1 Corinthians 8
The Corinthians are reminded that knowledge alone is not enough, and that true understanding comes from loving God. While idols are nothing and there is only one true God, some people's consciences are weak and may be polluted by eating food sacrificed to idols. Those with knowledge must be careful not to lead weaker brothers into sin by their actions, and should be willing to sacrifice their own desires for the sake of others.
1Now concerning those things that are sacrificed to idols: we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but charity builds up2But if anyone considers himself to know anything, he does not yet know in the way that he ought to know3For if anyone loves God, he is known by him4But as to the foods that are immolated to idols, we know that an idol in the world is nothing, and that no one is God, except One5For although there are things that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, (if one even considers there to be many gods and many lords6yet we know that there is only one God, the Father, from whom all things are, and in whom we are, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and by whom we are7But knowledge is not in everyone. For some persons, even now, with consent to an idol, eat what has been sacrificed to an idol. And their conscience, being infirm, becomes polluted8Yet food does not commend us to God. For if we eat, we will not have more, and if we do not eat, we will not have less9But be careful not to let your liberty become a cause of sin to those who are weak10For if anyone sees someone with knowledge sitting down to eat in idolatry, will not his own conscience, being infirm, be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols11And should an infirm brother perish by your knowledge, even though Christ died for him12So when you sin in this way against the brothers, and you harm their weakened conscience, then you sin against Christ13Because of this, if food leads my brother to sin, I will never eat meat, lest I lead my brother to sin
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