1 Corinthians 8
1 With reference to food that has been offered in sacrifice to idols – We are aware that all of us have knowledge! Knowledge breeds conceit, while love builds up character.
RESPECTING the sacrifices of idols, we know that in all of us there is knowledge; and knowledge inflateth, but love buildeth up.
2 If someone thinks that they know anything, they have not yet reached that knowledge which they ought to have reached.
But if a man think that he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as it behoves him to know:
3 On the other hand, if a person loves God, they are known by God.
but if a man love Aloha, this (one) is acknowledged of him.
4 With reference, then, to eating food that has been offered to idols – we are aware that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one.
Concerning the meat of the sacrifices of idols, then, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
5 Even supposing that there are so-called “gods” either in heaven or on earth – and there are many such “gods” and “lords” –
For there are also who are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as that there are gods many and lords many:
6 Yet for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom all things come (and for him we live), and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things come (and through him we live).
but to us our One is Aloha the Father, of whom are all, and we in him; and one Lord Jeshu Meshiha, by whom are all, and we by him.
7 Still, it is not everyone that has this knowledge. Some people, because of their association with idols, continued down to the present time, eat the food as food offered to an idol; and their consciences, while still weak, are dulled.
But not in every man is this knowledge; for there are some who in their conscience until now (believe) that, with respect to idols, as of that which hath been sacrificed we eat. And because of weakness their conscience is defiled.
8 What we eat, however, will not bring us nearer to God. We lose nothing by not eating this food, and we gain nothing by eating it.
But meat doth not bring us nigh to Aloha. For if we eat, we excel not; nor if we eat not, are we deficient.
9 But take care that this right of yours does not become in any way a stumbling-block to the weak.
But beware that this your power become not a stumbling-block to the infirm ones.
10 For if someone should see you who possess this knowledge, feasting in an idol’s temple, will not their conscience, if they are weak, become so hardened that they, too, will eat food offered to idols?
For if a man shall see thee in whom is knowledge reclining in the house of idols, will not his conscience, because he is weak, be confirmed to eat that which is sacrificed,
11 And so, through this knowledge of yours, the weak person is ruined – someone for whose sake Christ died!
and he will perish through thy knowledge? he who is weak, and on account of whom the Meshiha died.
12 In this way, by sinning against your fellow followers of the Lord and injuring their consciences, while still weak, you sin against Christ.
And if so you transgress against your brethren, and wound their weak consciences, do you not transgress against the Meshiha?
