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1 Corinthians 8 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

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Food Offered to Idols

Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:1 - Now concerning[fn] food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:2 - If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:3 - But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.[fn]
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:4 - 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.”
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:5 - For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:6 - 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.
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:7 - 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.
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:8 - Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:9 - But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:10 - For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating[fn] in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged,[fn] if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:11 - And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:12 - Thus, sinning against your brothers[fn] and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
Unchecked Copy Box1Co 8:13 - Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
ESV Footnotes
The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians’ letter; see 7:1
Greek him
Greek reclining at table
Or fortified; Greek built up
Or brothers and sisters
ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

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