Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 10:28

What does 1 Corinthians 10:28 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 10:28 means

“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.” When the issue is raised, the believer should abstain—not out of fear of the food, but to protect the other’s conscience and to avoid signaling approval of idolatry. The one who speaks up may be a weaker Christian or an observant unbeliever; in either case, love chooses clarity over personal right. Abstaining becomes a testimony that allegiance to Christ matters more than menu freedom. By declining, the believer guards others from confusion or stumbling and keeps the gospel’s distinctiveness unblurred in mixed company.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But if anyone says to you, This food has been used as an offering, do not take it, on account of him who said it, and on account of his sense of right and wrong:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if any one may say to you, `This is a thing sacrificed to an idol,' --do not eat, because of that one who shewed <FI>it<Fi> , and of the conscience, for the Lord's <FI>is<Fi> the earth and its fulness:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But if any man say: This has been sacrificed to idols: do not eat of it, for his sake that told it and for conscience' sake.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But if any one say to you, This is offered to holy purposes, do not eat, for his sake that pointed it out, and conscience sake;

Context

This limitation qualifies the freedom of verses 25 and 27. Paul’s pastoral concern shifts from the eater’s conscience to the speaker’s. The act of identifying the food as sacrificial ties it to worship, introducing a relational and witness component. Verses 29–30 will clarify that the abstention is for the other’s conscience, and will raise rhetorical questions about liberty and thanksgiving, preparing for the comprehensive principle in verse 31.

v.27If 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.

v.28This passage

v.29conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other’s; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

Cross references

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

  • Romans 14:15

    For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:10

    For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

  • Exodus 9:29

    And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto Jehovah; the thunders shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know that the earth is Jehovah’s.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:26

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

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 10:14

    Behold, unto Jehovah thy God belongeth heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein.

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