1 Corinthians 8

1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.2 If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;3 but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.4 Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one.5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.7 Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.8 But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.10 For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?11 For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.12 And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.13 Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.

1 Corinthians 8

Food Sacrificed to Idols

1 With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that “we all have knowledge.”s Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.2 If someone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know to the degree that he needs to know.

3 But if someone loves God, het is known by God.t
4 With regard then to eating food sacrificed to idols, we know that “an idol in this world is nothing,” and that “there is no God but one.”s5 If after all there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),

6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we live, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we live.t
7 But this knowledge is not shared by all. And some, by being accustomed to idols in former times, eat this food as an idol sacrifice, and their conscience, because it is weak, is defiled.8 Now food will not bring us close to God. We are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do.9 But be careful that this liberty of yours does not become a hindrance to the weak.10 For if someone weak sees you who possess knowledge dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience be “strengthened”t to eat food offered to idols?11 So by your knowledge the weak brother or sister,t for whom Christ died, is destroyed.t12 If you sin against your brothers or sisterst in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

13 For this reason, if food causes my brother or sister to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I may not cause one of themt to sin.