Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 10:32

What does 1 Corinthians 10:32 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 10:32 means

“Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God.” Paul widens the circle of concern to every audience the believer might affect: the religious Jew, the pagan Gentile, and fellow Christians. The goal is not people-pleasing at the expense of truth, but removing needless obstacles to faith and fellowship. Thoughtful restraint in disputable matters can open doors for the gospel and preserve unity. The church’s testimony depends not only on what it believes, but on how it behaves amid cultural tensions. Avoiding offense means exercising liberty with tact, patience, and a readiness to adapt for love’s sake without compromising loyalty to Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Give no cause of trouble to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

become offenceless, both to Jews and Greeks, and to the assembly of God;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Be without offence to the Jew, and to the Gentiles and to the church of God:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Give no occasion to stumbling, whether to Jews, or Greeks, or the assembly ofGod.

Context

Having set God’s glory as the rule, Paul applies it to relationships. He calls believers to be careful not to trip up any group they might influence. This leads to his personal example in verse 33, where he describes his own pattern of self-denial for others’ profit and salvation. Thus the chapter closes by uniting vertical devotion with horizontal love in the exercise of Christian liberty.

v.31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

v.32This passage

v.33even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 24:16

    Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.

  • Philippians 1:10

    so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ;

  • 1 Timothy 3:5

    (but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

  • 2 Corinthians 6:3

    giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;

  • 1 Timothy 3:15

    but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

  • Acts 20:28

    Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.

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