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.
Now as concerning things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 If someone thinks that they know anything, they have not yet reached that knowledge which they ought to have reached.
And if any man thinketh that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 On the other hand, if a person loves God, they are known by God.
But if any man loveth God, the same is known by 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.
Therefore as concerning the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, 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 though there are that are called gods, whether in heaven or upon earth, as 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).
Yet to us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, 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 there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol to this hour eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience being weak 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 food commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 But take care that this right of yours does not become in any way a stumbling-block to the weak.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours should become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
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 any man shall see thee who hast knowledge sit eating in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And so, through this knowledge of yours, the weak person is ruined – someone for whose sake Christ died!
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ 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.
But when ye thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
