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1 Corinthians 8

BSB·13 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Nowδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → aboutΠερὶPeri — about, concerning, around, on behalf ofG4012 — Full Word Study → food sacrificed to idolsεἰδωλοθύτωνeidōlothytōn — meat sacrificed to idolsG1494 — Full Word Study →: We knowοἴδαμενoidamen — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → we all haveἔχομενechomen — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → knowledgeγνῶσινgnōsin — Knowledge, understanding, recognitionG1108 — Full Word Study →. Knowledgeγνῶσιςgnōsis — Knowledge, understanding, recognitionG1108 — Full Word Study → puffs upφυσιοῖphysioi — to puff up, inflate with prideG5448 — Full Word Study →, butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → loveἀγάπηagapē — Self-giving love; covenant affectionG26 — Full Word Study → builds upοἰκοδομεῖoikodomei — to build up, construct, edifyG3618 — Full Word Study →. 2The one whoτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → thinksδοκεῖdokei — to seem, appear, or think; to suppose or judgeG1380 — Full Word Study → he knowsἐγνωκέναιegnōkenai — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study → somethingτιti — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → does not yet knowἔγνωegnō — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study → asκαθὼςkathōs — just as; in the manner that; according toG2531 — Full Word Study → he oughtδεῖdei — it is necessary, must, oughtG1163 — Full Word Study → to knowγνῶναιgnōnai — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study →. 3Butδέde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → the one whoτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → lovesἀγαπᾷagapa — to love deeply; to cherish with affectionG25 — Full Word Study → GodΘεόνTheon — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → is knownἔγνωσταιegnōstai — To know, understand, or perceiveG1097 — Full Word Study → byὑπ’hyp’ — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → God. 4Soοὖνoun — therefore, then, so, thusG3767 — Full Word Study → aboutΠερὶPeri — about, concerning, around, on behalf ofG4012 — Full Word Study → eatingβρώσεωςbrōseōs — eating; food; nourishmentG1035 — Full Word Study → food sacrificed to idolsεἰδωλοθύτωνeidōlothytōn — meat sacrificed to idolsG1494 — Full Word Study →: We knowοἴδαμενoidamen — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → an idolεἴδωλονeidōlon — idol; object of false worshipG1497 — Full Word Study → is nothinἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study →g at all in the world, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → there is no GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → butεἰei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → oneεἷςheis — one, a single unit, unifiedG1520 — Full Word Study →. 5Forγὰρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → evenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → ifεἴπερeiper — if indeed, since, seeing thatG1512 — Full Word Study → there areεἰσὶνeisin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → so-calledλεγόμενοιlegomenoi — to say, speak, or tellG3004 — Full Word Study → godsθεοὶtheoi — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, whetherεἴτεeite — whether; if; or (disjunctive conjunction)G1535 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → heavenοὐρανῷouranō — Heaven; the sky; God's dwelling placeG3772 — Full Word Study → orεἴτεeite — whether; if; or (disjunctive conjunction)G1535 — Full Word Study → onἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → earthγῆςgēs — earth, land, ground, worldG1093 — Full Word Study → (asὥσπερhōsper — just as, even as, in the same way asG5618 — Full Word Study → there areεἰσὶνeisin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → many so-called godsθεοὶtheoi — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → lordsκύριοιkyrioi — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study →), 6yetἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → for usἡμῖνhēmin — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → there is but one GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →, theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → FatherΠατήρPatēr — father; male parent; ancestorG3962 — Full Word Study →, fromἐξex — out from, out of, from withinG1537 — Full Word Study → whomοὗhou — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → allπάνταpanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → things came andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → forεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → whom we exist. And there is but oneεἷςheis — one, a single unit, unifiedG1520 — Full Word Study → LordΚύριοςKyrios — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study →, JesusἸησοῦςIēsous — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστόςChristos — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →, throughδι’di’ — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → whomοὗhou — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → allπάνταpanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → things came andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → throughδι’di’ — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → whom we exist. 7ButἈλλ’All’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → notοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → everyoneπᾶσινpasin — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → has thishē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → knowledgeγνῶσιςgnōsis — Knowledge, understanding, recognitionG1108 — Full Word Study →. Someτινὲςtines — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → people are still so accustomedσυνηθείᾳsynētheia — customary practice or habitG4914 — Full Word Study → to idolsεἰδώλουeidōlou — idol; object of false worshipG1497 — Full Word Study → that they eat such food as ifὡςhōs — as, like, when, in the manner thatG5613 — Full Word Study → it were sacrificed to an idolεἰδωλόθυτονeidōlothyton — meat sacrificed to idolsG1494 — Full Word Study →. Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → since their conscienceσυνείδησιςsyneidēsis — Conscience; inner moral awarenessG4893 — Full Word Study → isοὖσαousa — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → weakἀσθενὴςasthenēs — Weak, feeble, lacking strength or powerG772 — Full Word Study →, it is defiledμολύνεταιmolynetai — to defile or soil; to contaminateG3435 — Full Word Study →. 8Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → foodβρῶμαbrōma — Food; solid nourishment; sustenanceG1033 — Full Word Study → does not bring us closerπαραστήσειparastēsei — to stand beside; to present or offerG3936 — Full Word Study → toτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → GodΘεῷTheō — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →: We are no worseὑστερούμεθαhysteroumetha — to lack, fall short, come behindG5302 — Full Word Study → ifἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → we do not eatφάγωμενphagōmen — To eat food or consumeG5315 — Full Word Study →, and no‹μὴ›mē — Not; negation; lestG3361 — Full Word Study → better ifἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → we doφάγωμενphagōmen — To eat food or consumeG5315 — Full Word Study →. 9Be carefulΒλέπετεBlepete — to see, look at, perceive, bewareG991 — Full Word Study →, howeverδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study →, that yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → freedomἐξουσίαexousia — authority, power, or right to actG1849 — Full Word Study → does not becomeγένηταιgenētai — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study → a stumbling blockπρόσκομμαproskomma — Stumbling block; obstacle to faithG4348 — Full Word Study → to theτοῖςtois — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → weakἀσθενέσινasthenesin — Weak, feeble, lacking strength or powerG772 — Full Word Study →. 10Forγάρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → ifἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → someoneτιςtis — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study → with a weakἀσθενοῦςasthenous — Weak, feeble, lacking strength or powerG772 — Full Word Study → conscienceσυνείδησιςsyneidēsis — Conscience; inner moral awarenessG4893 — Full Word Study → seesἴδῃidē — To see, perceive, or observe with the eyes or mindG3708 — Full Word Study → youσὲse — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → whoτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → are well informedγνῶσινgnōsin — Knowledge, understanding, recognitionG1108 — Full Word Study → eatingκατακείμενονkatakeimenon — to recline at table, to lie downG2621 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → an idol’s templeεἰδωλείῳeidōleiō — idol's temple or shrineG1493 — Full Word Study →, will he not beὄντοςontos — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → encouragedοἰκοδομηθήσεταιoikodomēthēsetai — to build up, construct, edifyG3618 — Full Word Study → toεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → eatἐσθίεινesthiein — to eat; to consume foodG2068 — Full Word Study → food sacrificed to idolsεἰδωλόθυταeidōlothyta — meat sacrificed to idolsG1494 — Full Word Study →? 11So this weakἀσθενῶνasthenōn — to be weak, to lack strength, to be sickG770 — Full Word Study → brotherἀδελφὸςadelphos — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →, forδι’di’ — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → whomὃνhon — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστὸςChristos — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study → diedἀπέθανενapethanen — to die, to perish, to be put to deathG599 — Full Word Study →, is destroyedἀπόλλυταιapollytai — to destroy, ruin, or cause to perishG622 — Full Word Study → byἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → yourσῇsē — Your; belonging to you (singular)G4674 — Full Word Study → knowledgeγνώσειgnōsei — Knowledge, understanding, recognitionG1108 — Full Word Study →. 12By sinningἁμαρτάνοντεςhamartanontes — to sin; to miss the mark; to transgressG264 — Full Word Study → againstεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → your brothersἀδελφοὺςadelphous — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study → in this wayοὕτωςhoutōs — in this manner; thus; soG3779 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → woundingτύπτοντεςtyptontes — to strike, beat, or hitG5180 — Full Word Study → theirαὐτῶνautōn — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → weakἀσθενοῦσανasthenousan — to be weak, to lack strength, to be sickG770 — Full Word Study → conscienceσυνείδησινsyneidēsin — Conscience; inner moral awarenessG4893 — Full Word Study →, you sinἁμαρτάνετεhamartanete — to sin; to miss the mark; to transgressG264 — Full Word Study → againstεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστὸνChriston — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →. 13ThereforeΔιόπερDioper — therefore; for this reasonG1355 — Full Word Study →, ifεἰei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → what I eat causesσκανδαλίζειskandalizei — to cause to stumble or fall awayG4624 — Full Word Study → myμουmou — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → brother to stumble, I will never eatφάγωphagō — To eat food or consumeG5315 — Full Word Study → meatκρέαkrea — Meat; flesh as foodG2907 — Full Word Study → again, so thatἵναhina — in order that; so that; to the intent thatG2443 — Full Word Study → I will not causeσκανδαλίσωskandalisō — to cause to stumble or fall awayG4624 — Full Word Study → him to stumble.
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Chapter Commentary — 1 Corinthians 8
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul addresses a pressing question in the Corinthian church: whether believers may eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols. While Paul affirms Christian freedom and the reality that idols are nothing, he pivots to a higher principle—love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. This chapter teaches that knowledge without love leads to pride and harm, but love exercised through voluntary restraint builds up the body of Christ. The passage challenges us to balance doctrinal truth with pastoral sensitivity.

Verses 1-3: Knowledge Must Be Tempered by Love

Paul begins by acknowledging that the Corinthians possess theological knowledge about idols. However, he immediately qualifies this with a vital correction: "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." The Greek word for charity here is agape—sacrificial, unconditional love. Knowledge alone can make us spiritually proud and self-assured, but love builds others up and strengthens the entire community. In verse 2, Paul humbles intellectual pride further: anyone who thinks they have complete knowledge actually demonstrates they do not yet know as they ought. True spiritual maturity is not measured by information but by relationship with God. Verse 3 drives this home: what matters ultimately is not our knowledge, but whether we are loved and known by God Himself. This establishes the foundational principle for the entire chapter.

Verses 4-6: The Doctrinal Truth About Idols

Paul now states the theological fact clearly: idols are nothing in the world. There is only one true God. He briefly acknowledges that many people call various beings "gods" in heaven and earth, but for Christians, there is absolute monotheism—one God the Father, source of all things, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things exist. This is bedrock Christian doctrine. Idols have no real power; they are empty religious objects. Paul is not denying that demons may operate behind idolatrous worship, but he is affirming that no idol possesses inherent divine reality or authority. Theologically, eating meat sacrificed to an idol does not spiritually contaminate food or compromise the eater's relationship with God.

Verses 7-9: The Conscience of the Weak Brother

Here Paul introduces the crucial complication: not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some believers, particularly new converts from paganism, have weak consciences regarding idol meat. When they eat such meat, their conscience is defiled because they still mentally associate it with idolatry and sin. Paul makes clear in verse 8 that meat itself is morally neutral—eating or not eating it does not determine our standing with God. But then comes the decisive turn in verse 9: we must take heed lest our liberty become a stumbling block to the weak. Christian freedom is real, but it is not absolute. It must be voluntarily limited by love for our brothers.

Verses 10-13: Love Constrains Our Liberty

Paul paints a sobering picture: if a knowledgeable Christian eats idol meat in a pagan temple where the weak brother sees him, that weak believer may be emboldened to eat as well—against his own conscience. The consequence is spiritual harm to someone for whom Christ died. Paul emphasizes in verse 12 that sinning against a brother's weak conscience is ultimately sin against Christ Himself. Then, in a stunning personal example, Paul declares that he will never eat meat again if it causes his brother to stumble. This is not legalism; it is love. Christian maturity means willingly sacrificing our personal freedom for the spiritual welfare of others.

Application for Today

In our modern context, the specific issue of idol meat is distant, but the principle is vital. We must ask: where are we exercising freedom in ways that damage weaker believers? Whether in entertainment, eating habits, financial decisions, or church participation, mature Christians voluntarily limit their liberty out of love. True spiritual growth is not proudly defending our rights but humbly serving others' spiritual growth. As Paul models, we become most Christ-like when we sacrifice personal freedom for communal health.

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