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Is it “arrogant” to be knowledgeable?

Claim:

Paul writes, “Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies” (1 Cor. 8:1). Should Christians pursue knowledge, or is this an “arrogant” thing to do?

Response:

Paul isn’t writing about all knowledge; he is speaking about specific knowledge. Elsewhere, Paul encourages the Romans for being “filled with all knowledge” (Rom. 15:14). When writing to the Corinthians, he writes, “Even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge” (2 Cor. 11:6; c.f. 1 Cor. 1:5; 12:8; Eph. 4:13; Phil. 1:9). Therefore, Paul cannot be speaking against all kinds of knowledge –only a specific kind. In context, Paul is referring to the knowledge of idols (8:1, 7). This specific knowledge makes them arrogant, because they were using this knowledge abusively (8:11).

About The Author
James Rochford

James earned a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, graduating magna cum laude. He is the founder of Evidence Unseen and the author of several books. James enjoys serving as a pastor at Dwell Community Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and their two sons.

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