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.

Lo sacrificado a los ídolos

En cuanto a lo sacrificado a los ídolos, es cierto que todos tenemos conocimiento. El conocimiento trae orgullo, mientras que el amor edifica. El que cree que sabe algo, todavía no sabe como debiera saber. Pero el que ama a Dios es conocido por él.

De modo que, en cuanto a comer lo sacrificado a los ídolos, sabemos que un ídolo no tiene ningún valor en este mundo y que hay un solo Dios. Aunque haya los así llamados dioses, en el cielo o en la tierra (y por cierto que hay muchos «dioses» y muchos «señores»), para nosotros no hay más que un solo Dios, el Padre, de quien todo procede y para el cual vivimos; y no hay más que un solo Señor, Jesucristo, por quien todo existe y por medio del cual vivimos.

Pero no todos tienen conocimiento de esto. Algunos siguen tan acostumbrados a los ídolos que, cuando comen carne a sabiendas de que ha sido sacrificada a un ídolo, su conciencia se contamina por ser débil. Pero lo que comemos no nos acerca a Dios; no somos peores por no comer ni mejores por comer.

Sin embargo, tengan cuidado de que su libertad no se convierta en motivo de tropiezo para los débiles. 10 Porque, si alguien de conciencia débil te ve a ti, que tienes este conocimiento, comer en el templo de un ídolo, ¿no se sentirá animado a comer lo que ha sido sacrificado a los ídolos? 11 Entonces ese hermano débil, por quien Cristo murió, se perderá a causa de tu conocimiento. 12 Al pecar así contra los hermanos, hiriendo su débil conciencia, pecan ustedes contra Cristo. 13 Por lo tanto, si la comida va a hacer pecar a mi hermano, no comeré carne jamás, para no hacerlo caer en pecado.

Take Care with Your Liberty

Now concerning (A)things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have (B)knowledge. Knowledge (C)puffs up, but love (D)builds up. (E)If anyone thinks that he has known anything, he has not yet (F)known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he (G)has been known by Him.

Therefore, concerning the eating of (H)things sacrificed to idols, we know that [a]an idol is (I)nothing in the world, and that (J)there is no God but one. For even if (K)there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us (L)there is one God, (M)the Father, (N)from whom are all things and we exist for Him, and (O)one Lord, Jesus Christ, (P)by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

However, not all men (Q)have this knowledge; but (R)some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. But (S)food will not [b]commend us to God. We neither lack if we do not eat, nor abound if we do eat. But (T)see to it that this [c]authority of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the (U)weak. 10 For if someone sees you, who have (V)knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be built up to eat (W)things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through (X)your knowledge he who is weak (Y)is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 (Z)And in that way, by sinning against the brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin (AA)against Christ. 13 Therefore, (AB)if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again—ever, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 8:4 An idol has no real existence
  2. 1 Corinthians 8:8 Or present
  3. 1 Corinthians 8:9 Or liberty