Verse 1 The apostle here proceeds to consider another of the subjects which the Corinthian Christians had brought to his notice in their letter to him. Among the heathen nations in those days, animals were offered in sacrifice, to idols, and then, after some part of the flesh had been consumed by fire, the remainder was restored to the owner for use as food, and sent to the markets for sale; or feasts in honor of the false deity were prepared from it, in or near the temple. Now, many of the Jews supposed that if they ate food which had been thus offered to idols, even ignorantly, they were partakers of the sin of idolatry. This was an excessive and unnecessary scrupulousness; for one is not responsible for any accidental connection he may have, in such a case, with any wicked system or practice, unless his acts exert a direct and appreciable influence in encouraging or sustaining it. Hence the direction given in 1 Corinthians 10:25. On the other hand, the Gentile converts sometimes went to the other extreme, and because they knew, as they expressed it, that an idol was nothing, they seem to have often done what greatly offended the consciences of their Jewish brethren. Hence such directions as 1 Corinthians 8:9-13,10:28. This subject was often the occasion of discussion and difficulty in the early church, (Acts 15:20; Romans 14:1-23:) and it is always settled on this admirable principle, viz., that very little intrinsic importance is to be attached to such outward and ceremonial transactions, but that still every one is to regulate his conduct, in respect to them, so as carefully to guard against doing any violence to the feelings, or even to the prejudices, of a Christian brother.--Have knowledge; think we have knowledge, as is shown to be the meaning by what follows.--Knowledge puffeth up; vain confidence in our opinions does so.--Charity; love, a feeling of kindness and good-will.