Is it permitted to eat of meats which have been sacrificed to false gods?

Saint Paul, I Cor. 8:1f and 10:14-21

With commentaries from the Bible of Fillion

1. In itself, meats which have been immolated to false gods are not illicit for enlightened Christians (who have knowledge). As false gods are nothing, a dish which had been presented to them would not be profaned by this, nor rendered illicit:

“But as for the meats that are sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one” (I Cor. 8:4). “But meat doth not commend us to God. For neither, if we eat, shall we have the more; nor, if we eat not, shall we have the less” (I Cor. 8:8).

2. However, there is no true knowledge without charity. Knowledge alone is not enough to resolve practical cases. Knowledge, when it is alone, and not accompanied by charity, often produces a sad result: it renders one vain, proud, arrogant. This was the case for several Christians of Corinth who, acting according to their knowledge of the nothingness of idols, which was moreover very exact, despised and were not troubled at scandalising their brethren who thought differently than them because of a lack of understanding.

“Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth” (I Cor. 8:1).

3. Consequently, even if someone is convinced that in itself, it be indifferent to eat of meat that had been sacrificed to idols, nevertheless, if there is a danger of scandalising the less enlightened brethren, who may be led to think (through a remnant of superstition) that it is permitted to eat of meat that had been offered to idols as to gods that really existed, than he who is more enlightened must absolutely abstain from it, through charity for his brother.

“But take heed lest perhaps this your liberty become a stumbling block to the weak. For if a man see him that hath knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not his conscience, being weak, be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to idols? And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ hath died? (...) Wherefore, if meat scandalise my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalise my brother” (I Cor. 8: 9-11,13).

“Eat whatsoever is sold in the market, asking no question through scruple of conscience. The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof. If any of them that believe not invite you, and you be willing to go, eat all that they serve you, without asking anything through scruple of conscience (thus, without you believing yourself obliged to make an investigation to know if those meats had been beforehand sacrificed to idols). “But if any man say to you: this has been sacrificed to idols, do not eat of it for his sake that had given the warning, and because of his conscience. Conscience, I say, not thy own, but the other’s (I Cor. 10: 25-29).

4. Even if, in itself,  meats immolated to idols do not become illicit, it remains nevertheless that it is not permitted to Christians to participate in meals celebrated by the pagans in their sacred buildings, because that would expose them to all the chastisements inflicted on the ancient Hebrews.

“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, fly from idolatry. The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord? (...) Behold Israel according to the flesh: are not they, that eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar? What then? Do I say, that what is offered in sacrifice to idols, is anything? Or, that the idol is anything? No, but the things which the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God. And I would not that you should be made partakers with devils. You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord, and the chalice of devils. You cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils” (I Cor. 10: 14-21).