⁹ But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.

¹³ For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

²⁰ Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. ²¹ It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.^[a]

¹⁶ For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.

¹⁹ They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

The Danger of Criticism

14 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. ² For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.

²⁴ Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

³² Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles^[a] or the church of God.

²² When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

¹² And when you sin against other believers^[a] by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.