Book of Common Prayer

He rebukes those who use their freedom to the detriment of others, and shows how people ought to behave towards the weak.

8 Now to speak of things dedicated to idols. We are sure that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes a man swell, but love edifies. ² If anyone thinks he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. ³ But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him.

⁴ To speak of meat dedicated to idols: we are sure that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. ⁵ And though there be what are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth (as there be gods many and lords many), ⁶ yet to us there is but one God, who is 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 But not everyone has knowledge. For some still suppose that an idol really is something, and eat a thing as offered to the idol, and so their consciences, still being weak, are defiled.

⁸ Meat does not make us acceptable to God. We are neither the better if we eat, nor the worse if we do not. ⁹ But take heed that your liberty does not cause the weak to fall. ¹⁰ For if someone sees you who have knowledge sitting at food in the idol’s temple, might not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things that are offered to the idol? ¹¹ And so through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died. ¹² When you sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak consciences, you sin against Christ. ¹³ Therefore if meat hurts my brother, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, because I do not want to hurt my brother.

¹³ Enter in at the strait gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in at it. ¹⁴ But strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there are who find it. ¹⁵ Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. ¹⁶ You may know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree brings forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree brings forth bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bring forth bad fruit, nor yet can a bad tree bring forth good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire. ²⁰ Therefore, by their fruits you may know them.

²¹ Not all who say to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.