1 Corinthians 8

1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.

3 But the one who loves God is known by God.

4 So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords),

6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.

7 But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people with consciousness of the idol still eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.

8 But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no better if we do not eat, and no worse if we do.

9 Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols?

11 Should this weak brother, for whom Christ died, be destroyed by your knowledge?

12 By sinning against your brothers in this way and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to stumble.

1 ¶ Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

4 ¶ As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one.

5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6 But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him.

7 ¶ Howbeit [there is] not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat [it] as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8 But meat 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 heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

1 But of the sacrifice made to idols we know: for we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up; but love mendeth.

2 But if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth not yet how he ought to know.

3 But if any man love God, he is known of him.

4 We know therefore of the meat of the sacrifice made to idols, that there is no idol in the world, neither is there any other God without some.

5 And though they be called gods, whether in heaven, or in earth, yet there be many gods, and many lords:

6 We have one God the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7 But not every man hath knowledge. For some still make a conscience over the idol, and eat it for sacrifices made to idols: so their conscience, being so weak, is tainted.

8 But food doth not profit us in the sight of God. If we eat, we shall not be better for it; if we do not eat, we shall not be less for it.

9 But take heed that this liberty of yours be not an offence to the weak.

10 For if thou, which hast knowledge, seest any man sitting at meat in the house of idols, shall not his conscience, because he is weak, cause him to eat things sacrificed unto idols?

11 And so over thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died.

12 But if ye thus sin against the brethren, and smite their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13 Therefore if the meat offended my brother, I would eat no more meat, lest I should offend my brother.