"Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." (1 Corinthians 8:8-9). Paul is addressing the issue of the Corinthian Christians eating meat that has been offered as a sacrifice in a pagan temple. Because pagan temples offered parts of animals in sacrifice to idols, they also often functioned as butcher shops and banquet halls. Public and private dinner parties were held in temple dining rooms and meat from the temple was sold to the public in the marketplace. Paul urged the Corinthian Christians not to eat in pagan temples because it might be destructive to the faith of a weaker brother or sister. Even if the Corinthian Christian had the right to eat food offered as sacrifices in pagan temples, it is more important to refrain from using that right out of concern for the spiritual well-being of other Christians.While eating meat purchased in the marketplace that may have come from a pagan temple was technically not wrong, if it caused a brother or sister in Christ to stumble, then it was the same as sinning against Christ (vs. 12). Yes, you are your brother's keeper!
