1 Corinthians 8:9

9 Be careful, however, that your freedom does not 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 But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.

8 But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

9 Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols?

11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.