1 Corinthians 8:1

King James Version (KJV)

Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Translations

1 Corinthians 8:1 - Amplified Bible

NOW ABOUT food offered to idols: of course we know that all of us possess knowledge [concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies {and} builds up {and} encourages one to grow [to his full stature].

1 Corinthians 8:1 - American Standard Version

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.

1 Corinthians 8:1 - Bible in Basic English

Now about things offered to images: we all seem to ourselves to have knowledge. Knowledge gives pride, but love gives true strength.

1 Corinthians 8:1 - Darby Bible

But concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know, (for we all have knowledge: knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

1 Corinthians 8:1 - English Standard Version

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.

1 Corinthians 8:1 - King James Version

Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

1 Corinthians 8:1 - La Biblia de las Americas

En cuanto a lo sacrificado a los ìdolos, sabemos que todos tenemos conocimiento. El conocimiento envanece, pero el amor edifica.

1 Corinthians 8:1 - The Message

The question keeps coming up regarding meat that has been offered up to an idol: Should you attend meals where such meat is served, or not? We sometimes tend to think we know all we need to know to answer these kinds of questions—but sometimes our humble hearts can help us more than our proud minds. We never really know enough until we recognize that God alone knows it all.

1 Corinthians 8:1 - New American Standard Bible

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.

1 Corinthians 8:1 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

En cuanto a lo sacrificado a los ìdolos, sabemos que todos tenemos conocimiento. El conocimiento envanece, pero el amor edifica.

1 Corinthians 8:1 - World English Bible

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

1 Corinthians 8:1 - Young's Living Translation

And concerning the things sacrificed to idols, we have known that we all have knowledge: knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up;

1 Corinthians 8:1 - Additional Comments

Food used in pagan worship was divided into three parts. One part was sacrificed on the alter as an offering. The second part was kept by the worshipper, and the third part was given to the priest. Priests often accumulated an excess of meats which they could not store, so they sold it in the markets. Christians were worried about whether it was proper to eat some of this meat, that if by eating it, they would be participating in the idol worship.
Paul is here beginning the discussion about what is proper. In relation to the meat itself, Paul says there is nothing wrong with eating this meat (vs 8).
But, more importantly than how the meat affects you, is how eating it affects others (vs 9).
So, you may have the *knowledge* that it is okay to eat this meat, yet because of your *love* for others, because they are weaker (vs 7), you choose not to, so as not to harm them (vs 11). Your love for them overrides your knowledge of what is proper.
But this principle can be expanded into a more general principle. You may be able to justify certain actions, but we need to pay close attention to *how* we say things, how we convey the truth, and how holding to these truths affects those weaker in the faith. If the exercising of our freedoms affects those who are weaker, we should rather be restricted, as love overrides knowledge.
And, in general, knowledge puffs up. Why? Is it something someone has the others do not. This is the other side of coveting. Coveting is an unhealthy desire for things you don't have. This puffed up attitude is an unhealthy view of what you have that others do not. You could look at the same list of things that people covet, and those same things cause arrogance when you have more than others - looks, money, position, knowledge, skills (like sports), etc. If you have extra knowledge, or any of these things, may it be said of you that even though you had these things, you were not puffed up about it.
And, be careful, allow others to reveal any puffed attitude you may have, as you may be blind to it.

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