However, Paul brought to their attention the danger of their being puffed up or conceited in their knowledge in relationships with the weaker Christians that had not reached this level of understanding of their liberty in Christ. These Corinthian believers having this knowledge of their liberty were using it to down grade or abase their brethren having a lesser understanding of their liberty. He tells them that they were to work under the umbrella of love and to edify or uplift their weaker brother with their knowledge. These Corinthian believers were exalting themselves in their knowledge of their liberty and in their secular knowledge. But Paul told them that they really knew nothing because the love of God was not the influence behind their knowledge.
Love is required to have true knowledge that has a useful purpose.
Our love for our brethren must be demonstrated in order to reveal our love for God. When love for our neighbor is carried out, this love is approved by God and he claims us as a true follower of him. It is an image and not a representation of God in the world. He created the world by his spoken word and made man from the dust of the earth and he is ruler of all that is in his creation. Jesus was in the flesh and was visible to man but never ceased being God, for God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself.