1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love builds up. 2But anyone who thinks that he knows anything does not yet know as he should know. 3On the other hand, if anyone loves God, such a person 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 other God but one. 5Indeed, although there are [many] things called “gods” in the heavens or on earth—and there are many [so-called] “gods” and many “lords”—6yet, to us, there is one God the Father, from whom are all things; and we [are] for him; and one Lord Jesus Christ through whom are all things, and we live through him. 7However, such knowledge is not found in everyone. There are some who eat things sacrificed to an idol with awareness of the idol, and their conscience (being weak) is defiled. 8But food does not commend us to God, for if we eat, we are not better; and if we do not eat, we are not worse! 9However, be careful that your freedom may never become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if someone sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol’s temple, will not this person’s conscience, if weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11And thus, through your knowledge, shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ! 13Therefore, if food causes my brethren to stumble, I will never ever eat meat, so that I may not cause my brethren to stumble.
Paul’s apostleship—His rights
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
