appearance - G1491 εἶδος
Transliteration: eido
from
<G1492> (eido); a
view, i.e.
form (literal or figurative) :- appearance, fashion, shape, sight.
I think appearance is the correct way it should be interpreted. Even if it turns out that it wasn't evil, the appearance of it should be enough to turn us away from it (no sense taking any chances). It could also mean that even if we personally know that something is not wrong, we should avoid it if perhaps it seems wrong to someone else. Paul uses the example of "Idol meat" He says that even though he knows that an idol itself is "nothing" and he could eat meat that came off an idol (turns out it was the choice meat that they used but of course the idol couldn't eat it) it was sold in the market the next day, but that some brother who had a weak conscience and might think it was wrong, would be enough for him not to do it. Paul says in 1 Cor 8
1 Corinthians 8:7-13 (KJV) 7 Howbeit
there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat
it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Furthermore, in support of this, if we go to Romans 14, Paul tells us,
Romans 14:1-3 (KJV) 1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye,
but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Romans 14:13-23 (KJV) 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather,
that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ
is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
offence - G4348 πρόσκομμα transliteration: proskomma
from <G4350> (proskopto); a stub, i.e. (figurative) occasion of apostasy :- offence, stumbling (-block, [-stone]).
21
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
stumbleth - G4350 προσκόπτω Transliteration: proskoptō
from <G4314> (pros) and <G2875> (kopto); to strike at, i.e. surge against (as water); specially to stub on, i.e. trip up (literal or figurative) :- beat upon, dash, stumble (at).
offence - G4348 πρόσκομμα Transliteration: proskomma
from <G4350> (proskopto); a stub, i.e. (figurative) occasion of apostasy :- offence, stumbling (-block, [-stone]).
22 Hast thou faith? have
it to thyself before God.
Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
condemneth - G2919 κρίνω Transliteration: krinō
properly to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish :- avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
alloweth - G1381 δοκιμάζω Transliteration: dokimazō
from <G1384> (dokimos); to test (literal or figurative); by implication to approve :- allow, discern, examine, × like, (ap-) prove, try.
23
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
doubteth - G1252 διακρίνω Transliteration: diakrinō
from <G1223> (dia) and <G2919> (krino); to separate thoroughly i.e. (literal and reflexive) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figurative to discriminate (by implication decide), or (reflexive) hesitate :- contend, make (to) differ (-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver.
damned - G2632 κατακρίνω Transliteration: katakrinō
from <G2596> (kata) and <G2919> (krino); to judge against, i.e. sentence :- condemn, damn.
faith - G4102 πίστις Transliteration: pistis
from <G3982> (peitho); persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstract constancy in such profes
