"Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies."
1 Corinthians 8:1 NASB1995
Definitions:
Knowledge - (Greek) Γνῶσις / Gnōsis / Gno'-sis - From G1097; knowing (the act), that is, (by implication) knowledge: - knowledge, science.
Arrogant - (Greek) φυσιόω / phusioō / Foo-see-o'-o - From G5449 in the primary sense of blowing; to inflate, that is, (figuratively) make proud (haughty): - puff up.
Edifies - (Greek) οἰκοδομέω / oikodomeō / oy-kod-om-eh'-o - From the same as G3619; to be a house builder, that is, construct or (figuratively) confirm: - (be in) build (-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden.
Application:
Knowledge makes arrogant. You look at the meaning of that Greek word translated "arrogant" and you see that it comes from the idea of inflating. As in, inflating one's ego. And how true that is! Knowledge does indeed make arrogant. It tempts us to pride and leads us to a superiority complex. The more we know, if not tempered by love, the more likely we are To be filled up and puffed up with self-reliance, self-importance, and self period. Knowing this truth should be a guard to us against such self-destructive sin.
Pride is incredibly dangerous. It is warned against time and time again throughout the Bible. Pride was present in the fall in the garden of Eden. Pride has gone before the destruction of many great men, and even more not so great. While not certainly important, and valuable, and helpful, it is only such if it is accompanied with wisdom and love.
Love takes knowledge, and instead of puffing one's own ego up, it uses that knowledge to serve and build up others. That's what edification is about. Building up through teaching. That includes teaching oneself. 1 Corinthians 8 is a prime example of that; where knowledge is being given, but demonstrated how to be used with love. This would result in the building up of all. This should be the goal of all Christians, and we have no greater example of that than Jesus Christ Himself, who possessed all knowledge and yet possessed all humility and love as well. And look at what He has built with it!!!
Preachers and teachers especially have to be careful of the trap of knowledge. To have a job, a responsibility, to dispense information one must first gain the information - gain the knowledge. You must be a possessor of it. If you possess it with the wrong attitude, with foolishness, then you only bring about problems for yourself and those you teach. In a secular setting this is true, and how much more so in the spiritual setting of the Lord's church. No one should be preaching or teaching without first understanding the responsibility of doing so with humility in love to edify.
True knowledge, godly knowledge, brings about humility, care, and service. It brings about love. As we looked at in 1st Corinthians 13, one can possess all knowledge but without love it is meaningless. Love brings meaning to knowledge. It brings godly purpose to knowledge. May we all grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and in so doing, edify in love according to His will.
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