1 Corinthians 8:13
What does 1 Corinthians 8:13 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 8:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 8:13 means
Paul ends with a concrete, sacrificial resolve: if any food causes a brother to stumble, he would rather abstain forever than injure that soul. He is not creating a new law about meat; he is embodying the law of love. Freedom is best displayed not by insisting on one’s rights, but by laying them down when they threaten another’s good. This is Christlike in spirit, echoing the self-giving pattern of the Lord who denied Himself for our salvation. Such a posture safeguards unity, nurtures the weak, and keeps personal liberty in its proper place—servant to love.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this reason, if food is a cause of trouble to my brother, I will give up taking meat for ever, so that I may not be a cause of trouble to my brother.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862wherefore, if victuals cause my brother to stumble, I may eat no flesh--to the age--that my brother I may not cause to stumble.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Wherefore if meat be a fall-trap to my brother, I will eat no flesh for ever, that I may not be a fall-trap to my brother.
Context
This final verse concludes the chapter’s argument by giving Paul’s personal example. After establishing the theological freedom from idols (vv. 4–6) and the responsibility to the weak (vv. 7–12), he shows how love governs in practice—choose abstinence rather than risk a brother’s fall. The theme will continue into the next discussion of rights and self-denial, but here the takeaway is clear: knowledge must build up. Liberty is real, yet love must lead, for the sake of Christ and His people.
v.12And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.
v.13This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19
For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.
- 2 Corinthians 6:3
giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;
- 1 Corinthians 13:5
doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil;
- 1 Corinthians 9:12
If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.
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