1 Corinthians 10:30
What does 1 Corinthians 10:30 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 10:30 means
“If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?” Paul recognizes that a believer may rightly enjoy food with gratitude. Yet if that thankful eating leads others to slander or stumble, wisdom may forgo it in certain settings. The point is not to surrender to every critic, but to avoid unnecessary reproach and confusion about Christian allegiance. Public perception matters when it touches the gospel’s honor and a neighbor’s conscience. Thus, a thankful heart and a discerning love work together: we receive God’s gifts freely, and we restrain ourselves freely, choosing the path that best commends Christ to others.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
KJV
King James Version · 1611For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if I give praise to God for the food which I take, let no man say evil of me for that reason.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if I thankfully do partake, why am I evil spoken of, for that for which I give thanks?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I spoken evil of for what I give thanks for?
Context
This continues the rhetorical wrestling from verse 29, acknowledging the legitimacy of thankful participation while considering the impact on others. It prepares for the summarizing maxim of verse 31—do all to God’s glory—and the final instructions in verses 32–33 about giving no offense to any group and following Paul’s example of seeking others’ salvation over personal rights.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 14:6
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
- 1 Timothy 4:3
forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
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