This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.

1 Corinthians 8:1-3, Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” 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. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

Paul addresses a particular problem in that culture not found in our own culture today. He is really just asking us to be careful that when we have more knowledge in some area of His grace that we consider others who may not know what we know. And even though we have some additional knowledge, even that is limited by our own nature! Our world honors knowledge, but He asks us to build each other up in love.

Give us discretion in the knowledge that You have given us that we may honor others and build them up in Your love.

ESV Lectionary