1 Corinthians 10:31
What does 1 Corinthians 10:31 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 10:31 means
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” This sweeping command gathers every choice under a single aim: God’s honor. Eating and drinking are not trivial; they are occasions to display God’s worth through gratitude, holiness, and love. The glory of God becomes the decisive criterion when competing claims—liberty, conscience, cultural pressure—pull in different directions. If an action obscures His glory by confusing loyalties, harming others, or dulling worship, it should be set aside. If it magnifies His goodness and advances love, it may be embraced. This God-centered focus liberates believers from both bondage to scruples and careless self-assertion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So then, if it is a question of food or drink, or any other thing, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Whether, then, ye eat, or drink, or do anything, do all to the glory of God;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all things toGod's glory.
Context
Paul now offers the grand principle that governs all the particulars discussed—market meat, private meals, and temple feasts. God’s glory provides the compass for ethical navigation. With this north star established, verses 32–33 apply it relationally: avoid giving offense to Jews, Greeks, or the church, and imitate Paul’s pattern of seeking the good of many for their salvation. The flow moves from Godward aim to neighborward sensitivity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Zechariah 7:5
Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh month, even these seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
- 1 Corinthians 7:34
and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
- Deuteronomy 12:7
and there ye shall eat before Jehovah your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein Jehovah thy God hath blessed thee.
- Nehemiah 8:16
So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.
- 1 Peter 4:11
if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
- Deuteronomy 12:18
but thou shalt eat them before Jehovah thy God in the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before Jehovah thy God in all that thou puttest thy hand unto.
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