Letters to the Churches

Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one.

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;

yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.

For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.

Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.

Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

My defence to them that examine me is this.

Have we no right to eat and to drink?

Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working?

What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

Do I speak these things after the manner of men? or saith not the law also the same?

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth,

or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking.

If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?

If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar?

Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel.

But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.