Study Desk

Now concerning ^(C1)food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have ^(C2)knowledge. Knowledge ^(F1)(C3)makes one conceited, but love ^(C4)edifies people.

^(C1)If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he has not yet ^(C2)known as he ought to know;

but if anyone loves God, he ^(C1)is known by Him.

Therefore, concerning the eating of ^(C1)food sacrificed to idols, we know that an ^(C2)idol is ^(F1)nothing at all in the world, and that ^(C3)there is no God but one.

For even if ^(C1)there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,

yet for us ^(C1)there is only one God, ^(C2)the Father, ^(C3)from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and ^(C4)one Lord, Jesus Christ, ^(C5)by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

However, not all people ^(C1)have this knowledge; but ^(C2)some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

Now ^(C1)food will not bring us ^(F1)close to God; we are neither ^(F2)the worse if we do not eat, nor ^(F3)the better if we do eat.

But ^(C1)take care that this ^(F1)freedom of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the ^(C2)weak.

For if someone sees you, the one who has ^(C1)knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will his conscience, if he is weak, not be strengthened to eat ^(C2)things sacrificed to idols?

For through ^(C1)your knowledge the one who is weak ^(C2)is ruined, the brother or sister for whose sake Christ died.

^(C1)And so, by sinning against the brothers and sisters and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin ^(C2)against Christ.

Therefore, ^(C1)if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to sin.