1 Corinthians 8
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Food Offered to Idols
8 Now concerning food offered to idols:[a] we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” “Knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if one loves God, one is known by him.
4 Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being hitherto accustomed to idols, eat food as really offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 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 Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.
Footnotes
- 8.1-13 Animals sacrificed to pagan gods were often sold as meat in the market. Could Christians buy such meat? Paul allows it so long as scandal is avoided.
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.
Footnotes
- 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 Corintios 8
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Cuidado con la libertad
8 En cuanto a lo sacrificado a los ídolos(A), sabemos que todos tenemos conocimiento(B). El conocimiento envanece[a](C), pero el amor edifica(D). 2 Si alguien cree que sabe algo(E), no ha aprendido todavía como debe saber(F); 3 pero si alguien ama a Dios, ese es conocido por Él(G).
4 Por tanto, en cuanto a comer de lo sacrificado a los ídolos(H), sabemos que un ídolo no es nada[b](I) en el mundo, y que no hay sino un solo Dios(J). 5 Porque aunque haya algunos llamados dioses(K), ya sea en el cielo o en la tierra, como por cierto hay muchos dioses y muchos señores, 6 pero para nosotros hay un solo Dios(L), el Padre(M), de quien proceden[c] todas las cosas(N) y nosotros somos para Él; y un solo Señor, Jesucristo(O), por quien son todas las cosas(P) y por medio de Él existimos nosotros.
7 Sin embargo, no todos tienen este conocimiento(Q). Porque algunos, estando acostumbrados al ídolo hasta ahora, comen alimento como si este fuera sacrificado a un ídolo, y su conciencia, siendo débil, se mancha(R). 8 Pero la comida no nos recomendará a[d] Dios, pues ni somos menos[e] si no comemos, ni somos más[f] si comemos(S). 9 Pero tengan cuidado, no sea que esta libertad[g] de ustedes de alguna manera se convierta en piedra de tropiezo(T) para el débil(U). 10 Porque si alguien te ve a ti, que tienes conocimiento(V), sentado[h] a la mesa en un templo de ídolos, ¿no será estimulada su conciencia, si él es débil, a comer lo sacrificado a los ídolos(W)?
11 Por tu conocimiento(X) se perderá el que es débil, el hermano por quien Cristo murió(Y). 12 Y así, al pecar contra los hermanos y herir su conciencia(Z) cuando esta es débil, pecan contra Cristo(AA). 13 Por tanto, si la comida hace que mi hermano caiga en pecado, no comeré carne jamás, para no hacer pecar a mi hermano(AB).
1 Corinthians 8
New International Version
Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols
8 Now about food sacrificed to idols:(A) We know that “We all possess knowledge.”(B) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something(C) do not yet know as they ought to know.(D) 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.[a](E)
4 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) 5 For even if there are so-called gods,(I) whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 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.
7 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. 8 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.
9 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 Corinthians 8:3 An early manuscript and another ancient witness think they have knowledge do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves truly knows.
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