Study Desk

For although there are what are called gods, whether in heaven, or on earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many,)

7 But there is not [fn] knowledge in every man; for there are some, who, to the present time, in their conscience, eat [fn] as an offering to idols; and because their conscience is weak, it is defiled.

But food doth not bring us near to God; for if we eat, we do not abound; and if we eat not, we are not in want.

For if one should see thee in whom there is knowledge, reclining in the temple of idols, will not his conscience, seeing he is a weak person, be encouraged to eat what is sacrificed?

Wherefore, if food is a stumbling-block to my brother, I will for ever eat no flesh, lest I should be a stumbling-block to my brother.

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that thresheth. Hath God regard for oxen?

But manifest it is, for whose sake he said it. And indeed, for our sakes it was written: because the plougher ought to plough in hope, and the thresher in hope of fruit.

But I have used none of these things: and I write not, that it may be so done to me; for it would be better for me to actually die, than that any one should make void my glorying.

16 For while I preach, I have no [fn] glorying; because necessity is laid upon me, and woe to me, if I preach not.

For if I do this voluntarily, there is a reward for me: but if involuntarily, a stewardship is intrusted to me.

For every one who engageth in the contest, restraineth his desires in every thing. And they run, to obtain a crown that perisheth; but we, one that perisheth not.

I therefore so run, not as for something unknown; and I so struggle, not as struggling against air;

and they all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that attended them, and that rock was the Messiah.

But with a multitude of them, God was not pleased; for they fell in the wilderness.

Now these things were an example for us, that we should not hanker after evil things as they hankered.

All these things which befell them, were for an example to us; and they are written for our instruction, on whom the end of the world hath come.

As therefore that bread is one, so we are all one body; for we all take to ourselves from that one bread.

for the earth is the Lord's, in its fullness.

But if any one shall say to you, This pertaineth to a sacrifice; eat not, for the sake of him who told you, and for conscience's sake.

If I by grace partake, why am I reproached for that, for which I give thanks?