1Cor 8:10-11 | RWP | e4.org | If a man see thee which hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol's temple ( εαν γαρ τις ιδη [σε] τον εχοντα γνωσιν εν ειδωλειω κατακειμενον ). Condition of third class, a possible case. Paul draws the picture of the enlightened brother exercising his "liberty" by eating in the idol's temple. Later he will discuss the peril to the man's own soul in this phase of the matter ( ), but here he considers only the effect of such conduct on the unenlightened or weak brother. This bravado at a sacrificial banquet is in itself idolatrous as Paul will show. But our weak brother will be emboldened ( οικοδομηθησετα , future passive indicative, will be built up) to go on and do what he still believes to be wrong, to eat things sacrificed to idols ( εις το τα ειδωλοθυτα εσθιειν ). Alas, how often that has happened. Defiance is flung in the face of the unenlightened brother instead of loving consideration.

‏ 1 Corinthians 8:10-11

If a man see thee which hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol's temple ( εαν γαρ τις ιδη [σε] τον εχοντα γνωσιν εν ειδωλειω κατακειμενον ). Condition of third class, a possible case. Paul draws the picture of the enlightened brother exercising his "liberty" by eating in the idol's temple. Later he will discuss the peril to the man's own soul in this phase of the matter (10:14-22), but here he considers only the effect of such conduct on the unenlightened or weak brother. This bravado at a sacrificial banquet is in itself idolatrous as Paul will show. But our weak brother will be emboldened ( οικοδομηθησετα, future passive indicative, will be built up) to go on and do what he still believes to be wrong, to eat things sacrificed to idols ( εις το τα ειδωλοθυτα εσθιειν ). Alas, how often that has happened. Defiance is flung in the face of the unenlightened brother instead of loving consideration.

Through thy knowledge ( εν τη ση γνωσε ). Literally, in thy knowledge. Surely a poor use to put one's superior knowledge.

Perisheth ( απολλυτα ). Present middle indicative of the common verb απολλυμ, to destroy. Ruin follows in the wake of such daredevil knowledge.

For whose sake Christ died ( δι' ον Χριστος απεθανεν ). Just as much as for the enlightened brother with his selfish pride. The accusative ( ον ) with δι' gives the reason, not the agent as with the genitive in 8:6 ( δι' ου ). The appeal to the death ( απεθανεν, second aorist active indicative of αποθνησκω ) of Christ is the central fact that clinches Paul's argument.