How does a weak believer's conscience get defiled by eating meat offered to idols?
The weak believer's conscience is defiled because he eats the meat while still conscious of the idol, not understanding that the idol is powerless. He knows where the meat had been and eats it as a thing offered to an idol, so his weak conscience is defiled.
Les explains that Paul says some of the Corinthians, even though they were saved, still did not comprehend our God compared to the powerless gods of idols. For these weak, young-in-the-faith believers, knowing where that meat had gone before it got to the table, they had reservations about eating it. Whenever you are under a pagan society, the pagan religious leaders keep people under control by saturating them with superstition. Thus, the weak believer eats with conscience of the idol, as a thing offered to an idol, and his weak conscience is defiled.
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
Why is a weak believer's conscience defiled when he eats meat offered to idols?
A weak believer's conscience is defiled because he still connects the meat to the idol and eats it as something offered to an idol. Lacking knowledge of the true God compared to powerless idols, he has reservations, and his weak conscience condemns him for eating what he believes is idol-related.
Why did weak young believers have reservations about eating meat that had been offered to idols?
Paul explains that some Corinthians were saved but lacked knowledge of the true God compared to powerless idols. Knowing the meat had been offered to an idol before reaching their table, these weak young believers had reservations about eating it, and their weak conscience was defiled.
More Questions
Who are the weak believers Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 8?
The 'weak' believers Paul refers to are young in the faith believers.