1 Corinthians 8
1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
NOW concerning the things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.
But if any man conceit that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But the one who loves God is known by God.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one.
Now concerning eating things sacrificed unto idols: we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords),
For though there are gods so called, whether celestial or terrestrial, (as of this sort there are gods many, and lords many; )
6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.
but to us there is one God, the Father; of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
Howbeit there is not in all men this knowledge; but some having conscientious respect for the idol to this moment, eat the meat as sacrificed to the idol; and their conscience being weak, is defiled.
8 But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither if we eat are we the better, or if we eat not are we the worse.
9 Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
But take heed that this power of yours become not an occasion of stumbling to the weak.
10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols?
For if any man see thee that hast knowledge, sitting in an idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?
11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
And the weak brother will be destroyed by thy knowledge, for whom Christ died.
12 By sinning against your brothers in this way and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
