1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 8:1

Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Now, concerning things offered to idols, I do well know the grounds of your practice: upon the invitation of your infidel friends, ye eat of their meat which hath been sacrificed to idols, and pretend your knowledge of the vanity and nullity of their false gods; so as you need not therefore forbear the meat, which hath been idly and foolishly offered unto them. Let this be yielded to you: we know that we all have knowledge; but what are we the better for that knowledge, which is hurtful to our brethren? yea, we are the worse; for we are puffed up with it, and, out of a proud conceit, neglect our weaker brethren: it were well, if our knowledge were less, so that our charity were more: knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

1 Corinthians 8:3

But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

But, if any man love God, and his brethren in and for God, the same man is approved and dearly respected of God: it is not therefore our knowledge, but our love, for which we are accepted of him.

1 Corinthians 8:4

As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

We know, that an Idol is no such thing as (it is made for) a God: it is nothing, but a false image of that, which is not: if it be materially wood or stone, it is formally nothing in the world: and that there is no other God, but one; the rest are lewd fictions.

1 Corinthians 8:6

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

But to us, there is but one God; even that Eternal Father, of whom and from whom all things, and we amongst the rest, receive their being; and one Lord Jesus Christ, in and by whom all both being and blessings, are derived from God the Father unto us and all creatures.

1 Corinthians 8:7

Howbeit, there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

But, howsoever ye have knowledge to understand this, yet every man hath not: for some ignorant Christians, out of a mis-led conscience, thinking hereupon, that there is some virtue conceived to be in the Idol, eat the meat sacrificed thereunto, with some kind of good respect to the Idol; and so their conscience being weak, is, by your example defiled, and drawn into sin.

1 Corinthians 8:11

And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

And so, out of the confidence of thy knowledge, this practice of thine shall be an occasion of the perishing of thy weak brother; whose soul should be dear unto thee, as that for which Christ thy Saviour died.

1 Corinthians 8:13

Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Wherefore, rather than I would, by occasion of my meat, draw my brother into an offence, I would abstain, not only from meat thus sacrificed, but from eating any flesh whatsoever, so long as I should live.