lord’ (Eph. 5:17). John addresses the subject of what disciples are to know nearly 40 times in his first letter. Paul, here in Corinthians asks “do you not know’ 10 times. So, as disciples, we are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord” (2Pet. 3:18).
Yet, here Paul warns us that knowledge is dangerous.
One of the big dangers of ‘knowledge’ is when we ‘know’ that which isn’t true (but we think it is!). Such ‘knowledge’ is heady stuff! In truth, ‘knowing’ such things makes it that much more difficult to learn truth! Notice the difference between the little child who constantly asks ‘why’ and the older child who begins his sentences: “you know what…” Knowledge can be a barrier to learning!
The other danger is that it indeed ‘puffs up’ and makes us think we are better / superior than others who do not know. The elitism of ‘knowledge’ has always produced such pride. It often turns into arrogance and then leads to disdain towards the ‘unknowing’. Note the arrogancy and disdain shown against those who do ‘not know’: the blind man in John 9:34; the crowds (John 7:49), and against Jesus himself (John 7:15).
Paul here contrasts knowledge and love. Such contrasts do NOT mean that the ‘lesser’ is unimportant, just that it is of less importance than what it is being compared with. Paul will conclude this long section with the chapter on love: and if you had ‘all knowledge’ but do not exercise love, it profits you nothing. (1Cor. 13:1-4). To adopt the phrase of James: knowledge without love is dead, being alone.
Knowledge apart from DOING is also without profit. It is not the KNOWING of God’s will but the doing of it. While knowing is at the foundation of obedience, we often stop short of the true goal. It is like when we have labeled something and thus know ‘its name’, that we think we actually understand it. We have labeled many things in this world but have never learned how they really work or what their true essence is, yet we are confident we ‘know’.
In all of our learning, let us also learn humility. The more we learn, the more we realize what we do not yet know! In particular, the mind of God. The smartest among us know next to nothing when compared with God. When we compare ourselves with ourselves, we often come out looking good. When we compare ourselves with God we realize who we truly are.
Knowledge with love will use whatever knowledge we possess to glorify God and help others learn to glorify God. What are you doing with all that you know?
Hugh DeLong
