4So, what about eating meat that has been offered to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God.

5There may be so-called gods both in heaven and on earth, and some people actually worship many gods and many lords.

6But for us,

7However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated.

8It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.

9But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.

10For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol?

11So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer8:11 Greek brother; also in 8:13. for whom Christ died will be destroyed.

12And when you sin against other believers8:12 Greek brothers. by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.

13So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.