Sabbath, June 21 – 1 Corinthians 8, 9

1. Do you seek common ground with those you relate to?

2. Do you avoid a know-it-all attitude?

3. Do you strive to make others feel accepted?

4. Do you demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of others, and do you genuinely care for them?

5. Do you consistently look for opportunities to discuss Christ with others?

In the first century, meat sold in markets of the Roman Empire often came from animals sacrificed to idols. This caused conflict among the believers in Corinth: could Christians eat such meat? What should they do if a nonbeliever invited them to eat and such meat was served?

Paul responds not merely by appealing to knowledge, but by invoking love as a higher principle. Some Christians would say, “an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one” (1 Cor. 8:4), which is true, but Paul warns that knowledge without love can be harmful. “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies” (v. 1).

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary states: “The favor of God is not obtained by the use of, nor by abstention from, food that has been offered to idols. God looks at the heart and takes note of the thoughts and motives that prompt men’s actions.” (SDABC, 1 Cor. 8:8).

Paul exhorts believers not to make weaker ones stumble: “But when you thus sin against the brethren and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ” (v. 12). Therefore, he declares: “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble” (v. 13).

This principle of self-denial for love’s sake applies today in many areas: recreation, music, dress, lifestyle. Ellen G. White affirms: “The denial of self for the good of others is a prominent feature of the experience of a genuine follower of Jesus (see Matt. 16:24; John 3:30; Rom. 12:10; Rom. 14:7, 13, 15–17; Phil. 2:3, 4).” (SDABC, 1 Cor. 8:13).

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul defends his apostolic authority. Some questioned his calling, but he had seen the risen Christ (v. 1). As an apostle, he had the right to receive material support. “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (v. 14). However, Paul voluntarily relinquished that right to avoid causing anyone to stumble.

Paul writes: “I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more” (v. 19), and he summarizes his method: “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (v. 22). This flexibility was not a compromise with error but a strategy motivated by love for souls.

From his ministry, five practical principles arise:

1. Find common ground.
2. Avoid a know-it-all attitude.
3. Help others feel accepted.
4. Be sensitive to the needs of others.
5. Seek opportunities to speak about Christ.

Paul compares the Christian life to a race: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (v. 24). Discipline is essential: “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection” (v. 27).

The Christian life requires both liberty and discipline. Without a goal, discipline is nothing more than self-punishment; to please God, self-denial is nothing compared to the eternal reward.

“If all who are called to the ministry of the gospel were as faithful and steadfast in laboring for souls as Paul was, the revival and reformation for which the church longs would be greatly hastened, and Christ would soon come.” (SDABC, 1 Cor. 9:27).

This message challenges us: Are you willing to relinquish your rights out of love? Is your liberty guided by the welfare of others? Paul lived for Christ, and his example continues to serve as a powerful guide today.

May you have a day full of blessings.