ks he
knows any thing, he yet knows nothing as he ought to know; [8:3]but if
any one loves God, this [man] is known by him. [8:4]Concerning eating
things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,
and that there is no other God but one. [8:5]For even if there are
those called Gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as there are many
gods and many lords, [8:6]yet to us there is one God the Father, of
whom are all things, and we in him, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through
whom are all things and we through him. [8:7]But all have not this
knowledge; and some with the conscience [unenlightened] even till now
eat an idol's [sacrifice] as an idol's sacrifice, and their conscience
being weak is defiled. [8:8]But food does not commend us to God; for
neither if we eat not are we worse, nor if we eat are we better.
[8:9]But beware lest your liberty should become an offense to the weak.
[8:10]For if any one sees you who have knowledge reclining in an idol's
temple, will not the conscience of him that is weak be emboldened to
eat things offered to idols? [8:11]And will not the weak brother for
whom Christ died perish by your knowledge? [8:12]But when you thus sin
against the brothers, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against
Christ. [8:13] Wherefore, if food offends my brother, I will eat no
meat forever, that I may not offend my brother.

CHAPTER IV.

THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY ENTITLED TO A SUPPORT, PAUL'S LABORS WITHOUT
CHARGE.

1 [9:1]AM I not a freeman? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus
Christ our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord? [9:2]If I am not an
apostle to others, I certainly am to you; for you are a seal of my
apostleship in the Lord. [9:3]My defense to those who condemn me is
this; [9:4]Have we not a right to eat and drink? [9:5]Have we not a
right to lead about a sister, a wife, as also the other apostles; and
the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? [9:6]Or I only and Barnabas,
have we not a right to abstain from labor? [9:7]Who ever goes on a
military expedition at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and eats
not the fruit of it? or who feeds a flock and eats not of the milk of
the flock? [9:8] Do I say these things in the manner of men? or does
not the law also say the same? [9:9]For it is written in the law of
Moses, You shall not muzzle the ox that threshes. Does God care for
oxen? [9:10]or does he speak entirely for our sakes? For our sakes,
doubtless, it was written