Holiness, Knowledge, & Knowing
1 Corinthians 8.1-13
Questions of Conscience, What Is Revealed, and What is Reasoned
1. Contemplate How We Know What We Know (8.1-2a)
John 1:18 - No one has ever seen God; the only (unique generation of) God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (“exegeted him”)
Metaphorically: to draw out in narrative, unfold a teaching
to recount, rehearse
to unfold, declare the things relating to God
used in Greek writing of the interpretation of things sacred and divine, oracles, dreams, etc.
John 8.31-32: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8.42-45: “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.
Q1 - If Jesus “exegetes” the Father, and if the truth must be experienced to really be known, does that mean true spiritual life is merely a personal, subjective affair?
Q2 - If there is an objective component to true, spiritual life, how is that discerned?
Consider an example from math. Which answer is more logical?
3 + 6 × 2 = 18
3 + 6 × 2 = 15
2. Analyze the Trinity of Knowing (8.1-3)
Grammar/Language, Logic, and Rhetoric properly related facilitate an experiential encounter with meaning/truth
- Grammar/Language: What is symbolized
- Logic: What is understood; facts arranged in non-contradiction
- Rhetoric: What persuades, convicts, leads to change