1 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 8.
Christian Liberty in the Matter of Eating Meat Offered to Idols. 1 Cor. 8, 1—13.
A warning against the reckless use of Christian liberty: V. 12. But when ye sin so against the brethren and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. V. 13. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
The apostle now describes the further result of such conduct: In so sinning against the brethren and in striking their weak conscience a blow, you are sinning against Christ. So it is not only the weak brother that sins in such a case by his yielding, but the stronger Christian that tempted him sins as well.
And his is the greater damnation; for not only does he strike the conscience of the weaker a blow that dazes him in his spiritual life, shocks and deranges it, renders it useless, but he sins directly against Christ. Compare Matthew 18, 6 ff.; 25, 40. 45.
It is here that the act reaches its climax and exhibits the height of its guiltiness, since the purpose of the Savior's death cannot be realized on its account. Every offense by which we sin against the brethren is offered to Christ, and to strike the weak conscience of a brother is all the more reprehensible since it is done with the pretext of working in his interest, although the offender meanwhile fatuously displays his own selfishness.
All the more strongly, by way of contrast, the self-denial of Paul stands out: Therefore verily, if food offends my brother, I will surely not eat meat forever, lest my brother be offended. Note that he says "my brother," with special emphasis. For the sake of brotherly love and in the interest of weaker brethren, the apostle is ready to yield even more of his liberty; he will give up even other foods about which another may still be in doubt, not only the food offered to sacrifices.
So the principle which must regulate the use of things indifferent at all times and under all circumstances is that of love.