1 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.

Now about food offered to idols: of course we know that all of us possess knowledge knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow.

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

If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much, he does not yet perceive and recognize and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary.

3 B ut if he loves God, he is known by God also.

But if one loves God truly '> with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God '> recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].

4 W hat 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.

In this matter, then, of eating food offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing (has no real existence) and that there is no God but one.

5 M en have thought there are many such gods and lords in the sky and on the earth.

For although there may be so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many of them, both of gods and of lords and masters,

6 B ut 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.

Yet for us there is one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things and through and by Whom we.

7 N ot 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.

Nevertheless, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being all their lives until now accustomed to idols, still consider the food as that sacrificed to an god; and their weak consciences become defiled and injured if they eat.

8 F ood 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.

Now food will not cause our acceptance by God nor commend us to Him. Eating gives us no advantage; neither do we come short or become any worse if we do not eat.

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

Only be careful that this power of choice (this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is yours, does not become a hindrance (cause of stumbling) to the weak or overscrupulous.

10 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.

For suppose someone sees you, a man having knowledge reclining at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged and emboldened if he is weak and uncertain, and eat what is for the purpose of idol worship?

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

And so by your enlightenment (your knowledge of spiritual things), this weak man is ruined (is lost and perishes)—the brother for whom Christ (the Messiah) died!

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

And when you sin against your brethren in this way, wounding and damaging their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

13 S o 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.

Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling or of hindering, I will not eat flesh forever, lest I cause my brother to be tripped up and fall and to be offended.