1 Corinthians 8
1 Now in regard to food which has been offered to idols, we are sure of course that "we all have knowledge." But knowledge puffs up, while love builds up.
Now concerning the things offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth;
2 If a man thinks that he already has knowledge, he does not yet truly know as he ought to know;
if any one think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet, as he ought to know;
3 but if a man loves God, he is known by him.
but if any one love God, the same is known by Him.
4 Now as to eating food that has been offered to idols, we know well that an idol has no real existence in the universe, and that there is no God but One.
Concerning the eating of the things offered in sacrifice to idols, then, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
5 For though there be so-called "gods," celestial of terrestrial, as indeed there are gods many and lords many,
For though there are those that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;
6 yet for there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
yet to us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we to him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.
7 But that "knowledge" is not possessed by all; but some, accustomed until now to the idol, eat food as that which has actually been offered to an idol, and so their conscience, being still weak, is defiled.
But there is not in all men this knowledge; for some, with a conscience directed toward the idol even now, eat of it as a thing offered in sacrifice to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
8 Now food does not bring us nearness to God. Neither if we eat do we gain any advantage, nor if we eat not, do we lose any.
But food will not recommend us to God; if we do not eat, we are not the worse; nor if we do eat, are we the better.
9 But see to it lest this right of yours become a stumbling-block to the weak.
But take heed, lest this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to the weak.
10 For if any one should see you, the possessor of "knowledge," reclining at table in an idol’s temple, would not his conscience, if he were weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?
For if any one see thee, who hast knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him that is weak be emboldened to eat the things offered to idols?
11 So he is lost, this weak man, lost by your "knowledge." this brother for whom Christ died.
For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, —the brother for whom Christ died!
12 In so sinning against your brothers, and in ever and again wounding their weak consciences, you are sinning against Christ.
But when ye so sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
