1 Corinthians 8:9

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

But pay attention[to this], so that somehow this liberty of yours [i.e., to eat whatever you want to] does not become an occasion over which weak people could fall [away from God].

Cross References

Matthew 18:10

Make sure you do not look down on any one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of Christ]. For I tell you, their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

Romans 15:1

Now those of us who are strong [spiritually] should put up with [or, help] the failings of [spiritually] weak people, and not [simply] do what pleases ourselves.

1 Corinthians 10:24

No one should look out for his own interests [only], but for the interests of others [as well].

1 Corinthians 10:28

But if anyone says to you, “This [food] has been offered as a sacrifice [to an idol],” do not eat it, for the sake of the person who pointed this out to you, and for conscience’ sake ---

1 Corinthians 10:29

that is, for the sake of the other person’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom [to eat what I want] be judged [as wrong] by another person’s conscience? [Note: The questions in this and the following verse may mean, “It is not worth eating questionable things, if doing so would bring criticism from a weak brother”].

1 Corinthians 10:32

Do not [do what could] cause Jews, Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] or the church of God to fall [away from God].

1 Corinthians 8:10

For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, who have [correct] knowledge [in this matter], eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols?

1 Corinthians 8:12

And in this way, when you sin against the brothers by injuring their weak conscience, you are [actually] sinning against Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:22

I behaved like a weak person in front of weak people [See 8:9-12], in order to win them over [i.e., to help them become stronger]. I have become all things to all people so that, in every way, I could save some of them.

2 Corinthians 11:21

I am ashamed to say that we were [too] weak to do such things. [Note: Paul is probably saying, sarcastically, “We are too ‘weak’ to take financial advantage of people and mistreat them the way those ‘super apostles’ there in Corinth were doing”]. Yet, in whatever [matters] anyone [there] dares to boast about, (now I am really speaking foolishly), I will dare to boast also.

2 Corinthians 11:29

Who is weak, and I do not feel their weakness? Who is led astray [from God], and I do not burn [i.e., with righteous anger over the one who caused it]?

2 Corinthians 6:3

[We try] not to place an obstacle in anyone’s way [i.e., to keep them from accepting the Gospel message], so that our ministry would not be blamed.

Galatians 5:13

For you brothers were called [by God] to enjoy your freedom; but do not use this freedom as an excuse for living a sinful life; instead, use it to render loving service to each other.

Colossians 2:8

Pay attention so that no one takes you [spiritually] captive through his philosophy and empty deception based on human tradition, according to the principles of the world and not according to Christ.

1 Peter 2:16

As servants of God, you should live as free people, but do not use this freedom to cover up your wrongdoing.

2 Peter 2:19

[Although] these people promise “liberty,” they themselves are slaves to corrupting influences, for people are slaves to whatever controls them.

Revelation 2:14

“But I have a few things against you because you have people there [in the church] who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites, [causing them] to eat food sacrificed to idols and to be sexually immoral [See Num. 23-24].