How does this verse connect with Jesus' teachings on love in the Gospels? Setting the Scene 1 Corinthians 8:1: “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘We all possess knowledge.’ Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” Jesus’ Voice on Love in the Gospels • Matthew 22:37-39 — “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart…’ …‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” • John 13:34-35 — “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another.” • Matthew 7:12 — “In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.” • Luke 10:27-37 — The Good Samaritan shows love in action, not theory. Shared Emphasis: Love Over Mere Knowledge • Paul warns that knowledge, by itself, inflates ego; Jesus warns that loveless religiosity misses the point (Matthew 23:23). • Both call for love that edifies others—Paul says “builds up,” Jesus says “love one another as I have loved you.” • True understanding of doctrine manifests in self-giving service, mirroring Christ’s sacrificial life. Love That Builds Up: Practical Echoes • Freedom vs. Responsibility (1 Corinthians 8:9): knowledge gives freedom, but love limits that freedom for another’s good—just as Jesus laid aside divine privilege to serve (Philippians 2:5-8). • Edification over Exhibition: Jesus teaches giving, praying, fasting in secret (Matthew 6). Paul echoes: let your behavior aim at another person’s growth, not your own acclaim. • Unity in Community: Jesus prays for oneness (John 17:21); Paul safeguards unity by urging a love that refuses to trip up a “weaker brother.” Living It Out Today • Value relationships above being “right.” • Use biblical knowledge to serve, not to score points. • Seek opportunities where love can “build up” someone’s faith—especially if personal liberties might confuse or wound them. The verse and the Gospels converge: authentic discipleship is measured not by the size of one’s learning but by the reach of one’s love. |
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