1 Corinthians · Chapter 8
1 Corinthians 8
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
Food Sacrificed to Idols
(Ezekiel 14:1–11; Romans 14:13–23)
1Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
2The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.
3But the one who loves God is known by God.
4So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one.
5For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords),
6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.
7But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
8But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
9Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
10For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols?
11So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
12By sinning against your brothers in this way and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to stumble.
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Numbers 25:2who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods.
Isaiah 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Isaiah 47:10You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’
Proverbs 26:12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 30:2Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.
Proverbs 30:3I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.
Proverbs 30:4Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son— surely you know!
Exodus 33:12Then Moses said to the LORD, “Look, You have been telling me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have found favor in My sight.’
Exodus 33:17So the LORD said to Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.”
Psalms 1:6For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalms 17:3You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.
Psalms 139:1O LORD, You have searched me and known me.