1 Corinthians 8
1 Now concerning those things that are sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up; but charity edifieth.
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he hath not yet known as he ought to know.
If anyone thinks he knows something, that person does not yet know as he should know.
3 But if any any love God, the same is known by him.
But if anyone loves God, that person is known by him.
4 But as for the meats that are sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one.
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol in this world is nothing and that there is no God but one.
5 For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on earth (for there be gods many, and lords many).
For maybe so-called gods do exist, either in heaven or on earth, just as there are many “gods” and many “lords.”
6 Yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Yet for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we live, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things exist, and through whom we exist.
7 But there is not knowledge in every one. For some until this present, with conscience of the idol: eat as a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
However, this knowledge is not in everyone. Instead, some previously practiced idol worship, and they eat this food as if it were something sacrificed to an idol. Their conscience is thereby corrupted because it is weak.
8 But meat doth not commend us to God. For neither, if we eat, shall we have the more; nor, if we eat not, shall we have the less.
But food will not present us to God. We are not worse if we do not eat, nor better if we do eat it.
9 But take heed lest perhaps this your liberty become a stumblingblock to the weak.
But take care that your freedom does not become a reason for someone who is weak in faith to stumble.
10 For if a man see him that hath knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not his conscience, being weak, be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to idols?
For suppose that someone sees you, who have knowledge, eating a meal in an idol's temple. Is not his weak conscience emboldened to eat what is offered to idols?
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ hath died?
So because of your understanding about the true nature of idols, the weaker one, the brother for whom Christ died, is destroyed.
12 Now when you sin thus against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Thus, when you sin against your brothers and wound their weak consciences, you sin against Christ.
