The Right Way to Learn Knowledge

The Right Way to Learn Knowledge

In the Christian life, it’s easy to think that once we’ve learned a few truths or understood a few doctrines, we’ve arrived at spiritual maturity. But the Bible warns us against that kind of thinking. True growth is not just about knowing facts—it’s about how we carry that knowledge, how we treat others, and whether our understanding leads to humility or pride. One verse that speaks directly to this is 1 Corinthians 8:2, which says, “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” This is not a harsh statement—it’s a loving correction from the apostle Paul, reminding us that knowledge without love and humility is incomplete.

The context of this verse is a discussion about eating meat that had been offered to idols. In Corinth, some believers knew that idols were nothing and that eating such meat was not sinful. They had the right doctrine, but they were using their liberty without thinking about how it affected weaker believers who didn’t yet understand these things. Paul begins the chapter by saying, “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” In other words, knowledge can make us proud, but love builds others up. Verse 2 follows this thought by showing that if someone thinks he knows something fully, he probably hasn’t yet learned how to handle that knowledge in the way God wants.

The lesson here is simple but important. God is not just interested in what we know—He cares about how we use that knowledge. If our understanding leads us to look down on others, or to act without care for their spiritual wellbeing, then we haven’t yet learned the truth properly. Paul is teaching that true knowledge must be joined with love, patience, and humility. In the dispensation of grace, we are called to walk in truth, but also to walk in charity. That means we must be careful not to let our liberty become a stumbling block for someone else. Even if we are right in doctrine, we can be wrong in attitude.

This verse also reminds us that spiritual maturity is not about having all the answers—it’s about having the right heart. The believer who thinks he has nothing more to learn is already missing something. God wants us to keep growing, not just in knowledge, but in grace. We are stewards of His truth, and that stewardship includes being gentle, considerate, and mindful of others. As Paul says elsewhere, “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient” (2 Timothy 2:24). And again, “If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise” (1 Corinthians 3:18).

So, when we read 1 Corinthians 8:2, we should not feel discouraged, but invited. Invited to examine our hearts, to ask whether our knowledge is helping others or just serving ourselves, and to remember that the goal of learning truth is not to be proud, but to be useful in the Lord’s work. Let us keep growing in understanding, but let us also grow in love, humility, and care for the body of Christ.

Additional scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Timothy 2:24; Romans 14:15; Galatians 5:13