1 Corinthians 8 ASV
Summary: Paul takes up the question of food sacrificed to idols, noting that "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" (v. 1) and that while an idol has no real existence and there is only one God and one Lord, not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some believers, formerly accustomed to idols, still have a weak conscience that is defiled if they eat food offered to an idol, believing it to be real. Paul therefore urges the Corinthians to be careful that their liberty not become a stumbling block to the weak, concluding, "if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble" (v. 13).
1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
2If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;
3but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.
4Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one.
5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;
6yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.
7Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.
9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.
10For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?
11For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.
12And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.
13Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.
Also read this chapter in: KJV, WEB, WYC, GNV, WBT, DBY, YLT