II Corinthians 8

“Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies” (v1).  In Paul’s time, eating meat sacrificed to idols was a way of proclaiming loyalty to that idol and gaining access to its “power.”  As a believer, Paul knew that idols were powerless, and therefore eating this kind of meat was harmless.  But new believers still had shaky loyalties, perhaps still being tempted to go back to idols-worship, and they could be confused by seeing fellow Christians eat this meat. Therefore, Paul said, make the choice that helps your weaker brother (v12-13).

Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but we can use it like a weapon to bruise others.  In God’s kingdom, the ruling value is love.