Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 10:29

What does 1 Corinthians 10:29 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 10:29 means

Paul explains, “conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other’s.” The believer is free, but love willingly yields for another’s good. He then asks, “for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?” This honest question voices the tension: Why should my freedom be limited by someone else’s sensitivities? The answer, implied by the context, is that love values people over rights and mission over menus. Freedom is precious, but it is not ultimate. In matters indifferent, believers can gladly adapt for the sake of a neighbor’s spiritual welfare and the gospel’s clarity, trusting that God sees and approves such self-denial.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Right and wrong, I say, not for you, but for the other man; for the fact that I am free is not dependent on another man's sense of right or wrong.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and conscience, I say, not of thyself, but of the other, for why <FI>is it<Fi> that my liberty is judged by another's conscience?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Conscience I say, not thy own, but the other's. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but conscience, I mean, not thine own, but that of the other: for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

Context

This verse interprets the abstention of verse 28, making clear that the issue is not the eater’s guilt, but the other person’s conscience and perception. Paul acknowledges the costliness of restricting liberty, posing a rhetorical question he will continue in verse 30. These questions set up the broad, God-centered rule in verse 31, which reframes all choices under the goal of God’s glory and the avoidance of offense (vv.32–33).

v.28But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience’ sake:

v.29This passage

v.30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 8:9

    But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:21

    for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:22

    abstain from every form of evil.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:19

    For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.

  • 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 10:32

    Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:

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