11

8 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom
knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. Christ died?
2 12
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak
yet as he ought to know. conscience, ye sin against Christ.
3 13
But if any man love God, the same is known of him. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while
4
the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in
sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and 9 Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our
that there is none other God but one. Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
5 2
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal
earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
6 3
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by 4
him. Have we not power to eat and to drink?
5
7
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other
conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 6
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
8
But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the 7
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a
better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock,
9
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
stumblingblock to them that are weak. 8
Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
10
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's 9
For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth
temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
eat those things which are offered to idols;
10 19
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto
written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that all, that I might gain the more.
thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 20
And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to
11
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them
reap your carnal things? that are under the law;
12 21
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law
Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are
should hinder the gospel of Christ. without law.
13 22
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made
things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
the altar? 23
And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof
14
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel with you.
should live of the gospel. 24
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth
15
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to 25
die, than that any man should make my glorying void. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
16
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity 26
is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that
beateth the air:
17
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a 27
dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any
means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
18
What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may
make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in 10 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that
the gospel. all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 15
And did all eat the same spiritual meat; I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
4 16
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the
spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of
5
the body of Christ?
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were
17
overthrown in the wilderness. For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all
6
partakers of that one bread.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust
18
after evil things, as they also lusted. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices
7
partakers of the altar?
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The
19
people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in
8
sacrifice to idols is any thing?
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell
20
in one day three and twenty thousand. But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to
9
devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were with devils.
destroyed of serpents.
21
10
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
destroyed of the destroyer.
22
11
Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are
23
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things
12
are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
24
13
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
25
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for
are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye conscience sake:
may be able to bear it. 26
For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
14
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
27
If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed
to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for
conscience sake.
28
But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat
not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is
the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
29
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty
judged of another man's conscience?
30
For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for
which I give thanks?
31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God.
32
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the
church of God:
33
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but
the profit of many, that they may be saved.