{If a man see thee which hast knowledge sitting at meat in
an idol's temple} (ean gar tis id(8869) [se] ton echonta gn(9373)in en
eid(936c)ei(9369) katakeimenon). Condition of third class, a possible
case. Paul draws the picture of the enlightened brother
exercising his "liberty" by eating in the idol's temple. Later he
will discuss the peril to the man's own soul in this phase of the
matter ( 10:14-22 ), but here he considers only the effect of
such conduct on the unenlightened or weak brother. This bravado
at a sacrificial banquet is in itself idolatrous as Paul will
show. But our weak brother will be emboldened
(oikodom(8874)h(8873)etai, future passive indicative, will be built up)
to go on and do what he still believes to be wrong, to eat things
sacrificed to idols (eis to ta eid(936c)othuta esthiein). Alas, how
often that has happened. Defiance is flung in the face of the
unenlightened brother instead of loving consideration.