1 Corinthians 8:7-9
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Practical Rules. 7 But not all have this knowledge. There are some who have been so used to idolatry up until now that, when they eat meat sacrificed to idols, their conscience, which is weak, is defiled.(A)
8 [a]Now food will not bring us closer to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, nor are we better off if we do.(B) 9 But make sure that this liberty of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak.(C)
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- 8:8–9 Although the food in itself is morally neutral, extrinsic circumstances may make the eating of it harmful. A stumbling block: the image is that of tripping or causing someone to fall (cf. 1 Cor 8:13; 9:12; 10:12, 32; 2 Cor 6:3; Rom 14:13, 20–1). This is a basic moral imperative for Paul, a counterpart to the positive imperative to “build one another up”; compare the expression “giving offense” as opposed to “pleasing” in 1 Cor 10:32–33.
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