1 Corinthians 8
Expanded Bible
About Food Offered to Idols
8 Now ·I will write about [or concerning your question about; L concerning; see 7:1; 12:1; 16:1] meat that is sacrificed to idols. We know that “we all have knowledge [C probably a slogan used by the Corinthians; see 6:12, 13; 7:1; 8:4; 10:23].” Knowledge puffs you up with pride, but love builds up. 2 If you think you know something, you do not yet know as ·well as you should [L you ought to know]. 3 But if any person loves God, that person is known by God.
4 So ·this is what I say about [L concerning] eating meat sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is really nothing in the world, and we know there is ·only one God [no God but one; Deut. 4:35, 39; C these may be other slogans the church was using to justify their behavior; see v. 1]. 5 Even though there are things called gods, in heaven or on earth (and there are many “gods” and “lords”), 6 for us there is only one God—the Father. All things came from him, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord—Jesus Christ. All things were made through him, and we also ·were made [exist; live] through him.
7 But not all people know this. Some people are still so used to idols that when they eat meat, they still think of it as being sacrificed to an idol. Because their conscience is weak, when they eat it, ·they feel guilty [L their conscience is defiled]. 8 But food will not ·bring us closer [make us acceptable] to God. Refusing to eat does not make us ·less pleasing to God [any worse; L lacking], and eating does not make us ·better in God’s sight [any better; L abounding].
9 But be careful that ·your freedom [this right/authority of yours] does not ·cause those who are weak in faith to fall into sin [L become a stumbling block to the weak]. 10 Suppose one of you who has knowledge eats in an idol’s temple. Someone who ·is weak in faith [or has a weak conscience] might see you eating there and be ·encouraged [enboldened] to eat meat sacrificed to idols ·while thinking it is wrong to do so [or as a result of his weak conscience]. 11 This weak ·believer [L brother] for whom Christ died is ·ruined [destroyed] because of your “knowledge.” 12 When you sin against your brothers and sisters in Christ like this and ·cause them to do what they feel is wrong [L wound their weak conscience], you are also sinning against Christ. 13 So if the food I eat causes them to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again so that I will not cause any of them to ·sin [stumble; fall into sin].
1 Corinthians 8
King James Version
8 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 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.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 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.
7 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.
8 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.
9 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.
1 Corinthians 8
New King James Version
Be Sensitive to Conscience
8 Now (A)concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have (B)knowledge. (C)Knowledge [a]puffs up, but love [b]edifies. 2 And (D)if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that (E)an idol is nothing in the world, (F)and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are (G)so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet (H)for us there is one God, the Father, (I)of whom are all things, and we for Him; and (J)one Lord Jesus Christ, (K)through whom are all things, and (L)through whom we live.
7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, (M)with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is (N)defiled. 8 But (O)food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
9 But (P)beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become (Q)a [c]stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not (R)the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And (S)because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But (T)when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, (U)if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 8:1 makes arrogant
- 1 Corinthians 8:1 builds up
- 1 Corinthians 8:9 cause of offense
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
