1Cor 8 | ESV | STEP | Now concerning food offered to idols : we know that all of us possess knowledge . This knowledge puffs up , but love builds up .

1 Corinthians 8

Food Offered to Idols

1 Now concerning ^{▼▼The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians’ letter; see 7:1} ^bfood offered to idols: we know that ^c“all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” ^dpuffs up, ^ebut love builds up. 2 ^fIf anyone imagines that he knows something, ^ghe does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, ^hhe is known by God. ^{▼▼Greek him}

4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that ^j“an idol has no real existence,” and that ^k“there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be ^lso-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet ^mfor us there is one God, the Father, ⁿfrom whom are all things and for whom we exist, and ^oone Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and ^pthrough whom we exist.

7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, ^qthrough former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and ^rtheir conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 ^sFood will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care ^tthat this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block ^uto the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating ^{▼▼Greek reclining at table} in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, ^{▼▼Or fortified; Greek built up} if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is ^xdestroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers ^{▼▼Or brothers and sisters} and ^zwounding their conscience when it is weak, ^aayou sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, ^abif food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.