| Chapter 8 |
1 |
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. |
2 |
But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn`t yet know as he ought to know. |
3 |
But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him. |
4 |
Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one. |
5 |
For though there are things that are called "gods," whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many "gods" and many "lords;" |
6 |
yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we to him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him. |
7 |
However, that knowledge isn`t in all men. 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. |
8 |
But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don`t eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. |
9 |
But be careful that by any means this liberty of yours doesn`t become a stumbling block to the weak. |
10 |
For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol`s temple, won`t his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? |
11 |
And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died. |
12 |
Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. |
13 |
Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forevermore, that I don`t cause my brother to stumble. |
