Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 8:1 (New English Translation)

With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

This is one of those verses that I dislike. I am educated, well educated, probably overly educated. I have a lot of knowledge. This verse puts knowledge in its place relative to love, and knowledge comes in a distant second.

Did I mention that I don’t like this verse? Surely there is something else to understanding this verse. There must be something twisted in the translation. But I doubt it. The verse means just about what it says.

People with a lot of knowledge are tempted to show their knowledge and live their knowledge as some sort of badge that proclaims, “I am better than the rest of you.”

Love builds up the body of Christ—the church. Love brings unbelievers to the body of Christ. Love keeps the body of Christ together. Yes, knowledge has a place and plays a role, but folks like me have to keep it in second place.