Two Principles Governing the Use of Christian Liberty – 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
8 Now concerning meat offered to idols. We know that we all possess knowledge. Let us be aware that knowledge “puffs up,” but love builds up. (2) If anyone thinks that he knows anything exhaustively, he does not yet know as he ought to know. (3) But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
(4) Now concerning the eating of food that has been offered to idols: We know that a worldly idol is nothing, and that there is no God except one. (5) Even if there are so-called gods—whether in heaven or on earth—just as indeed there are many such gods and many such lords; (6) nevertheless, for us who have knowledge there is one God—the Father—from whom all things come and for whom we live, and one Lord—Jesus Christ—by whom all things exist and by whom we live.
(7) But not everyone possesses this knowledge. When some people eat meat they still view it as an offering made to an idol, since they have been accustomed to idols until now, and because their conscience is weak, it is defiled. (8) But food does not commend us to God: we are not worse if we do not eat, and we are not better if we do eat. (9) Be careful that the use of your liberty does not in any way become a stumbling block to the weak. (10) This is what I mean: If someone sees you—one who possesses knowledge—sitting in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, being weak, become emboldened to eat what has been offered to idols? (11) Consequently, by your knowledge the one who is weak perishes—the brother for whom Christ died. (12) By sinning against your brothers in this way and injuring their weak conscience, you are sinning against Christ. (13) Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never again eat meat, so that I will not cause my brother to sin.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
