1 Corinthians 10:27
What does 1 Corinthians 10:27 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 10:27 means
If an unbeliever invites you, and you choose to go, “whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake.” Hospitality provides an opportunity for witness and fellowship. Paul grants freedom to accept and to eat without conducting moral investigations. This simplicity honors the host and keeps the believer’s conscience at rest. The key is that the meal is not framed as worship. However, freedom is not absolute: if the food is identified as sacrificial, love will restrain liberty for another’s sake. Until then, gratitude and peace should rule the table, reflecting trust in God’s lordship over all He has made.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If a Gentile makes a feast for you, and you are pleased to go as a guest, take whatever is put before you, without question of right or wrong.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if any one of the unbelieving do call you, and ye wish to go, all that is set before you eat, nothing inquiring, because of the conscience;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If any of them that believe not, invite you, and you be willing to go: eat of any thing that is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But if any one of the unbelievers invite you, and ye are minded to go, all that is set before you eat, making no inquiry for conscience sake.
Context
Moving from the marketplace to private homes, Paul applies the same principle of freedom with gratitude. Verse 27 affirms that believers can engage socially without constant scruples, distinguishing everyday meals from cultic participation. The scenario anticipates verse 28, where a guest or fellow diner highlights that the food was offered in sacrifice, creating a conscience issue. Verses 28–30 will then show how love limits liberty for the sake of others.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 5:29
And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them.
- Luke 15:23
and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:
- 2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
- 1 Corinthians 10:25
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake;
- 1 Corinthians 5:9
I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators;
- 2 Corinthians 4:2
but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
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