The culture in Corinth, as in every Gentile community in the first century, was pagan. And, the
pagan culture was permeated with the pagan gods and their idols. Even eating in a Pagan temple could be much more than worship of the Pagan god, it was also a social event between friends and family. For example, invitations to a child’s birthday party and to a coming-of-age party held in a rooms in a Corinthian temple have been preserved. The coming-of-age party papyrus reads like this:

“Apollonius requests you to dine at the table of the lord Sarapis on the occasion of the coming of age of his brothers in the temple of Thoeris.” (Notes)

Paul says that the knowledge that these gods are nothing and the knowledge that there is only one Creator God gives the believer the “right” (exousia) to eat meat that was served in or taken from a temple. The word exousia means “authority,” “freedom,” “privilege,” or “right” and was used to refer
to civic privileges possessed by leading citizens.

But, if another believer without knowledge thinks that temple meat is demon possessed or if they
still feel religiously moved by a pagan ritual, then they will be confused by a believer who is merely enjoying a good steak.  In this case Paul says the mature believer should temper his knowledge and the freedom he has in Christ in order to avoid confusing the less mature believer who is lacking knowledge and understanding.

Knowledge without love can be destructive, so Paul says he will wrap his knowledge and all of his exousia in love. Paul says:

            “If what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again.”

"Some people feel guilty about their anxieties and regard them as a defect of faith but they are afflictions, not sins. Like all afflictions, they are, if we can so take them, our share in the passion of Christ. "
- C.S.Lewis

Three Points of the Gospel:
1- Christ died for our sins
2- Christ was buried
3- Christ rose from the dead