For although there may be (A)so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet (B)for us there is one God, the Father, (C)from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and (D)one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and (E)through whom we exist.

However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, (F)through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and (G)their conscience, being weak, is defiled. (H)Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care (I)that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block (J)to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating[a] in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged,[b] if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is (K)destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers[c] and (L)wounding their conscience when it is weak, (M)you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, (N)if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 8:10 Greek reclining at table
  2. 1 Corinthians 8:10 Or fortified; Greek built up
  3. 1 Corinthians 8:12 Or brothers and sisters

For even if there are so-called gods,(A) whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God,(B) the Father,(C) from whom all things came(D) and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord,(E) Jesus Christ, through whom all things came(F) and through whom we live.

But not everyone possesses this knowledge.(G) 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,(H) it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God;(I) 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(J) to the weak.(K) 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?(L) 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed(M) by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them(N) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.(O) 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.(P)

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