“Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘We all possess knowledge.’ But knowledge puffs up while love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1).

Paul used the specific issue of eating meat offered to idols to establish a much larger principle of conduct for all of us. Apparently “We all possess knowledge” was a phrase used by certain believers in the Corinthian church. They were using that expression to justify the behavior that was hurting others. They were using their knowledge about idols to defend their publicly eating meat offered to idols.

Paul agreed with their knowledge. “We know that ‘An idol is nothing at all in the world’ and that ‘There is no God but one’ ” (v. 4). Yet, Paul knew that some of the believers had been so attached to idolatry that they thought an idol was a god. They were defiling their consciences when they ate meat sacrificed to an idol. He wanted all of them, and us, to know that knowledge alone was not a valid guide for behavior. It could make us proud and insensitive to others. If we really want to edify others it is important that we include love in the mix.

“Love” is such an essential quality of Christian living that Paul would devote an entire chapter of this letter to it—chapter 13. Knowledge is important. I’m certain that each of us wants to know more than we do. But the ingredient that makes us Christ-like and helpful to others is love. When we connect love for God and love for others to our knowledge we have an effective guide for every decision we make.