1 Corinthians 10:26
What does 1 Corinthians 10:26 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 10:26 means
“For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.” This affirmation undergirds Christian liberty in everyday eating. All creation belongs to God; therefore, food is received as His gift. The source of meat, even if it once passed through an idol’s market, does not taint what God made good. Gratitude sanctifies ordinary meals. This truth frees believers from fear and from attributing power to idols over what God owns. It also encourages contentment rather than fastidiousness. Recognizing God’s lordship over the earth transforms eating into worship, done with thanksgiving and without needless scruples, so long as no idolatrous fellowship is implied.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the earth is the Lord's and all things in it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for the Lord's <FI>is<Fi> the earth, and its fulness;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the earth [is] the Lord's and its fulness.
Context
This verse supplies the theological basis for the permission in verse 25. Because everything in creation belongs to the Lord, believers may partake with thanksgiving. Paul will now carry this principle into social settings in verse 27, allowing believers to eat what is served in an unbeliever’s home without interrogation. The subsequent verses (28–30) will introduce a relational limit for the sake of another’s conscience.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 50:12
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; For the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
- Deuteronomy 10:14
Behold, unto Jehovah thy God belongeth heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein.
- 1 Timothy 6:17
Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
- Job 41:11
Who hath first given unto me, that I should repay him? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
- Psalms 24:1
The earth is Jehovah’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.
- 1 Corinthians 10:28
But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience’ sake:
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