1 Corinthians 8:9

9 But be careful that by any means this liberty of yours doesn't become a stumbling block to the weak.

1 Corinthians 8:9 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 8:9

But take heed lest by any means
This is either a reply to the instance of such as argued in favour of eating things offered to idols; or a limitation and explanation of the apostle's own concession, that it made a man, with respect to the favour of God, neither better nor worse: yet care should be taken, lest

this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are
weak;
he owns they had a liberty, or a right, or power, as the word may be rendered, of eating, or not eating, as they pleased; but then they ought to be cautious, lest they should be the means of offending, or causing to offend, such who were weak in the faith, and had not that knowledge of Christian liberty they had: not the use of their power and liberty is here denied, but the abuse of it is guarded against; for though the action itself was indifferent, yet as it might be used, it might be sinful, being attended with very bad consequences, such as hereafter mentioned.

1 Corinthians 8:9 In-Context

7 However, that knowledge isn't in all men. 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.

8 But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don't eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.

9 But be careful that by any means this liberty of yours doesn't become a stumbling block to the weak.

10 For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol's temple, won't his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

11 And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died.