¹⁴ I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.^(A) But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.^{(B) 15} If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.^(C) Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.^{(D) 16} Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.^{(E) 17} For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,^(F) but of righteousness, peace^(G) and joy in the Holy Spirit,^{(H) 18} because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.^(I)

¹⁹ Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace^(J) and to mutual edification.^{(K) 20} Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.^(L) All food is clean,^(M) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.^{(N) 21} It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.^(O)

²² So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn^(P) himself by what he approves.

Sexual Immorality

¹² “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.^(A) “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

⁸ But food does not bring us near to God;^(A) we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

⁹ Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block^(B) to the weak.^{(C) 10} For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?^{(D) 11} So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed^(E) by your knowledge. ¹² When you sin against them^(F) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.^{(G) 13} Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.^(H)

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

¹⁹ Though I am free^(A) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,^(B) to win as many as possible.^{(C) 20} To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.^(D) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),^(E) so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law^(F) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),^(G) so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.^(H) I have become all things to all people^(I) so that by all possible means I might save some.^{(J) 23} I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Believer’s Freedom

²³ “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.^(A) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴ No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.^(B)

²⁵ Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,^{(C) 26} for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”^[a](D)

²⁷ If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you^(E) without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸ But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.^{(F) 29} I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom^(G) being judged by another’s conscience? ³⁰ If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?^(H)

³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.^{(I) 32} Do not cause anyone to stumble,^(J) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God^(K)— ³³ even as I try to please everyone in every way.^(L) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,^(M) so that they may be saved.^(N)