Dr. Pothana

2. Controve
rsy at
Corinth
1 Corinthians 8-10

3. Love VERSUS Knowledge
(1 Corinthians 8:1-12)
 The Issue: Can believers eat food
sacrificed to idols?
 Knowledge says, “Yes!”
 The Catch: Some do not have knowledge!
 The Danger: By relying solely on
knowledge you may become a stumbling
block and sin against Christ! (Psa. 51:3-4)
3

4. Love VERSUS Liberty
 Liberties & Rights are forfeited for love
(1 Corinthians 8:13; 9:1-18)
 Love considers the well-being of the souls
of others (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
 Love demands self-discipline
(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
 Liberty can become liability
(1 Corinthians 10:1-29)
4

5. My Liberty VERSUS Your Conscience:
Three Guiding Principles:
Glorify God (10:31)
Give NO OFFENSE (10:32)
Seek others’ profit, not your own.
(10:33)
5

6. 1 Corinthians 8

7. 1 Corinthians 8:1,“concerning”
7

8. . 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning
things offered to idols: We know that we all
have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but
love edifies.
8

9. 1 Corinthians 8:1
Knowledge Puffs Up
• . 1 Corinthians 8:1 …Knowledge makes
arrogant, but love edifies.
• . 1 Corinthians 4:6 …so that no one of you
will become arrogant…
• . 1 Corinthians 4:18 Now some have
become arrogant…
• . 1 Corinthians 4:19 …not the words of
those who are arrogant but their power.
• . 1 Corinthians 5:2 You have become
arrogant and have not mourned… 5

10. 1 Corinthians 8:2-3
1
0
• . 1 Corinthians 8:2 If anyone supposes that
he knows anything, he has not yet known as
he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God,
he is known by Him.
• Let's get our priorities in order;
• Would you rather think you know something,
or be known by God?

11. 1 Corinthians 8:4, Idolatry
1
1
• . 1 Corinthians 8:4 Therefore concerning
the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know
that there is no such thing as an idol in the
world, and that there is no God but one.

12. 1 Corinthians 8:4, Idolatry Sacrifices
To Demons
1
2
• . 1 Corinthians 8:4 …we know that there is
no such thing as an idol in the world…
• Idols, idolatry, Yoga, martial arts, and false
religions, are nothing but they can be a means to
channel demons;
• . 1 Corinthians 10:20 No, but I say that the
things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice
to demons and not to God; and I do not want
you to become sharers in demons.

13. 1 Corinthians 8:5
“many gods and many lords”
• . 1 Corinthians 8:5 For even if there are so-
called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as
indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6
yet for us there is but one God…
• . John 10:34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not
written in your law,`I said, “You are gods”? 35 "If He
called them gods, to whom the word of God
came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),
• . Psalm 82:6 I said, "You are gods, And all of
you are sons of the Most High.
• . Galatians 4:8 …when you did not know God, you
served those which by nature are not gods.
10

14. 1 Corinthians 8:4-5
Jesus Is “kurios”
• In the LXX same exact “Lord” (2962, “kurios” Jehovah,
Lord) is in;
• . Genesis 2:8 The LORD [“kurios”] God planted a
garden…
• . Exodus 3:4 When the LORD [“kurios”] saw that he
turned aside to look, God [“kurios”] called to him from the
midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!… 3:15 …say to
the sons of Israel, 'The LORD [“kurios”], the God of your
fathers…This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-
name to all generations.
• . Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD [“kurios”]
is our God [“kurios”], the LORD [“kurios”] is one!

15. 1 Corinthians 8:4-5
Jesus Is Jehovah “kurios”
• The LXX Jehovah, YHWH, “my Lord” “kurios” is the
same exact “kurios” as;
• . Luke 2:11 for today in the city of David there
has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
[“kurios”].
• . 2 Peter 1:11 …entrance into the eternal
kingdom of our Lord [“kurios”] and Savior Jesus Christ…
• . 2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord [“kurios”] and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of
eternity. Amen.

16. 1 Corinthians 8:4-5
Jesus The Only “Savior”
• Jesus is the only “Savior” Almighty God;
• . Luke 2:11 …born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
[“kurios”].
• . Isaiah 43:3 "For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One
of Israel, your Savior…
• . Isaiah 43:11 "I, even I, am the LORD, And there is no
savior besides Me.
• . Isaiah 45:15 Truly, You are a God who hides Himself, O
God of Israel, Savior!
• . Isaiah 45:21 …the LORD? And there is no other God
besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none
except Me.
• Isaiah 49:26, 60:16, 63:8, 2 Timothy 1:10, Titus 1:3-4, 2:13

17. 1 Cor 8:6, Trinity / Tri-unity
17
• . 1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is but one
God, the Father, from whom are all things and we
exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom
are all things, and we exist through Him.
• . Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD [LXX=“kurios”] will be
king over all the earth; in that day the LORD
[LXX=“kurios”] will be the only one, and His name the only
one.
• . Rev 17:14 …the Lamb will overcome them,
because He is Lord [“kurios”] of lords and King of kings…

18. 1 Cor 8:6, Trinity / Tri-unity
18
• . 1 Corinthians 8:6 …and one Lord, Jesus Christ…
• . 1 Timothy 6:14 …our Lord [“kurios”] Jesus Christ, 15
which He will bring about at the proper time-- He who
is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings
and Lord [“kurios”] of lords,
• . 1 Timothy 1:16 …Jesus Christ might demonstrate
His perfect patience as an example for those who
would believe in Him for eternal life. 17 Now to the
King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be
honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

19. 1 Cor 8:6, “we exist through Him"
19
• . 1 Corinthians 8:6 …Jesus Christ, by whom are all
things, and we exist through Him.
• . John 1:3 All things came into being through Him, and
apart from Him nothing came into being that has come
into being.
• . Colossians 1:15 And He is the image of the invisible
God, the first-born of all creation. 16 For by Him all things
were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible
and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or
authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for
Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things
hold together.

20. 1 Cor 8:6, “we exist through Him"
19
• If anything exists, and we do, there has to be a
cause for that effect. There must be a first
cause. There has to be an un-caused Cause.
Logic, reason, and science demand a Creator
of everything. The Cause must be greater than
the effect. Therefore, since we are personal,
intelligent, and have a moral nature, the Cause
must be greater than us, personal, more
intelligent, more alive, more powerful, and
more moral. A good God;

21. 1 Corinthians 8:7-8
Walk In Liberty
21
• . 1 Corinthians 8:7 However not all men have this
knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol
until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and
their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But food will
not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we
do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. [is legalism from a
weak conscience?]
• . Mark 7:19 because it does not go into his heart,
but into his stomach, and is eliminated?" (Thus He
declared all foods clean.)
• . Colossians 2:16 Therefore no one is to act as your
judge in regard to food or drink…

22. 1 Cor 8:9-13, Walk In Liberty
• . 1 Corinthians 8:9 But take care that this
liberty of yours does not somehow become a
stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees
you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's
temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be
strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For
through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined,
the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so,
by sinning against the brethren and wounding their
conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble,
I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause
my brother to stumble. 24

23. 1 Cor. 8:9, Walk In Liberty
23
• . 1 Corinthians 8:9 But take care that this liberty
of yours does not somehow become a stumbling
block to the weak.
• . Psalm 119:45 And I will walk at liberty, For I
seek Your precepts.
• . 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit,
and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
• . 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but
not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for
me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

24. 1 Cor 8:9, Walk In Liberty
24
• Christians have the greatest freedom because we
chose the way of the Lord, liberty in Christ. Rather
than remain a slave to sin.
• Non-Christians view Christianity as a set of rules
and regulations that are restrictive and
smothering. But the Scriptures say Jesus came to
set us free from the law of sin and death.
• . Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon
me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring
good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind
up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to
captives And freedom to prisoners;

25. THE END
28

27. 1 Corinthians 9:1
“apostle” or “Apostle”
• . 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not
an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
Are you not my work in the Lord?
• Greek and English imply “yes” answers.
• <652> ἀπόστολος apostolos
• Meaning: a messenger, one sent on a mission,
an apostle…
• Usage: apostle(19), apostles(52), apostles'(5),
messenger(1), messengers(1), is sent(1).
5

28. “sent”, Mission, Missionary
• mission …a group of people sent on a
mission…
• ORIGIN …from Latin missio(n-), from mittere
‘send.’
• missionary… a person sent on a religious
mission…
• ORIGIN, …from modern Latin missionarius,
from Latin missio (see mission)…
6

29. 1 Corinthians 9:1, An Apostle
• 1 Corinthians 9:1 …Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?…
• When did Paul see Jesus?
• . Acts 9:3 …he was approaching Damascus, and
suddenly a light from heaven flashed… heard a voice
saying to him … 7 And the men who traveled with him
stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. 8
And Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes
were open, he could see nothing…
• . Acts 23:11 …the Lord stood at his side and said,
"Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My
cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also."
7

30. 1 Corinthians 9:2
Do We Save Folks Or Does The LORD?
• . 1 Corinthians 9:2 If to others I am not an
apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal
of my apostleship in the Lord.
• . 1 Corinthians 9:19 …I have made myself a
slave to all, so that I may win more.
• . 1 Corinthians 9:20 …so that I might win
those who are under the Law;
• . 1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak I became
weak, that I might win the weak; I have become
all things to all men, so that I may by all means
save some.
8

31. 1 Corinthians 9:2
Do We Save Folks Or Does The LORD?
• . Romans 11:14 if somehow I might move to
jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of
them.
• . 2 Timothy 2:10 For this reason I endure all
things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that
they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ
Jesus and with it eternal glory.
• . 1 Corinthians 10:33 just as I also please all men in
all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit
of the many, so that they may be saved.
9

32. Let’s Read 1 Corinthians 9:3-5
. 1 Corinthians 9:3 My defense to those who
examine me is this: 4 Do we not have a right to eat and
drink? 5 Do we not have a right to take along a believing
wife, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of
the Lord, and Cephas?

33. • . 1 Corinthians 9:4 Do we not have a
right to eat and drink?

34. 1 Corinthians 9:4
A Right To Drink?
• . Deuteronomy 14:24 "And if the distance is so great
for you that you are not able to bring the tithe… 25 then
you shall exchange it for money… 26 "And you may spend
the money for whatever your heart desires, for oxen, or
sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart
desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD
your God and rejoice, you and your household.
• . Psalm 104:14 He [the LORD] causes the grass to grow
for the cattle, And vegetation… So that he may bring forth
food from the earth, 15 And wine which makes man's heart
glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food
which sustains man's heart.
1
3

35. 1 Corinthians 9:5
• 1 Corinthians 9:5 Do we not have a right to take along a
believing wife…?
• Matthew 8:14 When Jesus came into Peter's home,He
saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever.

36. 1 Corinthians 9:5
Jesus’ Mother And Brothers
• 1 Corinthians 9:5 …even as the rest of the
apostles and the brothers of the Lord and
Cephas?
• Matthew 12:46...speaking to the crowds,
behold, His mother and brothers were standing
outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47 Someone
said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your
brothers are standing outside seeking to speak
to You.”

37. Let’s Read 1 Corinthians 9:6-14

38. 1 Corinthians 9:6
Right To Not Work, Paid Pastors?
• . 1 Corinthians 9:6 Or do only Barnabas andI
not have a right to refrain from working?
• . 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we
were with you, we used to give you this order: if
anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to
eat, either.
• . 1 Timothy 5:17 The elders who rule well are
to be considered worthy of double honor,
especially those who work hard at preaching and
teaching.
1
8

39. 1 Corinthians 9:6
Worker Worthy Of His Wages
• Luke 10:7 …the laborer is worthy of his wages…
• 1 Timothy 5:17 The elders who rule well are to be
considered worthy of double honor, especially those
who work hard at preaching and teaching.

40. 1 Corinthians 9:11 Sowing And
Reaping
• . 1 Corinthians 9:11 If we sowed spiritual things in
you, is it too much if we reap material things from
you?
• . 2 Corinthians 9:6 Now this I say, he who sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully.
• . Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not
mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also
reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will
from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows
to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
23

41. Let’s Read 1 Corinthians 9:15-18

42. 1 Corinthians 9:16, Preach
. 1 Corinthians 9:16
For if I preach the
gospel, I have nothing
to boast of, for I am
under compulsion; for
woe is me if I do not
preach the gospel.

43. 1 Corinthians 9:16, Preach
• . Galatians 5:11 But I, brethren, if I still preach
circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the
stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.
• Being spiritual, or even very religious, won't get you
persecuted, but the gospel will.
• . 2 Timothy 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season
and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great
patience and instruction.
• . Luke 6:22 "Blessed are you when men hate you,
and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name
as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.

44. . Romans 8:35
Who will separate us
from the love of
Christ? Will
tribulation, or
distress, or
persecution, or
famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword?

46. 1 Corinthians 9:16, Preach The Word
• 1 Corinthians 9:16 …woe is me if I do not
preach the gospel.
• Acts 20:26-27 "Therefore, I testify to you this
day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
27 "For I did not shrink from declaring to you
the whole purpose of God.
• 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me
to baptize, but to preach the gospel…

47. 1Cor 9:16, Evangelism
Reach Out To Someone
• . . . the righteous are bold as a lion. —Proverbs
21:29

48. Evangelism
1Cor 9:16
woe is me if I
do not preach
the gospel…

49. Let’s Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

50. 1 Corinthians 9:20
Under The Law Of Christ
• . 1 Corinthians 9:20 To the Jews I became as a Jew,
so that I might win Jews; to those who are under
the Law, as under the Law though not being
myself under the Law, so that I might win those
who are under the Law;
• . 1 Corinthians 9:21 to those who are without law,
as without law, though not being without the law
of God but under the law of Christ, so that I
might win those who are without law.
• Rom. 2:12, 3:19, 1 Co. 9:20-21, Gal. 3:23, 4:4-5, 5:18

51. 1 Corinthians 9:20
Paul Was Ceremonially Clean
• 1 Cor 9:20 To the Jews I became as a Jew…
• Acts 24:18 I was ceremonially clean when they
found me in the temple courts doing this…
• Paul kept the Law but was not under the Law…
• . Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and
of death.
• . 1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to
God, who gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ.

52. 1 Corinthians 9:21, The Law Of Christ
• . Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and
thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
• . Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of
death.
• . Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for
righteousness to everyone who believes.
• . Galatians 5:4 You have been severed from Christ,
you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have
fallen from grace.
• Romans 6:14 …you are not under law, but…grace;
• John 1:17 . . . the law was given through Moses; grace
and truth were realized through Jesus Christ;

53. 1 Corinthians 9:23, Can God Use Me?
. 1 Corinthians
9:23 I do all things for
the sake of the
gospel, so that I may
[subjunctive] become a
fellow partaker of it.
Paul looked toward
eternal rewards

54. Let’s Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

55. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Strive For Eternal Rewards
• . 1 Corinthians 9:24 …run in a race… Run
in such a way that you may win. 25 …
competes …exercises self-control in all things.
… an imperishable. 26 … I run… I box …not
beating the air; 27 … I buffet my body and
make it my slave, lest … I myself should be
disqualified.

56. 1 Corinthians 9:24, "run" for Christ
• . 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run
in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in
such a way that you may win.
• Every Christian has been “qualified” to run the race. Not
every Christian we will receive a reward for their service
to Christ;
• . 1 Corinthians 3:13 each man's work will become
evident; for the day will show it because it is to be
revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality
of each man's work. 14 If any man's work which he has
built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any
man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he
himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.
• We should "run" for Christ like Paul.

57. 1 Corinthians 9:24, "run" for Christ
• . Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so
great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also
lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so
easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us,
• . Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of
endurance, so that when you have done the will of
God, you may receive what was promised [crowns,
rewards].
• . 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd
appears, you will receive the unfading crown of
glory.
• . Revelation 3:11 …hold fast what you have, so
that no one will take your crown.

58. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
45

59. 1 Corinthians 9:25,
Five Heavenly Crowns
• 1) The Imperishable Crown, 1 Cor 9:24-25
• 2) The Crown of Rejoicing, 1 Thess 2:19
• 3) The Crown of Righteousness, 2 Tim 4:8
• 4) The Crown of Glory, Peter 5:4
• 5) The Crown of Life, Revelation 2:10
4
7

60. 1 Corinthians 9:27, Be prepared
• 1 Cor 9:27, …I myself will not be disqualified.
• Unknown, “As the minister stepped up to the
pulpit he discovered to his chagrin that he had
forgotten his sermon notes. As it was too late
to send someone for them, he turned to the
congregation and said, by way of apology, that
this morning he should have to depend upon
the Lord for what he might say, but that for
the evening service, he would be better
prepared.”
• 2 Timothy 2:15, 21

61. In closing;
50

62. THE END
51