1 Corinthians 10:26

KJV

For the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} the earth {G1093} is the Lord's {G2962}, and {G2532} the fulness {G4138} thereof {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.

Berean Standard Bible

for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

American Standard Version

for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10:26, provides a foundational theological truth that undergirds his practical instructions regarding Christian liberty, particularly concerning the consumption of meat sacrificed to idols. By quoting [Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - God's Ownership of Creation"), Paul asserts God's absolute and universal ownership over all creation, including the earth and everything within it. This declaration serves to liberate believers from superstitious fears about defiled food while simultaneously establishing the context for exercising liberty with love and consideration for others.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [1 Corinthians 10:26](/1_corinthians/10-26 "1 Corinthians 10:26 - The Earth is the Lord's") is situated within Paul's extended discussion (chapters [1 Corinthians 8](/1_corinthians/8 "1 Corinthians 8 - Food Sacrificed to Idols") through [1 Corinthians 10](/1_corinthians/10 "1 Corinthians 10 - Warnings from Israel's History and Christian Liberty")) on Christian freedom and responsibility, specifically concerning the eating of meat that may have been offered to idols. Having warned the Corinthians against idolatry by drawing sobering lessons from Israel's wilderness experiences in [1 Corinthians 10:1-13](/1_corinthians/10-1-13 "1 Corinthians 10:1-13 - Warnings from Israel's History"), Paul shifts to providing practical guidelines for daily life. He emphasizes that while "all things are lawful" for the believer, not all things are "profitable" or "edifying" ([1 Corinthians 10:23](/1_corinthians/10-23 "1 Corinthians 10:23 - All Things are Lawful")). This verse, a direct quotation from [Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's"), provides the theological bedrock for his subsequent advice on how believers should navigate social interactions involving food without compromising their conscience or causing others to stumble ([1 Corinthians 10:27-33](/1_corinthians/10-27-33 "1 Corinthians 10:27-33 - Christian Conduct and Conscience")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling commercial hub, renowned for its diverse population, numerous pagan temples, and vibrant marketplace. It was common practice for meat sold in public markets (the *macellum*) to have first been offered in pagan temples as part of sacrificial rituals. This presented a significant ethical and theological dilemma for early Christians. Could they, with a clear conscience, purchase and consume such meat? Would doing so imply participation in idolatry or validate pagan deities? Furthermore, social invitations to dine in a pagan temple or a non-believer's home, where such meat might be served, were frequent. Paul's teaching addresses these specific socio-religious challenges, providing principles that transcend the immediate context to guide believers in all matters of conscience, liberty, and love within a pluralistic society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates the theme of **God's Universal Sovereignty and Ownership**. By declaring that "the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof," Paul underscores that God, as the Creator, holds absolute dominion over all things. This truth fundamentally negates any claim pagan idols might have over material creation, reinforcing the idea that "an idol is nothing in the world" ([1 Corinthians 8:4](/1_corinthians/8-4 "1 Corinthians 8:4 - Idols are Nothing")). It also establishes the basis for **Christian Liberty**, asserting that believers are free to partake of God's good creation without fear of defilement, as long as it is received with thanksgiving ([1 Timothy 4:4-5](/1_timothy/4-4-5 "1 Timothy 4:4-5 - Everything Created by God is Good")). However, this liberty is always balanced by the theme of **Love and Consideration for Others**, especially those with a weaker conscience, ensuring that one's freedom does not become a stumbling block ([1 Corinthians 8:9](/1_corinthians/8-9 "1 Corinthians 8:9 - Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **earth (Greek, _gē'_):** This term (G1093) refers to the soil, a region, or the entire terrestrial globe. In this context, it signifies the physical world, the land, and all its natural resources. Paul's use of "earth" here emphasizes the material reality of creation, asserting God's ownership over every tangible aspect of the world, including the very food being discussed.
* **Lord's (Greek, _kýrios'_):** This word (G2962) denotes one who is supreme in authority, a controller, or master. It is a respectful title for God. Attributing the earth to the "Lord's" unequivocally declares God's absolute proprietorship and sovereign dominion over all creation. It implies that nothing can be truly alienated from His ownership, regardless of human or pagan dedications.
* **fulness (Greek, _plḗrōma'_):** This term (G4138) signifies repletion or completion; it refers to what fills something, its contents, or its abundance. In the phrase "the fulness thereof," it encompasses everything that fills the earth: its inhabitants, its resources, its produce, its wealth, and its entire abundance. This comprehensive scope underscores that God's ownership is not partial but extends to every single thing contained within creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the earth is the Lord's":** This clause establishes the foundational premise for Paul's argument. It asserts God's ultimate ownership and sovereignty over the entire physical world. This is not merely a statement of creation but of ongoing possession and dominion. It implies that because God made the earth, He also owns it, and therefore, no human or pagan ritual can genuinely transfer ownership or defile what inherently belongs to Him.
* **"and the fulness thereof":** This expands on the preceding clause, clarifying that God's ownership is not limited to the physical planet itself but extends to everything that "fills" or is contained within it. This includes all its resources, its inhabitants, its produce, and its abundance. By asserting God's ownership over "the fulness thereof," Paul directly addresses the issue of food, including meat, affirming that it remains God's provision regardless of any pagan association.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in [1 Corinthians 10:26](/1_corinthians/10-26 "1 Corinthians 10:26 - The Earth is the Lord's") is **Quotation**. Paul directly quotes [Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - God's Ownership of Creation") from the Old Testament, specifically the Septuagint (the Greek translation). This use of authoritative scripture lends immense weight and theological grounding to his argument, demonstrating that his practical advice is rooted in timeless divine truth. Furthermore, the phrase "the earth... and the fulness thereof" employs **Merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent a whole. "Earth" represents the physical planet, while "the fulness thereof" represents everything contained within it. Together, they comprehensively signify *all of creation*, emphasizing God's absolute and all-encompassing ownership. This verse also functions as a **Didactic Maxim**, serving as a concise, authoritative statement of truth from which practical applications are derived, guiding the Corinthian believers in their ethical decision-making.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a profound theological anchor, asserting the absolute sovereignty and universal ownership of God over all creation. It dismantles any notion that human rituals, pagan dedications, or the claims of false gods could diminish God's ultimate proprietorship over the material world. For the believer, this truth provides a liberating foundation: since everything belongs to God, nothing created by Him is inherently evil or defiled. Our freedom to enjoy God's good gifts, including food, is rooted in His creative and sustaining power. This theological reality empowers believers to live without superstitious fear concerning material things, knowing that their value and purity derive from their Creator, not from human or demonic associations.

* [Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")
* [1 Timothy 4:4-5](/1_timothy/4-4-5 "1 Timothy 4:4-5 - Everything Created by God is Good")
* [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created by Him and For Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The truth that "the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof" has profound implications for how we live and interact with the world around us. It calls us to a posture of gratitude and reverence, recognizing that every good gift, every resource, and indeed, every breath we take, ultimately belongs to God. This understanding frees us from the anxiety of scarcity and the grip of materialism, as we realize we are not owners but stewards of God's abundant provision. It challenges us to consider how we use our resources, consume food, and engage with the environment, not as if they are ours to exploit, but as precious trusts from our Creator. Our freedom in Christ, grounded in God's ownership, should lead to responsible choices that honor God and edify others, transforming our daily activities into acts of worship and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's absolute ownership of all creation impact your view of material possessions and consumerism?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be living as if you are the ultimate owner, rather than a steward of God's resources?**
* **How can the truth of this verse free you from anxieties or superstitious fears about the world around you?**
* **Considering the broader context of [1 Corinthians 10](/1_corinthians/10 "1 Corinthians 10 - Warnings from Israel's History and Christian Liberty"), how does God's ownership influence your exercise of Christian liberty in ways that honor Him and build up others?**

### FAQ
**Why does Paul quote [Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's") in this context?**

Answer: Paul quotes [Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's") to provide a foundational theological principle for his practical instructions regarding the eating of meat sacrificed to idols. By asserting God's absolute ownership over "the earth and the fulness thereof," Paul establishes that no pagan ritual or idol can truly defile what inherently belongs to the Creator. This truth liberates believers from the superstitious fear that meat, even if offered to an idol, is somehow inherently evil or contaminated. It underscores that idols are "nothing" ([1 Corinthians 8:4](/1_corinthians/8-4 "1 Corinthians 8:4 - Idols are Nothing")) and therefore have no power to claim or corrupt God's creation. This theological bedrock allows Paul to then pivot to the importance of conscience and love in exercising Christian liberty, as seen in the verses that follow ([1 Corinthians 10:27-33](/1_corinthians/10-27-33 "1 Corinthians 10:27-33 - Christian Conduct and Conscience")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [1 Corinthians 10:26](/1_corinthians/10-26 "1 Corinthians 10:26 - The Earth is the Lord's") directly quotes [Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's") to emphasize God the Father's ultimate ownership, this truth finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals that it is through Christ that all things were created, and for Him they exist and are sustained. [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ is Creator and Sustainer") explicitly states, "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." This means that the "earth and the fulness thereof" are not only the Lord's (God's) but specifically Christ's, as He is the agent of creation and the heir of all things ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - Christ, Heir of All Things")). Therefore, our liberty to enjoy God's creation, including food, is not merely a philosophical truth but a freedom secured and sanctified by Christ's redemptive work. Every good thing we receive is a gift from the Father, mediated through the Son, and enjoyed in the Spirit, leading us to give glory to God in all we do ([1 Corinthians 10:31](/1_corinthians/10-31 "1 Corinthians 10:31 - Do All to the Glory of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 24:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Exodus 19:5

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

Deuteronomy 10:14

Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens [is] the LORD'S thy God, the earth [also], with all that therein [is].

Psalms 50:12

If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof.

Job 41:11

¶ Who hath prevented me, that I should repay [him? whatsoever is] under the whole heaven is mine.

1 Timothy 6:17

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1 Corinthians 10:28

But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: