Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 10:25

What does 1 Corinthians 10:25 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 10:25 means

“Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake.” Paul grants freedom to buy and eat meat from the market without interrogation about its origin. Since the act is detached from worship, the believer’s conscience need not be burdened. Scrupulosity can become a snare; Paul endorses a simple, thankful reception of God’s gifts. This instruction guards against unnecessary anxiety and endless inquiries that fracture fellowship. It also distinguishes between forbidden participation in idol feasts and permissible ordinary eating. God’s people may enjoy His provision in daily life without fear, provided they are not endorsing or sharing in idolatry.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Whatever meat may be had at the public market, take as food without question of right or wrong;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Whatever in the meat-market is sold eat ye, not inquiring, because of the conscience,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat: asking no question for conscience' sake.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Everything sold in the shambles eat, making no inquiry for conscience sake.

Context

Applying the love-and-edification framework, Paul addresses the marketplace. Unlike the temple, the shambles involve no cultic setting. Verse 25 sets a baseline of freedom that verse 26 will ground in God’s ownership of creation. Then, verse 27 will extend this freedom to private meals with unbelievers. Verses 28–30 will add a limit when someone’s conscience is at stake because the food is explicitly identified as sacrificial.

v.24Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor’s good.

v.25This passage

v.26for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:27

    If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast, and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake.

  • Titus 1:15

    To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

  • Acts 10:15

    And a voice came unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:7

    Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

  • Romans 14:14

    I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

  • 1 Timothy 4:4

    For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving:

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