1The preference of charity to knowledge. 4An idol is nothing in the esteem of those who have right notions of one God, and of one Lord Jesus Christ. 7But it is sin in those, who by an indiscreet use of their knowledge, in eating meats offered to idols, tempt weaker consciences to offend.
1NOW as atouching things offered unto idols, we know that bwe all have knowledge. cKnowledge puffeth up, dbut *charity edifieth.
*charity-love.
a Ac. 15.10,20,29. Re. 2.14. v.10. ch. 10.19-21,25,27. b v.2,4,7,10. ch. 10.15. Ro. 14.14,22,3,10. c Is. 47.10. d ch. 13.
2eAnd if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
e ch. 3.18; 13.8,9,12. Ro. 11.25. Ga. 6.3. 1Ti. 1.7; 6.3,4.
3But if any man love God, the same is fknown of him.
f Ex. 33.12. Nu. 16.5. Na. 1.7. Mat. 7.23. Ro. 8.29; 11.2. Jn. 10.14. Ga. 4.9. 2Ti. 2.19.
4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that gan idol is nothing in the world, and that hthere is none other God but one.
g Is. 41.24; 44.8,9. Je. 2.5,11; 10.14,18; 51.17,18. Ps. 115.4-8. h De. 4.39; 6.4; 32.39. Is. 37.16; 44.6,8,24. Mar. 12.29. Ep. 4.6. 1Ti. 2.5; 1.17. ch. 10.19. Ac. 14.15.
5For though there be that iare called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
i Jn. 10.34,35. De. 3.24; 10.17. Je. 2.11,28; 11.13. Da. 11.8; 5.4.
6But to us there is but jone God, the Father, kof whom are all things, and we 1in him; and lone Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
1Or, for him.
j De. 6.4; 32.39. Mal. 2.10. Ep. 4.6. Ac. 17.28. Ro. 11.36. Ep. 3.15. Jn. 17.3. k ch. 11.12. l Mat. 11.27; 28.18. Ro. 14.9. Jn. 13.13. ch. 12.3. Ep. 4.5. Phi. 2.11. Ac. 2.36. Ep. 1.4-6. 1Pe. 1.21. Jn. 1.3. Col. 1.16,17. He. 1.2,3.
7mHowbeit 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.
m ch. 5.11; 10.25,27-29. Ro. 14.14,23.
8nBut *meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, 2are we the better; neither, if we eat not, 3are we the worse.
*meat-food of any kind.
2Or, have we the more.
3Or, have we the less.
n Ro. 14.17. He. 13.9. ch. 6.13. Col. 2.20-23.
9But otake heed lest by any means this 4liberty of yours become a pstumblingblock to them that are weak.
4Or, power.
o Ro. 14.13,20. Ga. 5.13. v.10. Mat. 18.6,17. ch. 10.32. p Ro. 14.1.
10For if any man see thee which hast qknowledge sit at *meat rin the idol's temple, sshall not the conscience of him which is weak be 5emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
*meat-food of any kind.
5Gr. edified.
q v.1. r Am. 2.8. s v.11. ch. 10.29. Ro. 14.15,20. 2Pe. 2.1.
11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12tBut when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
t Ro. 14.15. Ac. 9.4. Mat. 25.40,45.
13Wherefore, uif *meat *make my brother to offend, vI will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
*meat-food of any kind.
*make to offend-cause to sin or stumble.
u Ro. 14.21. ch. 6.12; 9.12,22; 10.23. 2Co. 11.29. v Ro. 14.13.