Corinth was a city which competed for affluence among the other Greek cities. They built shrines to mythical Gods and erected statues, prominently placing them around the city.
Corinth's greatest landmarks were the temple of Aphrodite and of Apollo. In these temples the Corinthians would hold elaborate ceremonies in worship of these gods.
Much like his home, Tarsus, Paul knew all about what went on in the temples. To attract people, temple ceremonies needed to be grand and glorious; for the fame of the feasts would draw travelers from a far to see the grandeur of the monuments and participate in the great feasts. To the people of Corinth this meant great commerce.
These gatherings to worship mythical gods, would have vast amounts of food, alcohol, drugs, and immorality. The temple of Aphrodite alone had 1,000 prostitutes which lived there and were dedicated to supporting travelers.
By day, the mystical stories of the war of the gods would tickle the imagination of people. By night fall, revelers would be caught up into a god like reality of their own.
The day after these grand feasts, the left over barbequed meat would be sold in the marketplace at a significantly low prices. It was cheep food and many in Corinth would go to purchase the meat; however, because this meat came from pagan rituals, many in the Christian church said it was wrong to buy. They labeled it as ungodly and this became a sore spot amongst the believers in Corinth.
Paul felt need to include this subject into his discord to the Corinthians, because in their attempt to be holy before God, they were breeding discontent and division inside their own church.
But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:3-6 (NKJV)
Quickly, Paul cuts through the problem by stating that even though the pagans worship gods, they are mythical gods; there are no other gods but one true God. Thus telling the Corinthians they are making a fuss over regular meat.
Our God does not have competition; there is no other than our God. So if there is no other god, pagan worship was in vain. The ceremony they held had no significance and the leftover food is just that; it is left over food.
However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. 1 Corinthians 8:7-8 (NKJV)
If you eat the meat or do not eat the meat, God does not care. Eating the leftover meat is not going to defile you. Jesus spoke on matters as this saying, "There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man." Mark 7:15 (NKJV)
In our church we must strengthen people's believe in God. Being superstitious is not good and we must teach our people to believe in the saving power of the blood of Christ.
Ritualistic wearing of a cross around ones neck does not saved then. Having pictures of Jesus and Mary in you’re home, or in ones car does not have any spiritual significance. Jesus, nor Mary, ever had their photo taken or painted. Having these things do nothing to change us, they are all superstition which makes people feel as if they will be accepted by God.
Dancing or not dancing, drinking alcoholic beverages or not, going to movies or not; the things you do and do not do, cannot establish your salvation.
Following a strict set of rules and making yourself live a certain way does not save from sin; for it is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to God's mercy He has saved us.
Knowing this, we can dance; but not to the point which causes us to fall into the trap and temptations of sin. Knowing Jesus came to save us from our sin and the same power that raised Him from the grave is there to help us resist sin, can allow us freedom to live and do as we please.
The problem with sin is that no matter where we are or what we are doing, we will be tempted to find ways to do things which displease God. John wrote, If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.1 John 1:6-7 (NKJV)
Paul was trying to help the Corinthian church understand their salvation. To help people to understand what salvation is, we should not be separatists from the world; but we should be examples to the world.
For the Corinthian Church any accusations raised against their partaking in food from the gods can and should be deflected with truth about Jesus Christ and His' saving grace.
As Christians we should be able to live life without life leading us into sin. This includes the activities we involve ourselves in. Therefore, let us understand our salvation and be in the world, without being trapped by the sin in the world.
