1  NOW as touching things offered unto idols, [ The question at hand would appear to try to disolve the dispute between the Karaites and the Traditionites, how far it was lawful to derive any benefit or advantage from things used by the Gentiles and their idol worship. The two views were thus: The Karaites were a sect of the Jews who "It is unlawful to receive any benefit from any kind of heathen worship, or from any thing that has been offered to an idol." - "It is unlawful to buy or sell an idol, and if, by accident, any such thing shall come into thy power, thou shalt derive no emolument from it." The Traditionists, as the Talmud shows, did generally the same; but it appears that they scrupled not to use any animal employed in idolatrous worship, provided they did not see the sign of the idol on it. The entire town would show up for these festivals. So part of the issue her is is it ok to eat the meat that is left over as part of the sacrifice to the idols? Is that participating in the idol worship? ] we know that we all have knowledge. [ This would have most likely be in quotes in the original letter to the saints in Corinth. Here he is responding to what questions he is being asked. So the knowledge referred to here is the knowledge that it is ok for me to go to the pagan party because I know that I am not going to do anything that I am not supposed to do. Or it is not idolatry for me being at the party because I am not there to worship, I know better. Remember we are in a town called Corinth where knowledge means everything. So we are in a way living the spirit of the law not the letter of the law. It is often our knowledge that is used when we opt for the spirit of the law over the letter of the law. ] Knowledge puffeth up, [ So knowledge then puts us in the frame of mined where we can do what we want, couched in the fact that in our opinion we are adhering to the spirit of the law. Or the danger with knowledge is that you become proud, puffed you up to the point that you belief that your are better than the law. ] but charity [ The pure love of Christ is what we should be focusing on. So knowledge is good but charity is better. So the question that is being framed here is in terms of knowledge vs charity. True power from God is safeguarded by one attribute alone and that is charity. This is one of the foremost attribues of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. So when we talk about charity hat God is saying is in order to wield my power I need to know that you have an eye single to the glory of God - the immortality and eternal life of man. ] edifieth. [ Means to build people or thing up. So the comparison here is puffing up which is something which you usually do with yourself, building up is something that you do to or for others. ]

2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. [ In essence it does not matter if the animal was used as sacrifice to and idol, because we all know tha these idols are not Gods. And I was not participating in the sacrifice to the Gods(idols) because I know that they do not really exist. So while others may be offerring the sacrifice as true worship to me it is nothing more than just food. ]

5 For though there be that are called gods, [ Lower case. ] whether in heaven or in earth, ( as there be gods many, [ As there are in Rome, there are Gods for everything under the sun. ] and lords many,)

6 But to us there is but one God, [ Capitalized. The one God. The true God. The only one that I believe in, this is what I know to be true even when I am at the pagan celebration. ] the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7  Howbeit [ Or that is all fine and good that you know that there is only one true God, and I know that you know it. ] there is not in every man that knowledge: [ But not every one gets the fact that there is only one true God. In addition; while they might not know that they also may not know that you do know that fact. ] for some with conscience of the idol [ Those who are accustomed to worshipping that idol, well don't you think that they all assume that everyone there is in the same spirit of worship so to speak. Everyone is there for the same reason - right? ] unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; [ This is the assumption on the part of those who are accustomed to worshipping that idols. ] and their conscience being weak is defiled. [ If that person was to go to the pagan party their conscience would be pricked. They would feel guilty by association for even being at the party, and you - I know, you just know better as you say. OR paul is suggesting that I get it, I know you can go there and not worship the idols so I do not judge you for that, but the question is what effect are you having on those people who would have the conscience pricked if they went, how do you think it makes them feel to see you go? Are you sensitive to their sensitivities, even if it is not specifically forbidden. ]

8  But meat commendeth us not to God: [ Or I get it as Paul would say - the meat from the sacrifice is not moving us closer of farther away from God, it is beside the point. ] for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. [ So Paul is saying I get it, I understand you. Being at the party does not effect you in your opinion, but that is not my bigger concern. It is what effect is it having on those others. ]

9  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. [ Be careful in eating at the feasts of idols as those who are weaker in faith may see you there and suppose that you are there in a manner to worship. ]

10  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, [ One might ask what are you doing in the temple of the idols in the first place. Just because the local pub makes the best hamburgers in town does not mean that you should go there. Or does it? ] shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat [ Or if they see you do thus, eat the meat from the sacrifice, then others will feel justified in them doing so as well. ] those things which are offered to idols;

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12  But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. [ In otherwords if because of your bad example you cause someone else to fall you have made the sufferring on the cross for that individual of no worth as they have now chosen another way without Christ. ]

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. [ Pauls is suggesting as for himself given his reputation and what he stands for as an apostle, he will choose to not eat the meat of idols, as a matter of fact I would not even any flesh if I had to in order to make sure that others did not think that I was in any way doing wrong, so as not to confuse others in any way. He would avoid any appearance of evil. ]