1 Corinthians 8
8
Food Sacrificed to Statues of Gods
1Now I want to deal with food sacrificed to statues of gods. We know that “We all have knowledge.” But knowledge makes people proud, while love builds them up. 2Those who think they know something still don’t know as they should. 3But whoever loves God is known by God.
4So then, here is what I say about eating food sacrificed to statues of gods. We know that “a god made by human hands is really nothing at all in the world.” We know that “there is only one God.” 5There may be so-called gods either in heaven or on earth. In fact, there are many “gods” and many “lords.” 6But for us there is only one God. He is the Father. All things came from him, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord. He is Jesus Christ. All things came because of him, and we live because of him.
7But not everyone knows this. Some people still think that statues of gods are real gods. They might eat food sacrificed to statues of gods. When they do, they think of it as food sacrificed to real gods. And because those people have a weak sense of what is right and wrong, they feel guilty. 8But food doesn’t bring us close to God. We are no worse if we don’t eat. We are no better if we do eat.
9But be careful how you use your rights. Be sure you don’t cause someone weaker than you to fall into sin. 10Suppose you, with all your knowledge, are eating in a temple of one of those gods. And suppose someone who has a weak sense of what is right and wrong sees you. Won’t that person become bold and eat what is sacrificed to statues of gods? 11If so, then your knowledge destroys that weak brother or sister for whom Christ died. 12Suppose you sin against them in this way. Then you harm their weak sense of what is right and wrong. By doing this, you sin against Christ. 13So suppose what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin. Then what should I do? I will never eat meat again. In that way, I will not cause them to fall.
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1 Corinthians 8
8
Food Offered to Idols
1#1Co 8:7; 8:4Now as concerning food offered to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge produces arrogance, but love edifies. 2#1Co 3:18; 13:8–9So if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3#Gal 4:9; Ex 33:12But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
4#Dt 6:4; 4:39So concerning the eating of foods 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. 5#2Th 2:4For there are those who are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as there are many gods and many lords. 6#Jn 1:3; Mal 2:10; Ro 11:36But for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist. And there is one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7#Ro 14:14; 1Co 8:9–10However, not everyone has this knowledge. Some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat the food as a thing offered to an idol. So their weak conscience is defiled. 8#Ro 14:17But food does not commend us to God. Neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
9#Gal 5:13; Ro 14:20–21; 14:1–2But take heed, lest by any means this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10For if anyone sees you, who have knowledge, eating in the idol’s temple, shall the conscience of him who is weak not be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols, 11#Ro 14:15; 1Co 8:13and by your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12#Mt 25:45; 18:6When you thus sin against the brothers, wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13#Ro 14:21; 2Co 11:29Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to stumble.
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