Evidently, the Corinthians’ letter to Paul (see 1 Corinthians 7:1) contained some questions regarding food offered to idols. It is impossible to know exactly what these questions were, and what had moved the Corinthians to ask them. Nevertheless, Paul will devote his attention to this matter from in 1 Corinthians 8:1 – 10:33.

Paul had almost certainly instructed the Corinthians about this matter before. The Jerusalem Council had years ago decreed that believers are to abstain from food that was offered to idols (Acts 15:20, Acts 15:29). It can be expected that Paul would pass on this decision to every church he planted. In 1 Corinthians 8:1 – 10:33 we find him defending this decision from various angles, rather than giving a full-fledged explanation of it.

Ancient writings and archeological findings provide us with much information regarding pagan offering practices of the time. We know that many pagan temples had dining halls attached to them, where people, after bringing an offering, could eat of the sacrificial meat. The dining hall formed part of the temple complex and was also considered sacred. Thus, the meal was inextricably connected to the offering ritual.

Bringing a sacrifice (and having the accompanying meal) was no normal, everyday event. The rituals would require a whole day to perform. There were preparations such as ceremonial washings and the burning of incense. Finally, after the animal had been slaughtered at the altar and the gods had received their parts to eat, the rest of the meat could be prepared for the meal in the dining hall.

There is also evidence that sacrificial meat could be taken home, or even sold on the market.  Yet it should also be said that, for most people, meat was a rare luxury. When people did eat meat, it would normally be fish (which was, in any case, not considered to be a sacrificial animal).

Before directly addressing the matter of food offered to idols, Paul puts his finger on a deeper, underlying problem. From the Corinthians’ letter (or from what Paul’s visitors had reported to him) it seems that the church members are more concerned about the knowledge that they think they possess than about love.

The difference between (so-called) knowledge and love is that the one puffs up, while the other builds up. In other words: the one creates a false sense of greatness, while the other brings true strength and greatness.