1 Now concerning food
sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.”
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 Anyone who claims to know
something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; 3 but anyone who
loves God is known by him.
4 Hence, as to the eating of
food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really
exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 Indeed, even though there
may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many
gods and many lords— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from
whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 It is not everyone, however,
who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols
until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an
idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 “Food will not
bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no
better off if we do. 9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not
somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if others see you,
who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not,
since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating
food sacrificed to idols? 11 So by your knowledge those weak believers
for whom Christ died are destroyed. 12 But when you thus sin against
members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you
sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I
will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.
CONTINUE |