< 1 Corinthians 8 >

1 Now [I will answer what you asked] about [us believers] eating meat that has been sacrificed to idols. [We know what some of you say, that God has enabled] all of us [to] know [the truth about things such as idols. But often we become] proud because we say that we know [all those things]. But instead of being proud about what we know, we should show that we love [our fellow believers by helping them to] become spiritually mature.
And concerning sacrifices to idols, we know, that in all of us there is knowledge; and knowledge inflateth, but love edifieth.
2 Those who think that they thoroughly know something do not yet know it as they should.
And if any one thinketh that he knoweth any thing he knoweth nothing yet, as he ought to know it.
3 But as for those who love God, they know that they belong to him.
But if any one loveth God, that man is known of him.
4 So [I will tell you] about eating meat that people have sacrificed to idols. We know that it is true, [as you say], that idols are not really alive. We also know that there is only one real God.
As to the eating of the sacrifices of idols, therefore, we know that an idol is nothing in the world; and that there is no other God, but one.
5 It is true that there are gods whom people think live in the heavens or whom they think live on earth. Truly, there are many beings that [people] call gods, and whom [they] call lords.
For although there are what are called gods, whether in heaven, or on earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many, )
6 But for us [believers] there is only one real God. He is [our heavenly] Father who created everything. He is the one whom we [worship and serve]. Also, for us believers Jesus Christ is the one and only Lord. He is the one whom [God caused] to create everything. It is because of what he [has done for us on the cross] that we have [spiritual] life.
yet to us, on our part, there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord, Jesus the Messiah, by whom are all things, and we also by him.
7 Nevertheless, some people do not understand [that idols are not really alive]. In the past, some among you who are believers now were accustomed to believing that idols [were really alive]. As a result, when they eat such meat [now], they still think that it was sacrificed to an idol [that is alive]. They are not sure [that God allows believers to eat meat that has been offered to idols]. So, [when they eat such meat], they think that they have sinned.
But there is not this knowledge in every man; for there are some, who, to the present time, in their conscience, eat it as an offering to idols; and because their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
8 But God will not think more highly about us [if we eat certain] foods, or if we do not eat [certain foods]. That is, we are not more acceptable to God if we do not eat certain foods, nor are we more acceptable to him if we eat those foods.
But food doth not bring us near to God; for if we eat, we do not abound; and if we eat not, we are not in want.
9 However, be sure that you do not do anything that God allows you to do, if by doing that you would encourage any of [your fellow believers to do something that] they are not sure [God allows them to do]. As a result, you would be causing them to sin.
See to it, however, lest this your authority become a stumbling-block to the weak.
10 For example, you know [that idols are not really alive]. Suppose that in a temple [where they worship] idols you eat [food that has been sacrificed to idols]. Suppose that someone who is not sure whether God allows us to eat that food sees you eating it. [You] would be encouraging him to eat it, too. [RHQ]
For if one should see thee in whom there is knowledge, reclining in the temple of idols, will not his conscience, seeing he is a weak person, be encouraged to eat what is sacrificed?
11 As a result, you who know that [idols are not really alive], might cause that fellow believer, one for whom Christ died, (to be ruined [spiritually]/to stop believing [in Christ]).
And by thy knowledge, he who is feeble, and on account of whom the Messiah died, will perish.
12 By sinning against your fellow believer by causing him to do something that he thinks God does not allow us to do, [it is as though] you are sinning against Christ himself!
And if ye thus sin against your brethren, and wound the consciences of the feeble, ye sin against the Messiah.
13 So if [I, Paul, think that by] eating a certain food I might cause a fellow believer to be ruined spiritually, I will never eat such food again. I do not want to cause any fellow believer (to be ruined spiritually/to stop believing in Christ). [And you should] ([do as I do/imitate my example]). (aiōn g165)
Wherefore, if food is a stumbling-block to my brother, I will for ever eat no flesh, lest I should be a stumbling-block to my brother. (aiōn g165)

< 1 Corinthians 8 >