Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 8:11

What does 1 Corinthians 8:11 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 8:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 8:11 means

Paul draws out the heavy consequence: your confident use of knowledge may contribute to the spiritual ruin of a weaker believer—the brother for whom Christ died. The value of that person is measured by the cross. If the Lord gave His life for him, how can we risk his harm for the sake of our liberty? “Perish” here underscores the gravity of leading someone into sin; it is no small matter to damage another’s walk. Love considers the cost Christ paid and treats each believer as precious. Knowledge without love forgets the cross; love remembers and willingly limits freedom to protect those Christ purchased.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And so, through your knowledge, you are the cause of destruction to your brother, for whom Christ underwent death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the brother who is infirm shall perish by thy knowledge, because of whom Christ died?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ hath died?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and the weak [one], the brother for whose sake Christ died, will perish through thy knowledge.

Context

Following the example in v. 10, this verse adds theological weight: the brother endangered by our liberty is the very one Christ loved unto death. Verse 12 will press this further, saying that such behavior is a sin against Christ Himself. The momentum is toward a sobering conclusion that reframes the entire issue of idol food not as a debate about rights, but as a matter of sacrificial love, culminating in Paul’s personal pledge in v. 13.

v.10For 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?

v.11This passage

v.12And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 15:1

    Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:33

    even 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.

  • Romans 14:20

    Overthrow not for meat’s sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:13

    Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.

  • Romans 14:15

    For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died.

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