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.
De iis autem, quæ idolis sacrificantur, scimus quia omnes scientiam habemus. Scientia inflat, charitas vero ædificat.
2 Those who think that they thoroughly know something do not yet know it as they should.
Si quis autem se existimat scire aliquid, nondum cognovit quemadmodum oporteat eum scire.
3 But as for those who love God, they know that they belong to him.
Si quis autem diligit Deum, hic cognitus est ab eo.
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.
De escis autem, quæ idolis immolantur, scimus quia nihil est idolum in mundo, et quod nullus est Deus, nisi unus.
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.
Nam etsi sunt qui dicantur dii sive in cælo, sive in terra (siquidem sunt dii multi, et domini multi):
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.
nobis tamen unus est Deus, Pater, ex quo omnia, et nos in illum: et unus Dominus Iesus Christus, per quem omnia, et nos per ipsum.
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.
Sed non in omnibus est scientia. Quidam autem cum conscientia usque nunc idoli, quasi idolothytum manducant: et conscientia ipsorum cum sit infirma, polluitur.
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.
Esca autem nos non commendat Deo. Neque enim si manducaverimus, abundabimus: neque si non manducaverimus, deficiemus.
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.
Videte autem ne forte hæc licentia vestra offendiculum fiat infirmis.
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]
Si enim quis viderit eum, qui habet scientiam, in idolio recumbentem: nonne conscientia eius, cum sit infirma, ædificabitur ad manducandum idolothyta?
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]).
Et peribit infirmus in tua scientia frater, propter quem Christus mortuus est?
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!
Sic autem peccantes in fratres, et percutientes conscientiam eorum infirmam, in Christum peccatis.
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)
Quapropter si esca scandalizat fratrem meum: non manducabo carnem in æternum, ne fratrem meum scandalizem. (aiōn g165)
