Paul is about to engage on a controversial subject, so he must set the baseline, and that baseline is love.   

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.  Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God (1 Cor 8:1-3).

Knowledge can be quick and easy and feel superior.  In the world, what is often highly honored is beauty, brains and ability.  But the Bible says there is something far greater in the kingdom culture, and that is love.

But love works differently.  Love is a slow build, while knowledge is a quick puff.  It takes time to grow love, It takes a thousand deaths to ourselves and our own natural tendency towards self.  It’s why just taking superiority only through knowledge is tempting–it’s quick, easy, and quantifiable.

Now the twist in this Scripture is that we assume he is going to talk about our love for each other.  Instead he lays the foundation that love for others is a love for God.  It is the way of God.

But whoever loves God is known by God (1 Cor 8:3).

If we love God, we will obey him and that is to love one another.  A Christian is to look like “little Christs” upon the earth.

This theme is going to be necessary as he delves into a hotly debated topic of the time–food sacrificed to idols.  Should the meat that has been sacrificed or not sacrificed?  When the topic is sandwiched in love for one another, it provides the banks to the river that is running.  It is a timeless truth.

One side note is that is that Paul is not saying do not gain knowledge.  We see throughout Scripture an honor of knowledge.  This is especially true when we put it in its rightful place – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1:7).  Also we are commanded to love God with not only our heart and soul but with all our mind (Mt 22:37).

It doesn’t mean we throw out truth because anything else is “not loving.”  If that were the case, Jesus would be ostracized as well for not being loving enough.  He was no milquetoast Jesus.

But knowledge, especially the kind that is common in the world, has to be put in its right place.  Love is the driver.  Knowledge is the co-pilot.

With this foundation, Paul will now delve into controversy, but never without leaving love being the parameters.  It’s a good practice for all of us.