THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
CORINTHIANS

1 Corinthians 8 ©

1 The apostle answers one more question concerning the eating of things offered to idols, and shows that it is not enough for this purpose that we know that the idol is nothing. 5 And that we have but one God and one Lord. 9 Seeing there are many weak ones, who by so doing would be offended. 10. And might take liberty to do thus likewise after their example, with an evil conscience, and so perish. 12 Declares that such sin against Christ. 13 Whereas no man ought to offend his brother even for the use of any meat.

1

NOW as touching things offered 1unto idols, we know that 2we all have knowledge. Knowledge 3puffeth up, but 4charity edifieth.

2

And if any man 5think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

3

But if any man love 6God, the same is 7known of him.

4

Asa concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know thatb an idol is 8nothing in the world, andc that there is none other God but one.

5

For though there be 9that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (10as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6

Butd to us there is but 11one God, the Father, 12ofe whom are all things, and we 13in him; andf14one Lord Jesus Christ, 15by whom are all things, and 16we by him.

7

Howbeit there 17is not in every man that knowledge: forg some 18with conscience of the idol 19unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak 20is defiled.

8

Buth21meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, 22are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9

Buti take heed lest by any means 23this liberty of yours become 24a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10

For if any man see thee 25which hast knowledge sit at meat 26in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be 27emboldened 28to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11

Andj29through thy knowledge shall the weak brother 30perish, 31for whom 32Christ died?

12

But when ye sin so against the brethren, and 33wound their weak conscience, ye sin 34against Christ.

13

Wherefore,k35if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.