1 A nd concerning the things sacrificed to idols, we have known that we all have knowledge: knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up;

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 one doth think to know anything, he hath not yet known anything according as it behoveth to know;

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

3 a nd if any one doth love God, this one hath been known by Him.

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

4 C oncerning the eating then of the things sacrificed to idols, we have known that an idol nothing in the world, and that there is no other God except 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 even if there are those called gods, whether in heaven, whether upon earth -- as there are gods many and lords many --

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

6 y et to us one God, the Father, of whom the all things, and we to Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom the all things, and we through 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 b ut not in all men the knowledge, and certain with conscience of the idol, till now, as a thing sacrificed to an idol do eat, 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 victuals do not commend us to God, for neither if we may eat are we in advance; nor if we may not eat, are we behind;

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 see, lest this privilege of yours may become a stumbling-block to the infirm,

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

10 f or if any one may see thee that hast knowledge in an idol's temple reclining at meat -- shall not his conscience -- he being infirm -- be emboldened to eat the things sacrificed 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 the brother who is infirm shall perish by thy knowledge, because of 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 a nd thus sinning in regard to the brethren, and smiting their weak conscience -- in regard to Christ ye sin;

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

13 w herefore, if victuals cause my brother to stumble, I may eat no flesh -- to the age -- that my brother I may not cause to stumble.

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.