1 Corinthians 8
English Standard Version
Food Offered to Idols
8 Now concerning[a] (A)food offered to idols: we know that (B)“all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” (C)puffs up, (D)but love builds up. 2 (E)If anyone imagines that he knows something, (F)he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, (G)he is known by God.[b]
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that (H)“an idol has no real existence,” and that (I)“there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be (J)so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet (K)for us there is one God, the Father, (L)from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and (M)one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and (N)through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, (O)through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and (P)their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 (Q)Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care (R)that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block (S)to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating[c] in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged,[d] if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is (T)destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers[e] and (U)wounding their conscience when it is weak, (V)you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, (W)if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
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- 1 Corinthians 8:1 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1
- 1 Corinthians 8:3 Greek him
- 1 Corinthians 8:10 Greek reclining at table
- 1 Corinthians 8:10 Or fortified; Greek built up
- 1 Corinthians 8:12 Or brothers and sisters
1 Corinthians 9:19-26
English Standard Version
19 For (A)though I am free from all, (B)I have made myself a servant to all, that I might (C)win more of them. 20 (D)To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To (E)those outside the law I became (F)as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but (G)under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 (H)To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. (I)I have become all things to all people, that (J)by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, (K)that I may share with them in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives (L)the prize? So (M)run that you may obtain it. 25 Every (N)athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we (O)an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I (P)do not box as one (Q)beating the air.
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1 Corinthians 10:14-33
English Standard Version
14 Therefore, my beloved, (A)flee from idolatry. 15 I speak (B)as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 (C)The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? (D)The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are (E)one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider (F)the people of Israel:[a] (G)are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that (H)an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice (I)they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 (J)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (K)the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and (L)the table of demons. 22 (M)Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? (N)Are we stronger than he?
Do All to the Glory of God
23 (O)“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 (P)Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 (Q)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For (R)“the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, (S)eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean (T)your conscience, but his. For (U)why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that (V)for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or (W)whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (X)Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to (Y)the church of God, 33 just as (Z)I try to please everyone in everything I do, (AA)not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
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- 1 Corinthians 10:18 Greek Consider Israel according to the flesh
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.