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Food Offered to Idols

Now as concerning food offered to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge produces arrogance, but love edifies. So if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

So concerning the eating of foods that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For there are those who are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as there are many gods and many lords. But for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist. And there is one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

However, not everyone has this knowledge. Some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat the food as a thing offered to an idol. So their weak conscience is defiled. But food does not commend us to God. Neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

But take heed, lest by any means this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you, who have knowledge, eating in the idol’s temple, shall the conscience of him who is weak not be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols, 11 and by your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 When you thus sin against the brothers, wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to stumble.

Food Offered to Idols

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. (E)If anyone imagines that he knows something, (F)he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, (G)he is known by God.[b]

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.” For although there may be (J)so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 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.

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. (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. 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. 1 Corinthians 8:1 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1
  2. 1 Corinthians 8:3 Greek him
  3. 1 Corinthians 8:10 Greek reclining at table
  4. 1 Corinthians 8:10 Or fortified; Greek built up
  5. 1 Corinthians 8:12 Or brothers and sisters

Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

Now about food sacrificed to idols:(A) We know that “We all possess knowledge.”(B) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something(C) do not yet know as they ought to know.(D) But whoever loves God is known by God.[a](E)

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) For even if there are so-called gods,(I) whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 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.

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. 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.

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. 1 Corinthians 8:3 An early manuscript and another ancient witness think they have knowledge do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves truly knows.

Lo sacrificado a los ídolos

En cuanto a lo sacrificado a los ídolos, es cierto que todos tenemos conocimiento. El conocimiento envanece, 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 es absolutamente nada, y que hay un solo Dios. Pues, aunque haya los así llamados dioses, ya sea 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, es decir, 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 mejores por comer ni peores por no comer.

Sin embargo, tened 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, pecáis vosotros contra Cristo. 13 Por lo tanto, si mi comida ocasiona la caída de mi hermano, no comeré carne jamás, para no hacerle caer en pecado.