Author Topic: What does Paul mean with "1 Corinthians 8:13"? (Read 1379 times)

Anem · « **on:** August 08, 2016, 09:52:52 AM »

Is he saying Gluttony is bad if it causes a person to sin? Or is he speaking metaphorically like "If one eats more than one can chew" Like what you do etc.

B from A · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2016, 10:10:18 AM »

You could save people some trouble if you'd actually quote the passage.

klasG4e · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2016, 10:16:41 AM »

1 Corinthians 8:13Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

13 Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2016, 10:19:37 AM »

I was reading this book of the Bible just this morning, so your question was of interest to me.

St. Paul wrote this letter (First Corinthians) to his converts because he heard about some spiritual disorders and he wanted to condemn the abuses.

The way I understand this particular verse; yes it would be difficult for us in this day because we do not sacrifice food to idols as in those days.

What I get from this is if you read the entire chapter he was saying. The converts had knowledge, because of their conversion, that there were no such thing as an idol in reality as the pagans believe, however, the rest of those unconverted pagans did believe in idols. In reality there was no such a thing, therefore it matters not whether food that was offered to the idols was eaten or not, yet, if it gives scandal to another convert they should not eat it.

My take on this is, even if something we do is not really wrong, if it gives scandal to another we should not do it.

I may be entirely wrong and will yield to anyone who knows for sure what it means but that is what I get from the chapter and verse.

Peter15and1 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2016, 10:41:00 AM »

From the Haydock Commentary:

Quote

If meat scandalize. That is, if my eating cause my brother to sin. (Challoner) --- Can we put any meat, or life itself, in competition with a soul, and the blood of Christ, which has been shed for that soul, when we know the value of each!

TKGS · « **Reply #5 on:** August 08, 2016, 10:56:49 AM »

Quote from: MyrnaM

I may be entirely wrong and will yield to anyone who knows for sure what it means but that is what I get from the chapter and verse.

I do not think you are wrong. This is what I have always understood this passage to mean and it seems quite clear that this is what it means when read in context. Your explanation is also what I've heard and read about it.

It is seldom wise to try to understand the meaning of a single verse from scripture in isolation without taking into account the surrounding context.

snowball · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2016, 10:45:54 PM »

such is the gist of what St. Paul is saying:

the pagans sacrificed to multiple gods for different reasons depending on the season, what Saint Paul was describing is a situation where the Corinthian who is a recent convert or considering Christianity who may be sick or need for food would still turn down any meat that was sacrificed to a pagan diety. Christians would eat that meat because they don't believe in the pagan gods but one who would struggle and say it is not right or he would not want it, St. Paul says that you shouldn't push it on him because of his weakness, that it bothers him. you should not eat it in front of him attempting to show him that no harm would happen, this is because it would make him feel guilty or fearful. it is enough to say that he will understand and become a mature Christian eventually, this new brother, however for those pagans who still would not eat meat Paul suffers them and says it's not a big deal then do not push them to eat it. this is very early-stage, spreading Christianity to the pagans some of the old ways and their consciences clung to habit and customs which St. Paul did not see as real stumbling blocks, considering the much more important elements of the new faith he taught them in Christ.