Bible / 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 8
Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (1749–1752), the traditional Catholic English Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate. If you read a modern Bible, this is the same Scripture in older English; some names are spelled differently (Cesarea for Caesarea, Apocalypse for Revelation). About this translation
1 Now concerning those things that are sacrificed to idols: we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up: but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he hath not yet known as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known by him.
4 But as for the meats that are sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is no God but one. Fathers
5 For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on earth (for there be gods many and lords many):
6 Yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him: and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. CCC
7 But there is not knowledge in every one. For some until this present, with conscience of the idol, eat as a thing sacrificed to an idol: and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
8 But meat doth not commend us to God. For neither, if we eat, shall we have the more: nor, if we eat not, shall we have the less.
9 But take heed lest perhaps this your liberty become a stumblingblock to the weak.
10 For if a man see him that hath knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not his conscience, being weak, be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to idols? CCC
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ hath died? CCC · Fathers
12 Now when you sin thus against the brethren and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. CCC
13 Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother. CCC
This chapter in the Catechism and the early Church
Where the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites these verses (from its footnotes on vatican.va), and where the earliest Church Fathers quote them (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, public domain). Short quotes only; follow the links for the full text.
Read the Fathers
“… there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth; yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we through Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter VI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 2639 “Praise is the form of prayer which recognizes most immediately that God is God. It lauds God for his own sake and…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 2285 “Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who…”
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 2285 “Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who…”
“… again: "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth upon a tree." And again: "And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died;”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XVIII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 2285 “Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who…”
A modern English Catholic translation will be added once its publisher grants permission.