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.

Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

But food does not bring us near to God;(A) 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(B) to the weak.(C) 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?(D) 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed(E) by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them(F) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.(G) 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.(H)

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

Am I not free?(I) Am I not an apostle?(J) Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?(K) Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?(L) Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal(M) of my apostleship in the Lord.