CHAPTER 8
Now
about
food
sacrificed to idols:
We know
that
we all have
knowledge.
Knowledge
puffs up,
but
love
builds up.
So
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.
For
even
if
there are
so-called
gods,
whether
in
heaven
or
on
earth
(as
there are
many so-called
gods
and
lords),
yet
for us
there is but one
God,
the
Father,
from
whom
all
things came
and
for
whom
we exist.
And there is but
one
Lord,
Jesus
Christ,
through
whom
all
things came
and
through
whom
we exist.
But
not
everyone
has
this
knowledge.
Some
people
are still so accustomed
to idols
that they eat such food
as if
it were sacrificed to an idol.
And
since their
conscience
is
weak,
it is defiled.
But
food
does not bring us closer
to
God:
We are no worse
if
we do not eat,
and
no
better
if
we do.
For
if
someone
with
a weak
conscience
sees
you
who
are well informed
eating
in
an idol’s temple,
will he not
be
encouraged
to
eat
food
sacrificed to idols?
By sinning
against
your
brothers
in this way
and
wounding
their
weak
conscience,
you sin
against
Christ.
Therefore,
if
what I eat
causes
my
brother to stumble,
I will never eat
meat
again,
so that
I will not cause
him to stumble.