Knowledge puffs up while love edifies is Paul’s opener to address the concern the Corinthians had about eating food sacrificed to idols. The words “knowledge puffs up” send me to the image of a puffed-up male turkey, glorious in its majestic spread-out tail feathers, brightly colored snood and wattle and moving majestically to impress hens or intimidate rivals. The turkey’s prancing, with its display of glory, offers no benefit to the flock; it is purely self-satisfying. Similarly, in humans, knowledge can bring personal glory, be self-satisfying and self-beneficial.
On the other hand, “Love edifies” means that through acts of love like kindness and sacrifice, the person who offers love is edified by doing those acts and edifies the receivers of those acts. Love is not parasitic; it should be mutually beneficial. For example, being kind helps the beneficiaries, but it also builds the character of the person being kind. In the end, as love or rather acts of love increases in the church, the church is built up to be a living embodiment of Jesus.
So, what was the issue that made Paul use “Knowledge puffs up while love edifies” as an opener? Apparently, some believers, particularly those considered more mature, visited idol temples to eat food sacrificed to idols. It was an issue because some other less mature believers thought believers should not eat food offered to idols. Paul did not give a simple yes or no answer. Instead, he urged the Corinthians to consider the impact of the mature believers’ actions on others. The mature believers knew that idols have no real existence and there is only one God. However, for the less mature believers, idols were real and eating their food pricked their conscience into sin. Therefore, Paul advises, if eating this food causes a brother to sin, choose love and abstain from that food. The spiritual well-being of everyone was more important.
The wisdom Paul imparted to the Corinthians transcends time, echoing in our modern relationships. Just as it was then, so it is now: it is indeed valuable to possess knowledge and much more valuable when it builds others and helps them grow. However, when we act on knowledge that others do not share, and our actions lead them into sin, we should abstain from those actions. And it is not only when knowledge leads others into sin that we need to consider our actions but also if our knowledge makes others feel less of themselves or excluded. For example, in online discussions, someone might use their knowledge of a topic to belittle others, rather than educate them. This creates division, not unity. Another example is when knowledge is used as a weapon for control or a symbol of importance. When this happens, the knowledgeable person refuses to share their knowledge because they are afraid it will diminish their importance or control over, for example their children, subordinates, or team members.
Choosing love means avoiding certain actions or places that could cause others to stumble. For example, in the home, choosing love may mean a partner choosing not to watch a favorite horror movie because they know it will influence the other. In the workplace, it will be a senior colleague choosing to patiently mentor a junior colleague by sharing their expertise and offering encouragement with no expected favors in return. This act of love not only helps the junior colleague grow, but also fosters a positive and supportive work environment. Consider how we react to people’s social media posts, even the posts that spread misinformation. Love would prompt us to privately and respectfully address the issue, edifying the community rather than creating public shame. Choosing love means using knowledge in a way that benefits and builds community including the church community, family, online community, and friends. It can also mean actively guiding others to the same level of knowledge through effective teaching and prayer. And letting love be the underlying element that binds everything together. In essence, love guides our knowledge, so that we uplift, not elevate, and build bridges, not walls.
Personally, I have found that when I share my knowledge with a heart of service, and not of pride, that the relationships around me grow stronger. It is a constant battle, but when I choose to love, I always see positive results. How does love shape your sharing of knowledge? Share your experiences below and let us learn from each other.
This piece is based on 1 Corinthians 8.
But knowledge puffs up while love edifies* (builds up) 1 Corinthians 8:1b NIV.
*Translation personalized.
