1 Corinthians 8 English Standard Version (ESV)

Food Offered to Idols

¹ Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. ² If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.³ But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

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

⁷ However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ⁸ Food 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 that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. ¹⁰ For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? ¹¹ And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.¹² Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.¹³ Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

REFLECTION

• Read the whole chapter a couple of times.
• In Corinth most fresh meat was purchased at temple markets, which sold meat offered to the deity they honoured. Some Christians in Corinth argued that to buy meat at such market was participating in idolatry. Others thought this view foolish. After all, the gods represented by the idols weren’t real. Paul affirmed the right of the Corinthians to eat such meat, but urged those who feel free to do so to consider surrendering this “right” in any situation where a weaker brother’s conscience might be harmed.
• Is there something in your life that when your exercise your freedom, it becomes a stumbling block for others? Drinking? Clothing? Music? Lifestyle? Political viewpoints? Legalism?
• Prayer: “Lord, is there someone stumbled because of my freedom?” As you pause to listen, ask the Holy Spirit to bring the person to mind and pray for wisdom and grace to face it.