< 1 Corinthians 8 >
1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
Now as concerning things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love (agape) edifies.
2 But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
And if any man think that he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him.
But if any man love God, the same is known of 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 God but one.
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing 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;"
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many, )
6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 However, not all have this knowledge. But some, being so accustomed to idols until now, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
Nevertheless there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8 But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we do not eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.
But food commends us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumbling block to them that are weak.
10 For if someone 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?
For if any man see you which have knowledge sit to eat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whom the Christ died.
And through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
But when all of you sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, all of you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forevermore, that I do not cause my brother to stumble. (aiōn )
Wherefore, if food make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, lest I make my brother to offend. (aiōn )