This passage appears in the Revised Common Lectionary, Epiphany Season, Year B, most recently 2024.
Summary
We are infected with the same demon as the Corinthians: We use our 'freedom' for our own benefit, not the building up of the kingdom. Paul here makes two profound arguments that the world still needs to here: True knowledge comes from God's love. True freedom is found in serving others. If one wants to get "muddy" you could talk about privilege!
Warm-up note on Geography
Knowing the geography of Corinth helps explain the whole eating meat to idols; in an areas about the size of 5 football fields are three markets and eight temples. The social events in downtown Corinth were meals at the temples; the meat that was bought at the markets was likely from these temples. See: A website I made on Paul's travels for more on this.
Key Words
φυσιοι (meaning "puff up", 8:1) The word for puff up is "physio-oo" is related to the word for "natural" but in this case derives from the word for bellows (the things you use to build up a fire). This is interesting then -- is Paul saying that knowledge is like vanity in Ecclesiastes -- simply smoke? Or is Paul asserting that knowledge can serve a purpose but it is not that which can sustain?
(This word only appears 7 times in the whole NT/OT; 6 of those in 1 Cor!)
ουπω (meaning "(not) yet," 8:1) Paul makes an interesting parallel argument here
- if anyone seems to know something, they do not yet know what it is necessary to know
- if anyone loves God, they are already known by God.
Paul is not suggesting that knowledge about the world is bad, it is simply incomplete. Real knowledge is derived from love.
εγνωσται (γινωσκω, 8:2 and 8:3 and throughout!) Τhe word for "known" here (gninoosk-oo) here is in the perfect. In other words, this verse should read "The one who loves God has already been known by God." Paul's use of the perfect here emphasizes the fact that God already knew us and we continue in a state of being known. But this is really fascinating. What does it mean to be the state of being known by God? And can some folks not be known by God?
ημιν (for us, as in "For us, God is one", 8:6) This word opens us some interesting translation possibilities. Does Paul mean that "For us, God is one" as in a) God is on our behalf b) God is one is our confession c) for us, our God is the one God, among many, who is the father? ( I don't think c))
εξουσια (translated here as "liberty" or "freedom", 8:9). Fascinating: This word, in the corresponding Gospel passage for Sunday (Mark 1:21-28), is translated by the NSRV as authority in that verse. Here it is translated as freedom!! I am gonna have to ponder that one!! What might it look like to translate this as privilege?
οικοδομθησεται (from οικοδομει, 8.9) Most translations here use the word "encourage" or "strengthened" to translate "oikodome-oo." I think "building up" is preferred; the root of the word is "home - gift." As in, the "giving of a home through building it up." Paul employs this word earlier to talk about love "building" up people. I think Paul's use of this word in this context points out that are actions within the Christian community WILL build people up -- that is not the question; the question is whether we will build each other up for good or for licentiousness. What do we make a home for in our lives?
In 8:8 Paul uses the word "abound" (perisseu-oo). Later in chapter 14, he will return to this verb, saying, "Since you want to abound..." In chapter 14, he then tells them to hold their tongues in worship! Again, there is enough material chapter 8 for a sermon, but this connection strengthens the point: Paul is saying your "privilege" is not to be used for your advantage but for others.
Grammar Reflection
What level of Greek is too smooth for writing?? A few times in the New Testament, the writing is so smooth that people wonder if the words were poems for liturgical hymns. In fact, when I read verse 6, I wonder this:
- one God the father, of whom all things and we are for him
- one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things and we are through him
The big pictures is that Paul moves on to talk about knowledge in our hearts. But I wonder if he is weaving in hymn texts here.
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