Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 8:9

What does 1 Corinthians 8:9 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 8:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 8:9 means

Liberty is real, but it is not absolute. Paul commands vigilance lest our freedom become a stumbling block—an obstacle that leads a weaker believer into sin against conscience. The danger is subtle: we might assume that because an action is permissible, it is always profitable, regardless of who is watching. Love says otherwise. Freedom must be exercised with foresight and restraint when others could be harmed. Christian ethics weigh not only the act itself but also its impact on impressionable hearts. To guard our brother or sister from falling is to honor Christ, who entrusted us with each other’s well-being within His body.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But take care that this power of yours does not give cause for trouble to the feeble.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but see, lest this privilege of yours may become a stumbling-block to the infirm,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But take heed lest perhaps this your liberty become a stumblingblock to the weak.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But see lest anywise this your right [to eat] itself be a stumbling-block to the weak.

Context

On the heels of affirming food’s moral neutrality (v. 8), Paul now warns the knowledgeable not to weaponize freedom. Verse 10 will illustrate how exercising liberty in a public, idolatrous setting can embolden a weak believer to violate conscience. Verses 11–12 will then describe the grave consequences—spiritual ruin and sinning against Christ Himself. The section builds urgency, preparing for Paul’s personal resolution in v. 13 to abstain rather than cause stumbling.

v.8But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.

v.9This passage

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?

Cross references

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

  • Ezekiel 14:3

    Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?

  • Matthew 18:10

    See that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.

  • 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.

  • Romans 15:1

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

  • Romans 14:13

    Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.

  • Revelation 2:14

    But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.

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