1 Corinthians 8:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Now about food sacrificed to idols: we know that, as you say, “We all have knowledge.” Yes, that is so, but “knowledge” puffs a person up with pride; whereas love builds up.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now^{G1161} as touching^{G4012} things offered unto idols^{G1494}, we know^{G1492} that^{G3754} we all^{G3956} have^{G2192} knowledge^{G1108}. Knowledge^{G1108} puffeth up^{G5448}, but^{G1161} charity^{G26} edifieth^{G3618}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 1 Corinthians 8:1

1 Corinthians 8:1 addresses a specific issue that was causing tension within the early Christian community at Corinth—the appropriateness of eating food that had been sacrificed to idols. In the historical context of the first century, it was common for meat sold in the marketplace to have been previously offered to pagan deities. Some Corinthian Christians, confident in their knowledge that idols were nothing and that there was only one true God, felt it was acceptable to eat such meat. Paul acknowledges that this knowledge is accurate, but he warns against the attitude it might foster.

The verse highlights two key themes: the importance of knowledge and the potential dangers of pride that can come with it. Paul recognizes that knowledge in itself is not negative; Christians do indeed know that idols are not real gods and that food is a neutral substance. However, he cautions that knowledge can lead to arrogance or a sense of superiority ("puffeth up"), which is spiritually harmful. In contrast, Paul elevates the virtue of "charity," or love, which in the Greek is "agape," a selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love. This kind of love builds up the community ("edifieth"), fostering unity and caring for the spiritual well-being of others, especially those who might be led astray by the actions of more knowledgeable Christians.

In essence, 1 Corinthians 8:1 is a call to balance knowledge with love. It encourages believers to consider the impact of their actions on others, particularly on those with weaker consciences, and to prioritize the good of the community over individual freedoms. This verse sets the stage for Paul's further discussion on the subject throughout chapter 8 and into chapter 9, where he elaborates on the principle of love as the guiding force in Christian conduct.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G4012
   There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: περί
   Transliteration: perí
   Pronunciation: per-ee'
   Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
   
3. Strong's Number: G1494
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰδωλόθυτον
   Transliteration: eidōlóthyton
   Pronunciation: i-do-loth'-oo-ton
   Description: neuter of a compound of εἴδωλον and a presumed derivative of θύω; an image-sacrifice, i.e. part of an idolatrous offering:--(meat, thing that is) offered (in sacrifice, sacrificed) to (unto) idols.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1492
   There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδω
   Transliteration: eídō
   Pronunciation: i'-do
   Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3956
   There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πᾶς
   Transliteration: pâs
   Pronunciation: pas
   Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2192
   There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔχω
   Transliteration: échō
   Pronunciation: skheh'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1108
   There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γνῶσις
   Transliteration: gnōsis
   Pronunciation: gno'-sis
   Description: from γινώσκω; knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge:--knowledge, science.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5448
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φυσιόω
   Transliteration: physióō
   Pronunciation: foo-see-o'-o
   Description: from φύσις in the primary sense of blowing; to inflate, i.e. (figuratively) make proud (haughty):--puff up.
   
10. Strong's Number: G26
    There are 727 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀγάπη
    Transliteration: agápē
    Pronunciation: ag-ah'-pay
    Description: from ἀγαπάω; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3618
    There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οἰκοδομέω
    Transliteration: oikodoméō
    Pronunciation: oy-kod-om-eh'-o
    Description: from the same as οἰκοδομή; to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm:--(be in) build(-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden.