1. περὶ δὲ τῶν εἰδωλοθύτων, οἴδαμεν ὅτι πάντες γνῶσιν ἔχομεν. ἡ γνῶσις φυσιοῖ, ἡ δὲ ἀγάπη οἰκοδομεῖ.
2. εἴ τις δοκεῖ ἐγνωκέναι τι, οὔπω ἔγνω καθὼς δεῖ γνῶναι·
3. εἰ δέ τις ἀγαπᾷ τὸν θεόν, οὖτος ἔγνωσται ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ.
4. περὶ τῆς βρώσεως οὗν τῶν εἰδωλοθύτων οἴδαμεν ὅτι οὐδὲν εἴδωλον ἐν κόσμῳ, καὶ ὅτι οὐδεὶς θεὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς.
5. καὶ γὰρ εἴπερ εἰσὶν λεγόμενοι θεοὶ εἴτε ἐν οὐρανῶ εἴτε ἐπὶ γῆς, ὥσπερ εἰσὶν θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κύριοι πολλοί,
6. ἀλλ᾽ ἡμῖν εἷς θεὸς ὁ πατήρ, ἐξ οὖ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς αὐτόν, καὶ εἷς κύριος ἰησοῦς χριστός, δι᾽ οὖ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἡμεῖς δι᾽ αὐτοῦ.
7. ἀλλ᾽ οὐκ ἐν πᾶσιν ἡ γνῶσις· τινὲς δὲ τῇ συνηθείᾳ ἕως ἄρτι τοῦ εἰδώλου ὡς εἰδωλόθυτον ἐσθίουσιν, καὶ ἡ συνείδησις αὐτῶν ἀσθενὴς οὗσα μολύνεται.
8. βρῶμα δὲ ἡμᾶς οὐ παραστήσει τῶ θεῶ· οὔτε ἐὰν μὴ φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα, οὔτε ἐὰν φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν.
9. βλέπετε δὲ μή πως ἡ ἐξουσία ὑμῶν αὕτη πρόσκομμα γένηται τοῖς ἀσθενέσιν.
10. ἐὰν γάρ τις ἴδῃ σὲ τὸν ἔχοντα γνῶσιν ἐν εἰδωλείῳ κατακείμενον, οὐχὶ ἡ συνείδησις αὐτοῦ ἀσθενοῦς ὄντος οἰκοδομηθήσεται εἰς τὸ τὰ εἰδωλόθυτα ἐσθίειν;
11. ἀπόλλυται γὰρ ὁ ἀσθενῶν ἐν τῇ σῇ γνώσει, ὁ ἀδελφὸς δι᾽ ὃν χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν.
12. οὕτως δὲ ἁμαρτάνοντες εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ τύπτοντες αὐτῶν τὴν συνείδησιν ἀσθενοῦσαν εἰς χριστὸν ἁμαρτάνετε.
13. διόπερ εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, οὐ μὴ φάγω κρέα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἵνα μὴ τὸν ἀδελφόν μου σκανδαλίσω.
Footnotes:
8:1-3 - Paul explains that knowledge without love is harmful, as pride can destroy those who are weaker in faith. He teaches that love builds up, and that care must be taken with brothers and sisters in Christ who have a weaker conscience (see also 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 and Romans 14:13-21).
8:4-6 - Paul reaffirms that idols are nothing, for there is only one God. The practice of eating food sacrificed to idols is not sinful in itself, but it can be a scandal to others if not done with consideration (see also 1 Corinthians 10:19-22 and Deuteronomy 10:14).
8:7-13 - Paul warns that knowledge must be accompanied by sensitivity to the weak, for eating food sacrificed to idols can lead a brother to sin against his own conscience (see also Romans 14:15 and 1 Corinthians 10:29-30).
8:9-13 - Paul speaks of Christian freedom, but emphasizes that freedom should not become a stumbling block for those weak in faith. He calls Christians not to be an obstacle to the spiritual growth of others (see also Romans 14:21 and 1 Corinthians 10:32).
8:12-13 - The apostle Paul emphasizes the moral responsibility of the strong to prevent the weak from falling into sin. He places love for the conscience of others above personal freedom (see also 1 Corinthians 10:32-33 and Philippians 2:4).
Verses related to I Coríntios, 8:
1 Corinthians chapter 8 discusses Christian liberty and conscience. How to exercise freedom without hurting weaker brothers? Paul addresses the issue of food offered to idols, emphasizing that knowledge must be balanced with love. He warns against the selfish use of freedom, encouraging consideration for others. The text establishes principles for dealing with controversial issues. Ponder with us five biblical passages that relate to the key concepts in this challenging chapter.
Romans 14:13-14: "So let's stop judging each other. Instead, let us resolve not to place a stumbling block or obstacle in our brother's path. As someone who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is in itself unclean, except for those who consider it so; for him it is unclean." - This passage from Romans addresses the theme of Christian freedom and consideration for weaker brothers, echoing Paul's concerns in 1 Corinthians 8 about eating food offered to idols.
Acts 15:29: "You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the flesh of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. May everything go well for you." - This decision by the Jerusalem Council provides context for Paul's discussion in 1 Corinthians 8 about eating food offered to idols.
Colossians 2:16-17: "Therefore, do not allow anyone to judge you by what you eat or drink, or in relation to any religious festival or the celebration of new moons or the Sabbath days. These things are shadows of things to come; reality, however, is found in Christ." - Paul addresses similar issues in Colossians, emphasizing freedom in Christ, which is relevant to the discussion in 1 Corinthians 8.
1 Timothy 4:4-5: "For everything that God created is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." - This passage reinforces the idea that no food is unclean in itself, a principle underlying Paul's discussion in 1 Corinthians 8.
Mark 7:18-19: "He said to them, 'Can't you understand either? Don't you realize that nothing that enters a man from outside can make him 'impure'? Because it does not enter your heart, but your stomach, and is then eliminated.' (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods 'clean'.)" - Jesus declares all foods clean, providing a theological basis for Paul's discussion of the freedom to eat foods offered to idols in 1 Corinthians 8.
FAQ:
What does Paul say about eating food sacrificed to idols?
Paul teaches that while a Christian knows that idols are worthless, he must avoid offending the consciences of those who are weaker, who may see this as a sin. (1 Corinthians 8:4-13)
How should knowledge be balanced with love regarding food sacrificed to idols?
Paul teaches that knowledge without love can harm brothers and sisters who are weak in faith. Love must be the basis of all Christian actions, including the use of freedom. (1 Corinthians 8:1-3)
What does it mean to be "weak in faith" in 1 Corinthians 8?
Being "weak in faith" refers to those who, due to a lack of knowledge or understanding, may consider certain practices, such as eating meat sacrificed to idols, to be sinful. (1 Corinthians 8:7)
How should a Christian deal with freedom in Christ, according to Paul?
Paul teaches that freedom in Christ must be exercised responsibly, always considering the well-being of others and not causing weakness to our brothers and sisters. (1 Corinthians 8:9-13)
What does Paul say about idols and true freedom in Christ?
Paul states that idols have no real value, but nevertheless, Christian freedom must be exercised in a way that edifies others and does not cause scandal. (1 Corinthians 8:4-6)
