1 Corinthians 8

Food Offered to Idols

1 Now concerningt food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.t

4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one."5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed 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 exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eatingt in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged,t if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.12 Thus, sinning against your brotherst and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

1 Corinthians 8

1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.2 But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn’t yet know as he ought to know.3 But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him.4 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one.5 For though there are things that are called “gods,” whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many “gods” and many “lords”;6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.7 However, that knowledge isn’t in all men. But some, with consciousness of the idol until now, 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. For neither, if we don’t eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.9 But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.10 For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol’s temple, won’t his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?11 And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died.12 Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

13 Therefore if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forevermore, that I don’t cause my brother to stumble.