1 Corinthians 8 WBT
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 as concerning things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2And if any man thinketh that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3But if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.
4Therefore 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.
5For though there are that are called gods, whether in heaven or upon earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many)
6Yet 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.
7But [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.
8But food commendeth us not to God: for neither if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse.
9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours should become a stumbling-block to them that are weak.
10For if any man shall see thee, who hast knowledge, sit eating in the idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12But when ye thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13Wherefore, if food maketh my brother to fall into sin, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to fall into sin.
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