1Cor.8.1
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1Cor.8.1
The question keeps coming up regarding meat that has been offered up to an idol: Should you attend meals where such meat is served, or not? We sometimes tend to think we know all we need to know to answer these kinds of questions--
1Cor.8.1
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
1Cor.8.1
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
1Cor.8.1
Now let's talk about food that has been sacrificed to idols. You think that everyone should agree with your perfect knowledge. While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church.
1Cor.8.2
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1Cor.8.2
but sometimes our humble hearts can help us more than our proud minds.
1Cor.8.2
The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.
1Cor.8.2
And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
1Cor.8.2
Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much.
1Cor.8.3
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
1Cor.8.3
We never really know enough until we recognize that God alone knows it all.
1Cor.8.3
But the man who loves God is known by God.
1Cor.8.3
But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
1Cor.8.3
But the person who loves God is the one God knows and cares for.
1Cor.8.4
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.
1Cor.8.4
Some people say, quite rightly, that idols have no actual existence, that there's nothing to them, that there is no God other than our one God,
1Cor.8.4
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one.
1Cor.8.4
Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
1Cor.8.4
So now, what about it? Should we eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God and no other.
1Cor.8.5
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
1Cor.8.5
that no matter how many of these so-called gods are named and worshiped they still don't add up to anything but a tall story.
1Cor.8.5
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"),
1Cor.8.5
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),
1Cor.8.5
According to some people, there are many so-called gods and many lords, both in heaven and on earth.
1Cor.8.6
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.
1Cor.8.6
They say--again, quite rightly--that there is only one God the Father, that everything comes from him, and that he wants us to live for him. Also, they say that there is only one Master--Jesus the Messiah--and that everything is for his sake, including us. Yes. It's true.
1Cor.8.6
yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
1Cor.8.6
yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
1Cor.8.6
But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we exist for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.
1Cor.8.7
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.
1Cor.8.7
In strict logic, then, nothing happened to the meat when it was offered up to an idol. It's just like any other meat. I know that, and you know that. But knowing isn't everything. If it becomes everything, some people end up as know-it--alls who treat others as know-nothings. Real knowledge isn't that insensitive. We need to be sensitive to the fact that we're not all at the same level of understanding in this. Some of you have spent your entire lives eating "idol meat," and are sure that there's something bad in the meat that then becomes something bad inside of you. An imagination and conscience shaped under those conditions isn't going to change overnight.
1Cor.8.7
But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
1Cor.8.7
However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
1Cor.8.7
However, not all Christians realize this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated.
1Cor.8.8
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.
1Cor.8.8
But fortunately God doesn't grade us on our diet. We're neither commended when we clean our plate nor reprimanded when we just can't stomach it.
1Cor.8.8
But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
1Cor.8.8
But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
1Cor.8.8
It's true that we can't win God's approval by what we eat. We don't miss out on anything if we don't eat it, and we don't gain anything if we do.
1Cor.8.9
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1Cor.8.9
But God does care when you use your freedom carelessly in a way that leads a Christian still vulnerable to those old associations to be thrown off track.
1Cor.8.9
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
1Cor.8.9
But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
1Cor.8.9
But you must be careful with this freedom of yours. Do not cause a brother or sister with a weaker conscience to stumble.
1Cor.8.10
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;
1Cor.8.10
For instance, say you flaunt your freedom by going to a banquet thrown in honor of idols, where the main course is meat sacrificed to idols. Isn't there great danger if someone still struggling over this issue, someone who looks up to you as knowledgeable and mature, sees you go into that banquet? The danger is that he will become terribly confused--maybe even to the point of getting mixed up himself in what his conscience tells him is wrong.
1Cor.8.10
For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols?
1Cor.8.10
For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?
1Cor.8.10
You see, this is what can happen: Weak Christians who think it is wrong to eat this food will see you eating in the temple of an idol. You know there's nothing wrong with it, but they will be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been dedicated to the idol.
1Cor.8.11
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
1Cor.8.11
Christ gave up his life for that person. Wouldn't you at least be willing to give up going to dinner for him--because, as you say, it doesn't really make any difference? But it does make a difference if you hurt your friend terribly, risking his eternal ruin!
1Cor.8.11
So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
1Cor.8.11
And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
1Cor.8.11
So because of your superior knowledge, a weak Christian, for whom Christ died, will be destroyed.
1Cor.8.12
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
1Cor.8.12
When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ. A free meal here and there isn't worth it at the cost of even one of these "weak ones."
1Cor.8.12
When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
1Cor.8.12
But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
1Cor.8.12
And you are sinning against Christ when you sin against other Christians by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong.
1Cor.8.13
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
1Cor.8.13
So, never go to these idol-tainted meals if there's any chance it will trip up one of your brothers or sisters. [JC]
1Cor.8.13
Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
1Cor.8.13
Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
1Cor.8.13
If what I eat is going to make another Christian sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live--for I don't want to make another Christian stumble.
