Study Desk

Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

Now about food sacrificed to idols:^(a) We know that "We all possess knowledge."^(b) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.

Those who think they know something^(c) do not yet know as they ought to know.^(d)

But whoever loves God is known by God.^[a](e)

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols:^(f) We know that "An idol is nothing at all in the world"^(g) and that "There is no God but one."^(h)

For even if there are so-called gods,⁽ⁱ⁾ whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"),

yet for us there is but one God,^(j) the Father,^(k) from whom all things came^(l) and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord,^(m) Jesus Christ, through whom all things came⁽ⁿ⁾ and through whom we live.

But not everyone possesses this knowledge.^(o) Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak,^(p) it is defiled.

But food does not bring us near to God;^(q) we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block^(r) to the weak.^(s)

For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol's temple, won't that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?^(t)

So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed^(u) by your knowledge.

When you sin against them^(v) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.^(w)

Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.^(x)