1 Corinthians 8:1
What does 1 Corinthians 8:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 8:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 8:1 means
Paul opens the topic of food sacrificed to idols by challenging the proud use of “knowledge.” The Corinthians boasted that they understood idols are nothing, and so felt free to eat. Paul admits knowledge matters, but he warns it easily inflates the ego. When knowledge is detached from love, it becomes self-serving and divisive. Love, by contrast, aims at building others up in faith. The measure of maturity is not how much we know but how well our knowledge serves the good of our neighbor. Christian ethics therefore begin with love that edifies, not with rights that gratify. Liberty must be guided by charity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now about things offered to images: we all seem to ourselves to have knowledge. Knowledge gives pride, but love gives true strength.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And concerning the things sacrificed to idols, we have known that we all have knowledge: knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now concerning those things that are sacrificed to idols: we know we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up: but charity edifieth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know, (for we all have knowledge: knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
Context
This verse introduces a new question the Corinthians had raised about idol-sacrificed food. Paul begins by testing the spirit in which the debate is carried on—are they using knowledge to serve others or to exalt themselves? He sets the controlling principle for the entire chapter: love over pride. Verses 2–3 will deepen this by redefining true knowledge in relationship to God, and then verses 4–6 will supply the core theological truth behind eating meat offered to idols. After that, verses 7–13 will apply love to protect weaker consciences.
v.1This passage
v.2If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 15:14
And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
- Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in;
- Romans 14:3
Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
- Acts 21:25
But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.
- 1 Corinthians 15:34
Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame.
- Colossians 2:18
Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
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