The idea of tolerance in light of the premises contained in the Letters of St. Paul (Part One: preliminary study)

Abstract

The idea of tolerance, which plays an important role in today's world, should be reflected on in light of the Word of God. St. Paul never uses the word tolerance, however, in some texts he writes about the phenomenon which describes this word, namely in 1 Cor 8–10 and in 1 Cor 5:1–13; 6:1–11; Rom 14 (where he uses the verb "to judge" – krinein). This article is to discuss the preliminary study, including the analysis of 1 Cor 8–10. Christians must follow Jesus and be tolerant (cf. Mk 9:40: "Whoever is not against us is for us[1]"). Tolerance means to accept somebody’s individuality. Understanding the message of Jesus is achieved only through dialogue with those who have different views and beliefs, and non-Christians. In his letters, St. Paul corrects the way of understanding of tolerance by the addressees of the letters. In 1 Cor 8–10, St. Paul describes the inappropriate attitude of those who had "knowledge”, saying that "knowledge puffs a person up with pride" (1 Cor 8:1). He corrects their attitudes by saying: "Love builds up" (1 Cor 8:1). In this sentence, love is the equivalent of tolerance toward those who have not acquired the complete Gospel "knowledge" recommended by St. Paul. Thus, tolerance is not any autonomous or absolute value, but it is subordinate to love. This principle should be regarded as the fundamental thesis, which governs everything St. Paul ever wrote on tolerance (and intolerance) in other texts that will be analyzed in our next article published in “Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia”.

[1] All citations from: Good News New Testament. Today’s English Version.