Synopsis
The city of Corinth during New Testament times was filled with temples where the people sacrificed animals to idols they considered to be gods. Thus, when the Apostle Paul preached the gospel in Corinth (Acts 18:1-17) and both Jews and Gentiles were saved, he had also the task of discipling the Christians in matters concerning idols they had once worshiped.Now that these converts believed in the true God and forsook idols as Jesus Christ became their Lord and the true God became their Father, Paul taught them that the idols considered as gods by the heathen were nonentities. They were mere figments of the imagination of man.A practical question faced by these new Christians in Corinth regarded the food they should eat. The meats that were sacrificed to idols were available in the marketplace for purchase, including the Christians. Since these meats were cheaper and the idols were considered nonentities by the Christians, Paul believed and taught that eating this food was up to each individual Christian's conscience. Paul claimed that food does not commend us to God, nor does it detract from the relationship of man to God (1 Cor. 8:8).The main point addressed in this commentary was the question about whether or not eating this food would offend a "weak" brother. This chapter was written by Paul to help develop the conscience to the point that the believer does not merely do that which pleases him, but that which brings glory to God.
About the Author
Spiros Zodhiates was born March 13, 1922 to Greek parents on the island of Cyprus. After completing his Greek education, he attended the American University in Cairo, Egypt, The National Bible Institute, and New York University. He earned his Doctor of Theology degree from Luther Rice Seminary. In addition, Dr. Zodhiates was the recipient of several honorary doctorates.
While serving in the British Army in Cairo, Egypt, Zodhiates received The Voice of the Gospel, a magazine published by The American Committee for the Evangelization of the Greeks. To pass the time, he decided to write an article for the magazine. He wrote it in English and, not thinking about it, wrote the accompanying letter in Greek. When they realized they had found someone who loved the Lord and knew both languages, they invited him to come to America in 1946.
In 1966, they elected Zodhiates as president of what is now called AMG International (Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel). Under his leadership, AMG grew from a small ministry focusing on the land of Greece to a worldwide evangelistic and relief ministry. AMG International provides a wide range of social services, including care for orphans and leprosy patients, and has an expanding evangelistic thrust of advertising the message of the gospel through paid newspaper and magazine gospel messages in many lands and languages. His mission was the regeneration of souls, but he did not ignore the physical needs of the people he met.
The author of over 200 books and booklets in English, as well as 82 in Greek, Zodhiates started a book house, AMG Publishers, which has since grown into a significant producer of Bibles and Christian books.
On October 10, 2009, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates was called home by his Heavenly Father. Throughout his six decades of leadership, Dr. Zodhiates demonstrated a profound commitment to the Word of God and a singular focus on accomplishing his calling faithfully. His style was marked by frugal stewardship, great enthusiasm, entrepreneurial courage and unexpected generosity.
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