Questions about food sacrificed to idols
1 Now concerning idol sacrifices, we all think we know something. But though knowledge can make us conceited, love builds us up. 2 If anyone thinks they know something, it only proves how little they really know; 3 but whoever loves God is known by him.
4 So then, about eating food that has been sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God. 5 So even if there are others called “gods”— whether in heaven or on earth where there are many “gods” and many masters— 6 to us there is only one God, the Father, from whom everything comes, and we belong to him. And there is one Master, Jesus Christ, through whom everything exists, including us.
7 But not everyone knows this. Some who were accustomed to idols still can’t eat the food that had been offered to them without considering it a sacrifice, and so their fragile conscience is violated. 8 Now food does not give us good standing before God, whether we nibble or stuff ourselves.
9 But be careful not to let this right of yours become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 If you have this understanding and someone sees you dining in an idol’s shrine, won’t you be damaging their fragile conscience by being seen eating there? 11 You would be destroying the weak one with your knowledge— and this is your brother or sister for whom Christ died! 12 In doing this, you would be sinning against your sisters and brothers and beating on their fragile consciences, and ultimately sinning against Christ. 13 For that reason, if food becomes a trap for a brother or sister I’ll never eat meat again, just so I won’t lay a trap for them.