Chapter VIII.
(Vers. 1.)
(Verse 1.) But concerning those things which are sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Now concerning knowledge, he speaks: what knowledge is, he does not immediately say, but he shows it in the context, saying that an idol is nothing.
Knowledge puffs up. It is clear that someone who has knowledge may boast in themselves, not outwardly, because they are wise, or in their own thoughts. For this is the nature of knowledge, to boast in itself, therefore it puffs up. But love builds up. Therefore, knowledge is great and beneficial to oneself if it is humbled by love, so that it may increase even more. For it is restrained by love, so that it may not be purely self-serving and intoxicate the one who possesses it, causing them to exalt themselves. Just as wine, when not mixed with water, confuses the mind; so too, knowledge makes one proud, unless it is tempered. For all things alone are tasteless and harmful; for neither can bread alone be eaten well, nor are the other foods pleasing without the addition, but harmful; therefore, charity builds. Charity itself may be called by one word, but it consists of many; for without patience it cannot be, nor without humility, nor without the simplicity of the heart. Therefore, they were puffed up by knowledge, because there is no idol, who were eating the meats sacrificed against the salvation of ignorant brethren, knowing that it is allowed to eat meat; and because there is no idol, therefore the one eating is not defiled. There were scandals among the brothers, who did not have charity before their eyes; for it was easier for them to despise the flesh than to cause scandal to their brothers. For their knowledge was destroying the minds of ignorant brothers, who thought that there was some grace there with the idol; when they saw that more knowledgeable brothers were participating there and did not seem to be horrified. Therefore, he says: Charity builds up; so that, seeking the salvation of their brothers, they would not use their knowledge according to the laws there, lest they cause scandal to them.
Version 2.) But if anyone thinks that they know anything, they do not yet know how they ought to know. It shows that those who boast in knowledge do not actually know it as they ought to. For while they do not pursue charity, which is the mother of all goods, they do not know it as they should. Therefore, in order for knowledge to bear fruit, it must submit to charity.
(Vers. 3.)
(Verse 3.) But if someone loves God, he is known by Him. He loves God, who for the sake of charity lessens knowledge, in order to benefit his brother, for whom Christ died.
(Vers. 4.)
(Verse 4) Therefore, concerning the offerings of sacrificed food to idols. Now he discusses the cause itself, to show that through knowledge and without charity, not only does it not profit, but it also harms. We know that an idol is nothing, and that there is no God but one. It is true; for among Christians there is only one God.
(Vers. 5.)
(Verse 5.) There are those who are called gods and lords, whether in heaven or on earth. For among the pagans, the sun, moon, and other stars are called celestial gods; on earth, Apollo, Asclepius, Hercules, and Minerva are called gods and lords.
(Vers. 6.)
(Ver. 6.) But to us there is one God the Father, from whom are all things, and we in him. For all things are from him, and we are in him. But when he says, "And we in him," he distinguishes us from others who are also from him but are not yet in him because they do not yet believe. And there is one Lord Jesus, through whom are all things, and we through him. For all things are indeed from the Father, but are created through the Son. But when he says, "And we through him," he means that we are reformed through him, through whom we were created, signifying that in the knowledge of God, having been made by him along with others, we have recognized through him the mystery of the one God after the astonishment of our mind and ignorance. Therefore He called God Father, and one Lord Jesus Christ His Son, that because God cannot but be Lord, in like manner the Lord also might be understood to be God, one God and Lord, by the preservation of the one principle.
(Vers. 7.)
(Verse 7.) But not everyone has knowledge. That is, not all believers know the mystery of the one God; therefore, some think that those who believe in something worship idols.
For some still eat with their conscience the idol as if it were a sacrificed image. For some of the common people still eat with reverence the image of the sacrificed, as if there were some divinity there. And the conscience of others, being weak, is defiled. The conscience is defiled if it is weak concerning God.
(Vers. 8.)
(Verse 8.) However, food does not commend us to God. It is true that we will not please God just because we eat everything; nor will we offend Him if we despise certain things. For whether we eat or not, we will not lack anything. For even if the food of sacrifices is despised, it does not mean that there will be a shortage of what can be eaten; but if it is taken, it will not be excessive, to the point that it is not needed: and for this reason, it should be rejected; because living without it would not be a stumbling block to our brothers and sisters.
(Vers. 9.)
(Verse 9.) However, be careful that your liberty does not become an opportunity for the weak to stumble. In other words, do not let your ability to eat meat sacrificed to idols cause offense to your brothers and sisters who do not yet understand that idols are nothing.
(Vers. 10.)
(Ver. 10.) For if anyone sees him who has knowledge sitting in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
(Vers. 11.)
(Verse 11.) And will the weak brother perish in your knowledge, for whom Christ died? The weak brother will perish if he goes against the faith of the one God concerning what is sacrificed. Indeed, these are words of one who is angered and they show what evil knowledge can produce if it is not tempered by charity. In your knowledge: that is, your expertise causes him to be destroyed; when he sees that you do something that he understands differently. And you will be the cause of the death of a brother whom Christ allowed Himself to be crucified to redeem. And through this it is sometimes necessary to hide knowledge for the sake of charity; because without a doubt the salvation of a brother is more important than food: because although it is allowed, it is not expedient. It will be necessary to have known this, as it is necessary to know.
(Vers. 12.)
(Verse 12.) Thus, when sinning against our brothers and striking their weak conscience, we sin against Christ. For when they are not jealous of charity, by which Christ has freed us, they sin against Christ, not against Christ himself; because to sin against Christ is to deny Christ, but to sin against Christ is to sin against what belongs to Christ. Just as someone under the Law is said to sin in the Law, so too those who are under Christ are said to sin in Christ.
(Vers. 13.)
(Verse 13.) Because of this, if my food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble. He teaches that charity should be pursued to such an extent that things that are permitted are considered unlawful, so as not to hinder our brother. For it is such a great evil to not sin by doing what is unlawful, and to offend through what is permitted. Should the law not be observed in what is unlawful, and yet be blindly followed in what is permitted? For the law permits what it allows, but with the condition that it be done in moderation. Certainly, it is allowed to have a wife, but if she has committed adultery, she must be dismissed: likewise, it is allowed to eat meat, but if it has been offered to idols, it must be rejected.