1 Now concerning AActs 15:20; 1 Cor 8:4, 7, 10things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have BRom 15:14; 1 Cor 8:7, 10; 10:15knowledge. Knowledge 1Lit puffs upC1 Cor 4:6makes arrogant, but love DRom 14:19edifies. 2 A1 Cor 3:18If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet B1 Cor 13:8-12; 1 Tim 6:4known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he APs 1:6; Jer 1:5; Amos 3:2; Rom 8:29; 11:2; Gal 4:9is known by Him.

4 Therefore concerning the eating of AActs 15:20; 1 Cor 8:1, 7, 10things sacrificed to idols, we know that 1Lit nothing is an idol in the world; i.e. an idol has no real existencethere is BActs 14:15; 1 Cor 10:19; Gal 4:8no such thing as an idol in the world, and that CDeut 4:35, 39; 6:4; 1 Cor 8:6there is no God but one. 5 For even if A2 Thess 2:4there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us ADeut 4:35, 39; 6:4; Is 46:9; Jer 10:6, 7; 1 Cor 8:4there is but one God, BMal 2:10; Eph 4:6the Father, CRom 11:36from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and DJohn 13:13; 1 Cor 1:2; Eph 4:5; 1 Tim 2:5one Lord, Jesus Christ, EJohn 1:3; Col 1:16by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

7 However not all men A1 Cor 8:4ffhave this knowledge; but BRom 14:14, 22fsome, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But ARom 14:17food will not 1Or presentcommend us to God; we are neither 2Lit lackingthe worse if we do not eat, nor 3Lit aboundingthe better if we do eat. 9 But ARom 14:13, 21; 1 Cor 10:28; Gal 5:13take care that this 1Lit rightliberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the BRom 14:1; 1 Cor 8:10fweak. 10 For if someone sees you, who have A1 Cor 8:4ffknowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat BActs 15:20; 1 Cor 8:1, 4, 7things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through A1 Cor 8:4ffyour knowledge he who is weak BRom 14:15, 20is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 AMatt 18:6; Rom 14:20And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin BMatt 25:45against Christ. 13 Therefore, ARom 14:21; 1 Cor 10:32; 2 Cor 6:3; 11:29if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.