1 Corinthians 8

Food Offered to Idols

1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he does not yet know as he ought to know; 3but if anyone loves God, he is known by him.

4Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is no God except one. 5For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many gods and many lords—

6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we for him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and we through him.

7However, not all have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as something sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

8But food will not commend us to God; neither if we do not eat are we worse, nor if we eat are we better.

9But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if anyone sees you, who have knowledge, reclining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be built up to eat things sacrificed to idols?

11For through your knowledge the weak one is destroyed—the brother for whom Christ died. 12And thus, sinning against the brothers and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

13Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat forever, so that I may not cause my brother to stumble.