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)

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

Am I not free?(Y) Am I not an apostle?(Z) Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?(AA) Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?(AB) Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal(AC) of my apostleship in the Lord.

This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don’t we have the right to food and drink?(AD) Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife(AE) along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers(AF) and Cephas[b]?(AG) Or is it only I and Barnabas(AH) who lack the right to not work for a living?

Who serves as a soldier(AI) at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard(AJ) and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”[c](AK) Is it about oxen that God is concerned?(AL) 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us,(AM) because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.(AN) 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?(AO) 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right.(AP) On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder(AQ) the gospel of Christ.

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?(AR) 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.(AS)

15 But I have not used any of these rights.(AT) And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.(AU) 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.(AV) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;(AW) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.(AX) 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,(AY) and so not make full use of my rights(AZ) as a preacher of the gospel.

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

19 Though I am free(BA) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,(BB) to win as many as possible.(BC) 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.(BD) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),(BE) so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(BF) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),(BG) so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.(BH) I have become all things to all people(BI) so that by all possible means I might save some.(BJ) 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Need for Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?(BK) Run(BL) in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown(BM) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.(BN) 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;(BO) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.(BP) 27 No, I strike a blow to my body(BQ) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(BR)

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant(BS) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud(BT) and that they all passed through the sea.(BU) They were all baptized into(BV) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food(BW) and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock(BX) that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.(BY)

Now these things occurred as examples(BZ) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters,(CA) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[d](CB) We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.(CC) We should not test Christ,[e](CD) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.(CE) 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did(CF)—and were killed(CG) by the destroying angel.(CH)

11 These things happened to them as examples(CI) and were written down as warnings for us,(CJ) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.(CK) 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,(CL) be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[f] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;(CM) he will not let you be tempted[g] beyond what you can bear.(CN) But when you are tempted,[h] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

14 Therefore, my dear friends,(CO) flee from idolatry.(CP) 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break(CQ) a participation in the body of Christ?(CR) 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,(CS) for we all share the one loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices(CT) participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(CU) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(CV) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.(CW) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(CX) Are we stronger than he?(CY)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(CZ) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(DA)

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(DB) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[i](DC)

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(DD) without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.(DE) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(DF) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(DG)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(DH) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(DI) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(DJ) 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(DK) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(DL) so that they may be saved.(DM)

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.
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:5 That is, Peter
  3. 1 Corinthians 9:9 Deut. 25:4
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  9. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1

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.

Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

Have we not power to eat and to drink?

Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

10 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.