4About eating food sacrificed to idols, then, we know that “an idol is nothing in the world,”8:4 Or an idol has no real existence and that “there is no God but one.”8:4 Dt 6:4

5For even if there are so-called gods,8:5 2Th 2:4 whether in heaven or on earth — as there are many “gods” and many “lords” — 

6yet for us there is one God, the Father.8:6 Mt 5:16; 11:27; Lk 11:13; Jn 8:42; Eph 5:20 All things are from him,8:6 Ps 104:24; Col 1:16; Rv 3:14 and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.8:6 Jn 1:3

7However, not everyone has this knowledge. Some have been so used to idolatry up until now that when they eat food sacrificed to an idol, their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

8Food will not bring us close to God.8:8 Or bring us before (the judgment seat of) God We are not worse off if we don’t eat, and we are not better if we do eat.8:8 Rm 14:17

9But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block8:9 Ex 23:33; Rm 14:20 to the weak.

10For if someone sees you, the one who has knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, won’t his weak conscience be encouraged8:10 Or built up to eat food offered to idols?

11So the weak person, the brother or sister for whom Christ died,8:11 Jn 11:51; Rm 5:6,8; 8:34; 14:9,15; 1Co 15:3; Gl 2:21; Eph 5:2; 1Th 5:10 is ruined8:11 Or destroyed8:11 Heb 6:8 by your knowledge.8:11 Mt 25:45

12Now when you sin like this against brothers and sisters and wound their weak conscience, you are sinning against Christ.

13Therefore, if food causes my brother or sister to fall, I will never again eat meat,8:13 Dt 12:15 so that I won’t cause my brother or sister to fall.