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.