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QUESTION 3:
In 1 Corinthians 8:11, It speaks about a brother perishing. Does this not teach that a saved person can be lost again?

ANSWER:
The verse in question reads, "And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died" 1 Corinthians 8:11. Again we read, "But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy (same word for perish) not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died." Romans 14:14-15. There is no doubt that the person being destroyed is a Christian. He is in the church at Corinth and is called a "brother." He is also called a "weak brother." The word "perish" is used eighty-six times in the New Testament and it is applied in several different ways. It is said of the unsaved, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish Luke 13:3, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18. In these verses it means they die and go to hell. It is used in Hebrews 1:11, of the creation of the heavens and earth, and it tells us they will "perish." Here, is doesn't mean they will go to hell. Paul speaks of his "outward man perishing" in 2 Corinthians 4:16, and again, he doesn't mean dying and going to hell. The context of any word must be considered to obtain the true meaning. In 1 Corinthians 8:10-13, Paul is talking about those things which have been offered in sacrifice to false gods. He is saying, if a weak believer stumbles and falls through your eating this meat, he will perish. The word perish literally means "loss of well being." He is saying it will not be well for him, for you will offend him and cause him to drift away from the Lord.

Are you a brother in the Lord? Are you saved? Have you trusted Christ as your Saviour?

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen