1 Corinthians 8

Give a touch to a verse number or bar to see more. Go to Happy English Learning »

See side by side:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
« 1 Corinthians 71 Corinthians 9 »
BBE KJV

The danger of having a high conceit of knowledge

Now about things offered to images: we all seem to ourselves to have knowledge. Knowledge gives pride, but love gives true strength. Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
If anyone seems to himself to have knowledge, so far he has not the right sort of knowledge about anything; And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
But if anyone has love for God, God has knowledge of him. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
So, then, as to the question of taking food offered to images, we are certain that an image is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one. 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.
For though there are those who have the name of gods, in heaven or on earth, as there are a number of gods and a number of lords, For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
There is for us only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we are for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we have our being through him. 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.

The mischief of offending weak brethren

Still, all men have not that knowledge: but some, being used till now to the image, are conscious that they are taking food which has been offered to the image; and because they are not strong in the faith, their minds are troubled. 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 God's approval of us is not based on the food we take: if we do not take it we are no worse for it; and if we take it we are no better. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
But take care that this power of yours does not give cause for trouble to the feeble. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
For if a man sees you, who have knowledge, taking food as a guest in the house of an image, will it not give him, if he is feeble, the idea that he may take food offered to images? For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
And so, through your knowledge, you are the cause of destruction to your brother, for whom Christ underwent death. And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
And in this way, doing evil to the brothers, and causing trouble to those whose faith is feeble, you are sinning against Christ. But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
For this reason, if food is a cause of trouble to my brother, I will give up taking meat for ever, so that I may not be a cause of trouble to my brother. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
« 1 Corinthians 71 Corinthians 9 »