In this passage, Paul addresses the issue of Christian liberty. He begins by telling the Corinthians that they all have knowledge. However, he says, knowledge, by itself, makes one arrogant, but love builds people up. Therefore, Paul tells those with knowledge that they do not know as they ought to know. However, he tells those who love God that they are lovingly known by Him.

For the reasons that Paul has just explained, Paul tells the Corinthians that they know that there is no such thing as a living idol, and there is only one God. Then, he says that Christians only have one God, the Father, who is the Source of all things, and the reason for their existence, and one Lord, Jesus, who is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and the One through whom people exist.

In verse 7, Paul says that not everyone has the knowledge that idols do not exist. This is because they are accustomed to idols, and eat food that has been sacrificed to them as if that was the reality. Therefore, they sin by defiling their consciences. However, Paul says, food does not commend one to God. Nevertheless, he commands those with knowledge to be careful with how they interact with those without knowledge. Then, he explains that it is possible for those with knowledge to lead those without knowledge into sin if they eat meat sacrificed to idols in front of them. As a result, those without knowledge will be ruined. Therefore, those who lead them into sin also sin against Christ. Finally, Paul concludes that it is better to never eat meat sacrificed to idols than cause a Christian to sin by doing so.