祭偶像的食物

關於獻給偶像的祭物,我們知道大家都有這方面的知識,但知識會使人自高,唯有愛心才能造就人。 若有人自以為知道些什麼,其實他需要知道的,他還不知道。 但如果有人愛上帝,這人是上帝所認識的。

論到吃獻給偶像的祭物,我們知道世上的偶像算不得什麼,只有一位上帝,此外別無他神。 雖然天上地上有許多被稱為神的,好像有許多神、許多主, 但我們只有一位神,就是父上帝,祂是萬物的源頭,是我們的歸宿。我們也只有一位主,就是耶穌基督,萬物都是藉著祂存在,我們也是藉著祂存在。

不過,並不是所有的人都有這種知識。有些人因為以前拜慣了偶像,現在吃到某些食物就覺得是祭過偶像的,因而良心不安,覺得自己被玷污了。 其實食物並不能改變上帝對我們的看法,我們不吃也沒有損失,吃了也不會更好。

但你們要小心,不要讓你們的自由絆倒那些信心軟弱的人。 10 如果有人看見你這明白以上道理的人竟然坐在偶像的廟中吃喝,他雖然良心不安,豈不還是會放膽吃獻給偶像的祭物嗎? 11 這樣,你的知識反而令那軟弱的人,就是基督捨命救回的弟兄沉淪。 12 你們這樣得罪弟兄,傷了他脆弱的良心,就是得罪基督。 13 所以,如果我吃某些食物會令我的弟兄在信仰上跌倒,我就情願永遠不吃[a],免得令他們跌倒。

Footnotes

  1. 8·13 不吃」希臘文是「不吃肉」。

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

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

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

As 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.

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

But 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.

Howbeit 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.

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

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

10 For 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;

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

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

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

Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

Now about food sacrificed to idols:(A) We know that “We all possess knowledge.”(B) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something(C) do not yet know as they ought to know.(D) But whoever loves God is known by God.[a](E)

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols:(F) We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world”(G) and that “There is no God but one.”(H) For even if there are so-called gods,(I) whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God,(J) the Father,(K) from whom all things came(L) and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord,(M) Jesus Christ, through whom all things came(N) and through whom we live.

But not everyone possesses this knowledge.(O) Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak,(P) it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God;(Q) we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block(R) to the weak.(S) 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?(T) 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed(U) by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them(V) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.(W) 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.(X)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 8:3 An early manuscript and another ancient witness think they have knowledge do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves truly knows.

Food Sacrificed to Idols

With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that “we all have knowledge.”[a] Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If someone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know to the degree that he needs to know. But if someone loves God, he[b] is known by God.[c]

With regard then to eating food sacrificed to idols, we know that “an idol in this world is nothing,” and that “there is no God but one.”[d] If after all there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we live, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we live.[e]

But this knowledge is not shared by all. And some, by being accustomed to idols in former times, eat this food as an idol sacrifice, and their conscience, because it is weak, is defiled. Now food will not bring us close to God. We are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do. But be careful that this liberty of yours does not become a hindrance to the weak. 10 For if someone weak sees you who possess knowledge dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience be “strengthened”[f] to eat food offered to idols? 11 So by your knowledge the weak brother or sister,[g] for whom Christ died, is destroyed.[h] 12 If you sin against your brothers or sisters[i] in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 For this reason, if food causes my brother or sister to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I may not cause one of them[j] to sin.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 8:1 snWe all have knowledge.” Here and in v. 4 Paul cites certain slogans the Corinthians apparently used to justify their behavior (cf. 6:12-13; 7:1; 10:23). Paul agrees with the slogans in part, but corrects them to show how the Corinthians have misused these ideas.
  2. 1 Corinthians 8:3 tn Grk “this one.”
  3. 1 Corinthians 8:3 tn Grk “him”; in the translation the most likely referent (God) has been specified for clarity.
  4. 1 Corinthians 8:4 snAn idol in this world is nothing” and “There is no God but one.” Here and in v. 1 Paul cites certain slogans the Corinthians apparently used to justify their behavior (cf. 6:12-13; 7:1; 10:23). Paul agrees with the slogans in part, but corrects them to show how the Corinthians have misused these ideas.
  5. 1 Corinthians 8:6 tn Grk “through whom [are] all things and we [are] through him.”
  6. 1 Corinthians 8:10 tn Or “built up”; This is the same word used in v. 1b. It is used ironically here: The weak person is “built up” to commit what he regards as sin.
  7. 1 Corinthians 8:11 tn Grk “the one who is weak…the brother for whom Christ died,” but see note on the word “Christian” in 5:11.
  8. 1 Corinthians 8:11 tn This may be an indirect middle, “destroys himself.”
  9. 1 Corinthians 8:12 tn See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:10.
  10. 1 Corinthians 8:13 tn Grk “my brother.” Both “my brother or sister” earlier in the verse and “one of them” here translate the same Greek phrase. Since the same expression occurs in the previous line, a pronoun phrase is substituted here to suit English style, which is less tolerant of such repetition.