“This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know” (1 Corinthians 8:1-2 ESV).
The Corinthians felt that they had superior knowledge about things such as food offered to idols. They knew that the idols weren’t real and they felt that they had freedom in Christ to eat meat sold from these pagan temples. Yet Paul warned that “this knowledge” by itself would make them prideful. Indeed knowledge without love is dangerous to the soul for it “puffs up” its possessor. It gives one a big head when what is needed is a bigger heart.
Paul goes on to say that those who “imagine” that they know something often don’t have the wisdom to handle such knowledge. We’ve all encountered the one who spouts off with complex words, but can’t explain things in simpler terms. This is often the clue that they don’t know as they “ought to know.”
Knowledge is good, but love is better. Love is really superior knowledge. For knowledge by itself puffs up, but love builds up. Love knows how to handle knowledge. so that the one whom love addresses is edified and built up.
As Paul says later in his letter to the Corinthians, “If I understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” Knowledge without love is worthless. As someone has said, “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”
PRAYER: Dear Father, we’re so thankful that You have not only revealed Yourself to us as the all-knowing God, but first and foremost as the One who loves us. For it was Your love that moved You to send Your Son to save us and to give us eternal life. Fill us with Your love for others today. In Jesus’ name, amen.