“1 Corinthians 8–13,” Scripture Helps: New Testament (2024)
Scripture Helps
1 Corinthians 8–13
Some Church members in Corinth were influenced by pagan beliefs and practices. The Apostle Paul addressed the question of whether it was acceptable to eat meat offered to pagan idols. He taught about the ordinance of the sacrament. He also counseled about the custom of women using hair coverings during worship services. Paul taught the Saints about spiritual gifts, emphasizing the importance of charity above all other gifts.
Resources
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Background and Context
Why were some converts concerned about eating meat offered to idols?
In Paul’s day, some of the meat sold in the markets of Corinth and other cities had been used as offerings in pagan worship. Faithful Jews felt that the law of Moses prohibited them from eating this meat. Moreover, at the Jerusalem Council, James had specifically directed gentile converts to the Church to “abstain from meats offered to idols.” Paul’s letter indicates that some of the recent gentile converts in Corinth felt it was okay to eat this meat.
Paul reminded Church members that idols represent false gods and mean nothing. Paul also reminded the Corinthians that the food we eat does not determine our salvation. So they were no better off for eating the meat or worse off if they did not. However, Paul was concerned that eating the meat could give others the impression that Christians encouraged pagan rituals. Paul recommended that they abstain from eating this meat to avoid giving others the wrong impression.
What did Paul mean that there are “gods many, and lords many”?
Paul taught that idols, or false gods, do not exist. He affirmed that “there is but one God, the Father, … and one Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Prophet Joseph Smith provided additional insight: “I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit; and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods. …
“Some say I do not interpret [Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians 8:5] the same as they do. They say it means the heathen’s gods. Paul says there are Gods many and Lords many; and that makes a plurality of Gods. … I have a witness of the Holy Ghost, and a testimony that Paul had no allusion to the heathen gods in the text.”
Why was Paul “all things to all [people]”?
Paul did not want to offend others who had different cultural traditions. He was committed to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with all people. He willingly adapted his behavior to minister to people of different backgrounds. This does not mean that he accepted false doctrines or practices. His loyalty was not to any culture or country but to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What can we learn from Paul’s comparison to running a race?
Ancient Greek and Roman people placed great importance on athletic contests. The ancient Olympic games were highly anticipated events that happened every few years throughout the Mediterranean area. The Isthmian games, held in Corinth, were very similar to the Olympic games. Athletes competed for the prize of the winner’s crown, which was made of leaves or pine branches. Paul pointed out that athletes strive for temperance, or self-control. He was probably referring to the strict diets and training routines that athletes adopt to prepare for competition.
Paul wrote that followers of Jesus Christ are likewise running a race, not against others but against sin and the challenges of mortal life. Church members work to overcome temptation and achieve spiritual self-mastery. The reward is not a perishable crown but a crown of eternal life.
What did Paul want the Corinthian Saints to know about the experiences of the children of Israel?
When Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, the Lord blessed them with many miracles. The Lord divided the Red Sea so the children of Israel could cross on dry ground. Paul taught that this crossing symbolizes baptism. Later, Moses struck a rock and caused water to come out of it. Paul explained that the rock represents Jesus Christ. The water symbolizes the words and teachings of Jehovah, including the counsel from His servant Moses. Some of the children of Israel followed the spiritual instructions given in the wilderness. Unfortunately, others murmured and failed to follow the Lord’s direction. For example, they committed sexual sins and made offerings to a golden calf. They also complained about the miraculous food the Lord provided when they were hungry. Paul warned the Corinthian Saints not to make these same mistakes. The Joseph Smith Translation makes it clear that Paul’s warning is also directed to us today: “And they were written for our admonition also, and for an admonition for those upon whom the end of the world shall come.”
What did Paul teach about partaking of the sacrament and pagan sacrifices?
Paul contrasted the sacrament with the feasts associated with pagan celebrations. Just as participation in the sacrament creates a bond and partnership with Christ, participation in a pagan feast created a bond and relationship with a false god. Paul warned the Corinthian Saints that “if they insist on partaking of both meals (the Lord’s Supper and pagan sacrifices) they will end up provoking the Lord similar to the way ancient Israel had. At issue was more than the consumption of meat offered to idols. Paul’s point is that ‘the strong’ were walking in dangerous territory and could provoke God to jealousy with dire results.”
What did Paul mean when he said that “all things are lawful”?
Paul quoted and rejected a slogan that was common among the Corinthians: “All things are permissible.” It appears that some Corinthian Saints were using this slogan to justify sinful behavior.
The King James Version of the Bible includes the words “all things are lawful for me.” Most other translations do not include the words “for me.” Moreover, the Joseph Smith Translation clarifies the phrase as “all things are not lawful for me.” In other words, Paul was not speaking about himself. Instead, he was rejecting the idea that their new freedom in Christ meant everything was now appropriate.
Why were women required to wear head coverings while praying?
In Paul’s day, Jews, Greeks, and Romans all had standards regarding head coverings. For example, in Roman society it was considered respectable for women to cover their heads while in public.
From this scripture passage, we learn that women in Corinth participated in worship services and were expected to cover their heads while doing so. Paul noted that women who worshipped with an uncovered head brought dishonor. In Paul’s day, dishonor was a serious matter. Dishonor brought a person, or those associated with them, shame and humiliation.
It appears that some men and women were going against the accepted customs of their day. Their reasons for doing so are unclear. What is clear is that Paul “encouraged Christians to conform with contemporary standards of modesty and decorum.”
What are spiritual gifts?
“Spiritual gifts are blessings or abilities given by God to His children through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Paul explained that the gifts of the Spirit allow the Savior’s disciples to meet the needs of others. For a brief description of different spiritual gifts, see Topics and Questions, “Spiritual Gifts,” Gospel Library.
Why did Paul compare the Church to the human body?
Just as each part of the body performs a necessary function, so each member of the Church has a unique role to play. President Jeffrey R. Holland wrote: “It is an immensely satisfying thing to be needed in the body of Christ—and everyone is needed. Whether we function as an eye or arm is irrelevant; the fact is we are needed in this most majestic structure, and the body is imperfect without us.”
What is charity?
The term charity in the King James Version of the Bible comes from the Greek word agapē. President Russell M. Nelson taught: “The New Testament’s original Greek language … [has] three different words for love, in contrast to the one available to us in the English language. The three Greek words for love apply at different levels of emotion. The term employed for the highest level of love is agapē, to describe the kind of love we feel for the Lord or for other highly esteemed individuals. It is a term of great respect and adoration.” The Book of Mormon teaches us that “charity is the pure love of Christ.” Only when we have charity can we become like Jesus Christ.
What importance did Paul place on the gift of charity?
After teaching about spiritual gifts, Paul encouraged the Saints to “covet earnestly the best gifts.” He then explained that the gift of charity is “a more excellent way.” In other words, charity is something “immeasurably better” than other spiritual gifts. It is not only the greatest gift but “the basis on which all the others operate.” Without charity, Paul proclaimed, we are nothing. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught: “Paul’s message to this new body of Saints was simple and direct: Nothing you do makes much of a difference if you do not have charity. You can speak with tongues, have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries, and possess all knowledge; even if you have the faith to move mountains, without charity it won’t profit you at all.”
How did Paul use a mirror to describe mortal understanding?
The knowledge we have during this life is imperfect. Paul explained that our limited perspective is like looking at our reflection in a dark mirror. In Paul’s day, a mirror was often polished metal, which would not have shown a clear image. Someday we will have perfect knowledge, like seeing a person face to face rather than seeing an unclear reflection in a metal mirror. The Holy Ghost helps us to see things from God’s perspective.
Learn More
Gifts of the Spirit
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Dallin H. Oaks, “Spiritual Gifts,” Ensign, Sept. 1986, 68–72
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Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 115–24
Charity
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Michelle D. Craig, “Divine Discontent,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 53–54
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Jeffrey R. Holland, “Behold Thy Mother,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 47–50
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Quentin L. Cook, “Great Love for Our Father’s Children,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 76–80
Media
Video
“Charity Never Faileth” (3:36)
Images
The Last Supper, by Simon Dewey
The Last Supper, by Harry Anderson