Letters to the Churches

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.

For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on earth (for there be gods many and lords many):

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.

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.

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.

But take heed lest perhaps this your liberty become a stumblingblock to the weak.

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?

And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ hath died?

Now when you sin thus against the brethren and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother.

Am I not I free? Am not I an apostle? Have not I seen Christ Jesus our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord?

And if unto others I be not an apostle, but yet to you I am. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

My defence with them that do examine me is this.

Have not we power to eat and to drink?

Have we not power to carry about a woman, a sister as well as the rest of the apostles and the brethren of the Lord and Cephas?

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to do this?

Who serveth as a soldier, at any time, at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Who feedeth the flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

Speak I these things according to man? Or doth not the law also say; these things?

For it is written in the law of Moses: Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

Or doth he say this indeed for our sakes? For these things are written for our sakes: that he that plougheth, should plough in hope and he that thrasheth, in hope to receive fruit.

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

If others be partakers of this power over you, why not we rather? Nevertheless, we have not used this power: but we bear all things, lest we should give any hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

Know you not that they who work in the holy place eat the things that are of the holy place; and they that serve the altar partake with the altar?

So also the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel should live by the gospel.

But I have used none of these things. Neither have I written these things, that they should be so done unto me: for it is good for me to die rather than that any man should make my glory void.