1 Korinther 8

1 Was dann das Opferfleisch betrifft, so setzen wir voraus, daß wir alle die Erkenntnis haben. Die Erkenntnis bläht auf, die Liebe erbaut.

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.

2 Dünkt sich einer etwas erkannt zu haben, so hat er noch nicht erkannt, wie man erkennen muß.

Those who think that they thoroughly know something do not yet know it as they should.

3 Wenn aber einer Liebe zu Gott hat, der ist von ihm erkannt.

But as for those who love God, they know that they belong to him.

4 Was also das Essen des Opferfleisches angeht: so wissen wir, daß kein Götze in der Welt ist, und daß es keinen Gott gibt außer dem einen.

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.

5 Mag es auch sogenannte Götter geben, sei es im Himmel sei es auf Erden, - es sind ja der Götter viele und der Herrn viele -

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.

6 so gibt es doch für uns nur Einen Gott, den Vater, den Schöpfer aller Dinge, der unser Ziel ist, und Einen Herrn Jesus Christus, den Mittler aller Dinge, der auch unser Mittler ist.

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.

7 Aber nicht bei allen ist die Erkenntnis zu Hause; da sind noch manche, die, bisher an die Götzen gewöhnt in ihren Gedanken, das Götzenopferfleisch als solches essen, und deren Gewissen, schwach wie es ist, dadurch befleckt wird.

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.

8 Nun, auf unser Essen kommt es nicht an vor Gott; wir sind nicht besser, wenn wir essen; wir sind nicht weniger, wenn wir nicht essen:

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.

9 dagegen sehet zu, daß die Macht, die ihr darin habt, nicht den Schwachen zum Anstoß werde.

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.

10 Wenn einer dich mit deiner Erkenntnis im Götzenhause zu Tisch sitzen sieht, muß nicht sein Gewissen, da er doch ein Schwacher ist, dadurch ermutigt werden, Opferfleisch zu essen?

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]

11 Da wird denn durch deine Erkenntnis der Schwache ins Verderben gestürzt, um dessentwillen Christus gestorben ist.

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]).

12 Wenn ihr euch so an den Brüdern versündigt und ihr schwaches Gewissen verwundet, so sündigt ihr an Christus.

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!

13 Darum wenn das Essen meinem Bruder Anstoß gibt, so will ich in Ewigkeit kein Fleisch essen, damit ich meinem Bruder keinen Anstoß gebe. (aiōn g165)

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)