Chapter 8

1  But concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know, (for we all have knowledge: knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2  If any one think he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know it. 3  But if any one love God, he is known of him):

4  —concerning then the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God save one. 5  For and if indeed there are those called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many,) 6  yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7  But knowledge is not in all: but some, with conscience of the idol, until now eat as of a thing sacrificed to idols; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8  But meat does not commend us to God; neither if we should not eat do we come short; nor if we should eat have we an advantage. 9  But see lest anywise this your right to eat itself be a stumbling-block to the weak. 10  For if any one see thee, who hast knowledge, sitting at table in an idol-house, shall not his conscience, he being weak, be emboldened to eat the things sacrificed to the idol? 11  and the weak one, the brother for whose sake Christ died, will perish through thy knowledge. 12  Now, thus sinning against the brethren, and wounding their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13  Wherefore if meat be a fall-trap to my brother, I will eat no flesh for ever, that I may not be a fall-trap to my brother.