Puffed up or building up?
“We know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 ESV
Food offered to idols presented major problems for first-century Christians. Early Church leaders decided that one of the firm rules for Gentiles was that they “abstain from the things polluted by idols” (Acts 15:29). They all knew it was important to live lives that were pleasing to God and good testimonies to others. Paul then moved on to a deeper issue: attitudes about “knowledge.”
Some Christians assumed they were special because of what they knew. But Paul stressed that everyone has some kind of knowledge. This means that all of us can be prone to trusting in ourselves and our own special knowledge. The danger is that this knowledge can make us proud and arrogant, because this knowledge “puffs up.”
This attitude can be crippling to Christians! But there is an antidote: love! While knowledge can cause us to be proud, love “builds up.” The Greek word refers to a person who builds a house. In short, those motivated by knowledge can destroy and tear down, but those motivated by love are constructive.
By our knowledge, we can destroy “the brother for whom Christ died” (v. 11). Thus, thinking we are completely right, we can be completely wrong, and can even “sin against Christ” (v. 12).
Paul warned that if we have “all knowledge” but “have not love,” we are “nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2). Knowledge without love is meaningless, merely a collection of information.
Today, ask God to fill your life with love. Be careful about communicating what you “know.” Seek to be motivated by love: Build up others!
Prayer: Father, I humble myself before You. Fill me with Your love toward others. Help me to be Your instrument in bringing the Gospel to the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 8:1-3 ESV