However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Comment: I think the word ‘meat’ here is covering ‘food’ and we can use the principle which Paul is teaching to be transferable to such things as ‘clothing’, ‘things which we see as entertainment’ etc. Paul very powerfully says that he didn’t choose to live by his ‘superior knowledge’ but in consideration for his brethren in the faith! He could always eat somewhere else, or dress in a way that wasn’t offensive to some believers or even if necessary limit the channels on his TV which didn’t offend his fellow believers! NB I’m sure that there were many programs which he would refuse to watch! So the principle wasn’t ‘my rights first’ but ‘let’s support one another’ in our walk to Christian maturity.
Prayer: Help me to see my freedom in Jesus as freedom to live aright not freedom to be self-centred.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comment on this passage. I agree with what you have said. It is a basic principle to be careful not to cause a weaker brother to stumble. God bless you.
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