1 Corinthians 8 -- New Testament -- Gospel Daily

1 Corinthians

Chapter 8

Meat Offered to Idols and Christian Liberty

Paul addresses the question of eating meat offered to idols. While all Christians have knowledge that an idol is nothing and there is only one God, not everyone possesses this knowledge; some with a weak conscience eat meat offered to idols and are defiled. Paul teaches that meat does not commend us to God—whether we eat or abstain is neither better nor worse. However, believers must take heed lest their liberty becomes a stumbling block to the weak. If a weak brother sees one with knowledge eating in an idol's temple, his conscience may be emboldened to eat and be destroyed through his brother's knowledge, and thus one sins against Christ. Paul resolves that if meat causes his brother to offend, he will not eat flesh while the world stands.

Christian libertyConscience and weaknessStumbling block to believersLove over knowledge

¹Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

²And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

³But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

⁴As 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.

⁵For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

⁶But 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.

⁷Howbeit 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.

⁸But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

⁹But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

¹⁰For 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;

¹¹And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

¹²But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

¹³Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.