Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 8:10

What does 1 Corinthians 8:10 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 8:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 8:10 means

Paul pictures a likely scene in Corinth: a knowledgeable Christian reclining to eat in an idol’s temple dining hall. A weaker believer sees this and, emboldened by the example, imitates it while still believing it is idolatrous. The act that is neutral in itself becomes, for the weak, a step back into false worship. This shows how context and example matter. Public participation in settings closely tied to idolatry can send the wrong message and lure tender consciences into sin. Wisdom may therefore choose abstinence in certain venues, not from fear of idols, but from love for those who could be misled by what they observe.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For if a man sees you, who have knowledge, taking food as a guest in the house of an image, will it not give him, if he is feeble, the idea that he may take food offered to images?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for if any one may see thee that hast knowledge in an idol's temple reclining at meat--shall not his conscience--he being infirm--be emboldened to eat the things sacrificed to idols,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For if a man see him that hath knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not his conscience, being weak, be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to idols?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For if any one see thee, who hast knowledge, sitting at table in an idol-house, shall not his conscience, he being weak, be emboldened to eat the things sacrificed to the idol?

Context

This verse gives concrete shape to the warning of v. 9. The problem is not merely private eating of meat, but conspicuous participation in places associated with idols. Verse 11 will heighten the seriousness by saying such emboldening can lead to the weak person’s ruin—the very one for whom Christ died. Verse 12 will declare that wounding a weak conscience is a sin against Christ, setting up Paul’s decisive commitment in v. 13 to renounce any food that causes stumbling.

v.9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.

v.10This passage

v.11For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 8:1

    Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:7

    Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

  • Romans 14:14

    I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

  • Amos 2:8

    and they lay themselves down beside every altar upon clothes taken in pledge; and in the house of their God they drink the wine of such as have been fined.

  • Judges 9:27

    And they went out into the field, and gathered their vineyards, and trodthe grapes, and held festival, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.

  • Romans 14:23

    But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

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