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

I want to write about food that has been given as a gift in worship to a false god. We all know something about it. Knowing about it makes one feel important. But love makes one strong.

2 A nd if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

The person who thinks he knows all the answers still has a lot to learn.

3 B ut if any man love God, the same is known of him.

But if he loves God, he is known by God also.

4 A s 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.

What about food that has been given as a gift to a false god in worship? Is it right? We know that a false god is not a god at all. There is only one God! There is no other.

5 F or though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

Men have thought there are many such gods and lords in the sky and on the earth.

6 B ut 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 we know there is only one God. He is the Father. All things are from Him. He made us for Himself. There is one Lord. He is Jesus Christ. He made all things. He keeps us alive.

7 H owbeit 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.

Not all men know this. They have given food as a gift in worship to a god as if the god were alive. Some men have done this all their lives. If they eat such food, their hearts tell them it is wrong.

8 B ut meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

Food will not bring us near to God. We are no worse if we do not eat it, or we are no better if we eat it.

9 B ut take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

Since you are free to do as you please, be careful that this does not hurt a weak Christian.

10 F or 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;

A Christian who is weak may see you eat food in a place where it has been given as a gift to false gods in worship. Since he sees you eat it, he will eat it also.

11 A nd through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

You may make the weak Christian fall into sin by what you have done. Remember, he is a Christian brother for whom Christ died.

12 B ut when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

When you sin against a weak Christian by making him do what is wrong, you sin against Christ.

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

So then, if eating meat makes my Christian brother trip and fall, I will never eat it again. I do not want to make my Christian brother sin.