1 Corinthians 8:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

NIV: Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

NASB: Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to sin.

CSB: Therefore, if food causes my brother or sister to fall, I will never again eat meat, so that I won't cause my brother or sister to fall.

NLT: So 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.

KJV: Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

NKJV: Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Paul concludes his first argument about why the Corinthians should not eat food offered to idols. Though it's not immoral, in and of itself, it might cause weak-conscience believers to sin against their own consciences by eating idol food when they mistakenly think it is wrong. When that happens, those with strong consciences will end up being guilty of sinning against both their brothers and against Christ, who died for them. (1 Corinthians 8:1–12).

Now Paul applies this idea to his own life, in a personal way. If there is any chance the food he eats will cause a brother in Christ to stumble into sin, he simply will not do it. In fact, Paul adds that he would forgo meat of any kind to avoid risking causing another person to sin. He sees loving his brothers in this way as that important.

Context makes it clear Paul is not telling the Corinthians to become vegetarians. Nor is he declaring himself to be a non-meat-eater. He will be clear in chapter 10 about what restrictions he is setting on eating meat that may or may not have been offered to an idol. Instead, he is claiming it would be worth eliminating meat from his diet, if it would avoid causing other Christians to sin. Since those with undue restrictions are "weak," part of the responsibility of the "strong" believer is to educate and train the weaker believer. Over time, they can help them overcome false guilt; but in the immediate sense, they need to be careful not to become a spiritual obstacle.

First Corinthians 8:1–13 begins Paul's longer response to the question of attending functions in idol temples or eating food offered to idols. This appears to blend Paul's own statements with references to the Corinthians' own remarks. It seems the Corinthians had previously written to Paul saying they are not ''worshiping'' the idols. They know idols don't really exist and that only God is real. Paul replies that the problem here is not lack of knowledge but lack of love. Some brothers and sisters in Christ cannot eat idol food with clear consciences. Those who are stronger risk leading those who are weaker into sin and, in that way, sinning themselves.

Paul responds to Corinthian objections about restrictions on eating in idol temples, or eating food offered to idols. Those were activities deeply integrated into everyday Corinthian society. Paul agrees that idols are nothing and food is only food. The problem is that some Christians from idol-worshiping backgrounds cannot eat idol food with a clear conscience. To do so is sin, for them. If those with stronger consciences—those who understand the truth better—lead their weaker brothers into sin, they themselves will also be guilty of sinning against their brothers and against Christ.

First Corinthians 8 begins Paul's response to another issue raised by the Corinthians. Earlier passages dealt with sexuality; this section discusses idolatry and food. Paul agrees that idols don't truly exist and only God is real. The problem is that some of the less-developed Christians aren't convinced of that. For those believers, they violate their consciences by eating idol food. Even if it's misguided, violating one's conscience is a sin (Romans 14:23). If those with stronger consciences lead these weaker brothers and sisters into sin, they will be guilty of sin themselves. Paul continues to balance liberty with care for others over the next chapters.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.