8:1 Now concerning idol sacrifices, we all think we know something. But though knowledge can make us conceited, love builds us up.

8:2 If anyone thinks they know something, it only proves how little they really know;

8:3 but whoever loves God is known by him.

8:4 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.

8:5 So even if there are others called “gods”— whether in heaven or on earth where there are many “gods” and many masters—

8:6 to us there is only one God, the Father, from whom everything comes, and we belong to him. And there is one Master, Jesus the Anointed, through whom everything exists, including us.

8:7 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.

8:8 Now food does not give us good standing before God, whether we nibble or stuff ourselves.

8:9 But be careful not to let this right of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.

8:10 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?

8:11 You would be destroying the weak one with your knowledge— and this is your brother or sister for whom the Anointed died!

8:12 In doing this, you would be failing your sisters and brothers and beating on their fragile consciences, and ultimately failing against the Anointed.

8:13 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.