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Where Does Christian Freedom End?
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Buy 1 Corinthians Chapter 8 at:
ISBN: 0899574696
MSRP $17.99 118 Pages
5.5 x 8.5 inches
Trade Paperback
The city of Corinth during New Testament times was filled with temples where the people sacrificed animals to idols they considered to be gods. Thus, when the Apostle Paul preached the gospel in Corinth (Acts 18:1-17) and both Jews and Gentiles were saved, he had also the task of discipling the Christians in matters concerning idols they had once worshiped.
Now that these converts believed in the true God and forsook idols as Jesus Christ became their Lord and the true God became their Father, Paul taught them that the idols considered as gods by the heathen were nonentities. They were mere figments of the imagination of man.
A practical question faced by these new Christians in Corinth regarded the food they should eat. The meats that were sacrificed to idols were available in the marketplace for purchase, including the Christians. Since these meats were cheaper and the idols were considered nonentities by the Christians, Paul believed and taught that eating this food was up to each individual Christian's conscience. Paul claimed that food does not commend us to God, nor does it detract from the relationship of man to God (1 Cor. 8:8).
The main point addressed in this commentary was the question about whether or not eating this food would offend a "weak" brother. This chapter was written by Paul to help develop the conscience to the point that the believer does not merely do that which pleases him, but that which brings glory to God.
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About the Author: |
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Spiros Zodhiates was born to Greek parents on the island of Cyprus. After completing his Greek education, he attended the American University in Cairo, Egypt, The National Bible Institute (now Shelton College), and New York University. He earned his Doctor of Theology degree from Luther Rice Seminary. In addition, Dr. Zodhiates has been the recipient of several honorary doctorates.
In 1946, he came to the United States at the invitation of the American Mission to the Greeks, Inc. At that time, there were two part-time employees who met in a small, one-room office. Dr. Zodhiates became president of this organization in 1966. Now known as AMG International ('Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel'), it carries on a worldwide evangelistic and relief ministry and has its headquarters in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Dr. Zodhiates is a recognized authority on the Greek New Testament, and has edited an edition of the Modern Greek New Testament that was published by the Million Testaments Campaign and the American Bible Society. He is the author of numerous exegetical books and booklets in both the Greek and English languages. In addition, he is heard daily on the New Testament Light radio program, released over a network of stations across the United States and Canada. Click here to learn more about Spiros Zodhiates. |
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