1 Corinthians 8:9-13

Food Offered to Idols

9 But take care d that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block e to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating 1 in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, 2 if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is f destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers 3 and g wounding their conscience when it is weak, h you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, i if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

  1. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:23
    All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.
    Romans 14:21
    It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
    Galatians 5:13
    For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
  2. Cross References
    Romans 14:1 - 2
    As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 14:15
    For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.
    Romans 14:20
    Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.
  4. Cross References
    Zechariah 2:8
    For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:
    Matthew 18:6
    But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 25:45
    Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.
  6. Cross References
    Romans 14:13
    Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
    Romans 14:21
    It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
    2 Corinthians 6:3
    We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.
    2 Corinthians 11:29
    Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.