1 Corinthians 10:28

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} if {G1437} any man {G5100} say {G2036} unto you {G5213}, This {G5124} is {G2076} offered in sacrifice unto idols {G1494}, eat {G2068} not {G3361} for {G1223} his sake {G1565} that shewed it {G3377}, and {G2532} for conscience sake {G4893}: for {G1063} the earth {G1093} is the Lord's {G2962}, and {G2532} the fulness {G4138} thereof {G846}:

Complete Jewish Bible

But if someone says to you, “This meat was offered as a sacrifice,” then don’t eat it, out of consideration for the person who pointed it out and also for conscience’s sake —

Berean Standard Bible

But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—

American Standard Version

But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience’ sake:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 10:28, the Apostle Paul provides a specific, practical directive concerning the consumption of meat that has been explicitly identified as offered to idols. While affirming the believer's liberty and God's sovereignty over all creation, Paul instructs believers to abstain from eating such meat if its idolatrous origin is pointed out, not because the meat itself is inherently defiled, but out of loving consideration for the conscience of the person who revealed its nature. This command underscores the principle that Christian freedom should always be exercised within the bounds of love and a desire to avoid causing others to stumble.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger discourse in Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, specifically from [chapter 8](/1_corinthians/8 "1 Corinthians 8 - Food Offered to Idols") through [chapter 10](/1_corinthians/10 "1 Corinthians 10 - Warnings from Israel's History and Christian Liberty"), where he addresses the complex issue of eating food sacrificed to idols. Paul begins by asserting that idols are "nothing" ([1 Corinthians 8:4](/1_corinthians/8-4 "1 Corinthians 8:4 - Idols are Nothing")) and that believers, possessing knowledge, are free to eat such food. However, he immediately qualifies this liberty by prioritizing the conscience of "weaker" believers, lest their freedom become a stumbling block ([1 Corinthians 8:9](/1_corinthians/8-9 "1 Corinthians 8:9 - Do Not Cause Others to Stumble")). In [1 Corinthians 9](/1_corinthians/9 "1 Corinthians 9 - Paul's Example of Self-Denial"), Paul illustrates this principle through his own example of relinquishing rights for the sake of the gospel. [Chapter 10](/1_corinthians/10 "1 Corinthians 10 - Warnings and Liberty") continues this theme, warning against idolatry by drawing lessons from Israel's history ([1 Corinthians 10:1-13](/1_corinthians/10-1-13 "1 Corinthians 10:1-13 - Warnings from Israel's History")) and then returning to the issue of food. Paul permits eating meat bought in the market or served in a non-believer's home without inquiry, based on God's ownership of all creation ([1 Corinthians 10:25-27](/1_corinthians/10-25-27 "1 Corinthians 10:25-27 - Eating Without Question")). [Verse 28](/1_corinthians/10-28 "1 Corinthians 10:28 - Specific Instruction on Idolatrous Food") then introduces a crucial exception, providing a specific scenario where abstinence becomes necessary for the sake of another's conscience.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Corinth was a bustling port city, a melting pot of cultures and religions, with numerous pagan temples and active idol worship. Meat was often sacrificed to idols before being sold in the public markets or consumed in temple feasts or private homes. For early Christians, many of whom were converts from paganism, navigating these social and culinary practices posed significant ethical dilemmas. Eating meat sacrificed to idols could be perceived by some as participating in idolatry, even if the believer understood that the idol itself was powerless. The issue was not merely dietary but deeply theological and social, touching on the nature of Christian liberty, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the imperative to maintain a clear witness to both fellow believers and the pagan world. Paul's instructions were designed to guide the Corinthian church through these complex situations, balancing theological truth with practical wisdom and pastoral sensitivity.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in this section of 1 Corinthians, to which [verse 28](/1_corinthians/10-28 "1 Corinthians 10:28 - Christian Liberty and Conscience") significantly contributes, is **Christian Liberty and Responsibility**. While believers are indeed free in Christ from the bondage of the law and pagan superstitions, this freedom is not absolute but is to be exercised responsibly, always considering its impact on others. Paul consistently subordinates individual liberty to the higher principle of **Love and Edification**, emphasizing that believers should seek to "please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved" ([1 Corinthians 10:33](/1_corinthians/10-33 "1 Corinthians 10:33 - Seeking the Profit of Many")). The concept of **Conscience** is central, highlighting the importance of respecting both one's own moral faculty and that of others, particularly "weaker" believers who might struggle with certain practices. Finally, the verse reiterates the foundational theological truth of **God's Universal Sovereignty and Ownership** over all creation, as stated in [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's"), which undergirds the believer's freedom but also informs the wise and loving use of that freedom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **eidōlóthyton (Greek, _eidōlóthyton'_):** This compound word, meaning "image-sacrifice" or "thing offered in sacrifice to idols," is crucial to understanding the specific nature of the food in question. It refers to meat that has been explicitly consecrated or dedicated to a pagan deity. The term highlights the pagan ritualistic context from which the meat originates, making it distinct from ordinary meat. Paul's instruction hinges on this explicit identification, transforming a general liberty into a specific obligation to abstain for the sake of another.
* **syneídēsis (Greek, _syneídēsis'_):** Translated as "conscience," this term denotes the inner moral faculty that judges one's actions, leading to either approval or condemnation. In this context, Paul is primarily concerned with the conscience of "his sake that shewed it," whether that be a weaker Christian who might be tempted to violate their own convictions by seeing a stronger believer eat, or an unbeliever who might misinterpret the Christian's action as an endorsement of idolatry. The emphasis is on protecting the moral integrity and spiritual well-being of the other person.
* **kýrios (Greek, _kýrios'_):** Meaning "Lord" or "Master," this word refers to God's supreme authority and ownership. The phrase "the earth is the Lord's" (quoted from [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")) serves as the theological bedrock for Christian liberty regarding food, affirming that all creation belongs to God and is therefore inherently clean. However, in this specific verse, this foundational truth is presented as a reason *why* one can afford to abstain—because God's ownership means no food is inherently defiled, thus making abstinence a matter of love, not fear of defilement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols,"**: This clause sets the specific condition for Paul's instruction. It is not about the general knowledge that meat might have been sacrificed to idols, but about a direct, explicit declaration from someone present that the food in question *is* "eidōlóthyton." This direct statement shifts the ethical calculus, moving the situation from an indifferent matter to one requiring careful consideration for the other person.
* **"eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake:"**: This is the core command. The abstinence is not for the believer's own conscience (as the meat itself is not defiling to the one who knows idols are nothing), but "for his sake that shewed it" (the one who pointed out the meat's origin) and "for conscience sake" (meaning the conscience of that person, or any observer who might be led astray). This highlights the principle of self-sacrificial love and the avoidance of causing a "stumblingblock" for others, whether they are weak believers or unbelievers.
* **"for the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:"**: This concluding phrase, a direct quote from [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's"), provides the theological justification for the believer's underlying freedom. It reaffirms God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation, implying that no food is inherently defiled by pagan rituals because all things belong to the Creator. This truth empowers the believer to choose abstinence not out of fear of defilement, but out of a position of secure liberty, making the act of self-denial a conscious, loving choice rather than a legalistic necessity.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in [1 Corinthians 10:28](/1_corinthians/10-28 "1 Corinthians 10:28 - Christian Liberty and Conscience"). Primarily, it functions as **Apostolic Instruction** or **Didacticism**, where Paul, as an apostle, provides direct, practical guidance to the Corinthian church on a specific ethical dilemma. The verse also features **Ethical Casuistry**, presenting a particular case ("if any man say unto you...") to illustrate a broader moral principle—that Christian liberty, while real, is always to be exercised with love and consideration for the conscience of others. Finally, the verse contains a direct **Quotation/Allusion** to [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's"), "for the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." This quotation serves as a theological grounding, reminding the Corinthians of God's universal sovereignty, which underpins their freedom in Christ even as they are called to limit that freedom for the sake of others.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The instruction in [1 Corinthians 10:28](/1_corinthians/10-28 "1 Corinthians 10:28 - Liberty and Conscience") beautifully encapsulates the tension and balance between Christian liberty and Christian love. Theologically, it affirms God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, rendering any human attempt to "defile" food through idolatry ultimately meaningless in the eyes of God for the believer who understands this truth. However, it simultaneously elevates the principle of agape love, demonstrating that true freedom in Christ is not merely the right to do what one pleases, but the power to choose what is most beneficial for the spiritual well-being of others. This verse teaches that our actions, even in seemingly indifferent matters, carry spiritual weight and can either build up or tear down the faith of those around us, thus calling believers to a higher standard of selfless consideration.

* [Romans 14:13](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble")
* [1 Corinthians 8:9](/1_corinthians/8-9 "1 Corinthians 8:9 - Liberty as a Stumbling Block")
* [Philippians 2:4](/philippians/2-4 "Philippians 2:4 - Look Out for the Interests of Others")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 10:28](/1_corinthians/10-28 "1 Corinthians 10:28 - Practical Wisdom for Believers") offers profoundly relevant wisdom for believers today, extending far beyond the specific issue of food offered to idols. It challenges us to critically examine how we exercise our Christian liberties in a world that often misunderstands or misinterprets our actions. The core principle is that our freedom in Christ, while precious and foundational, is not an end in itself but a means to serve and build up others. This means cultivating a sensitive and discerning heart, one that is quick to perceive how our choices—in entertainment, social media, lifestyle, or even theological discussions—might impact the conscience of a weaker brother or sister, or how they might be perceived by an unbelieving world. True spiritual maturity involves not just knowing our rights, but willingly laying them down when love demands it, always prioritizing the spiritual growth and witness of the Body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be exercising my Christian liberty in a way that could potentially cause a "weaker" brother or sister to stumble, or misrepresent Christ to an unbeliever?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to the consciences and perceptions of others, even when I know my own actions are permissible?**
* **What does it mean practically to "eat not for his sake" in my contemporary context, and how can I apply this principle of self-denial for the sake of love?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean that all food offered to idols is inherently evil or defiled?**

Answer: No, [1 Corinthians 10:28](/1_corinthians/10-28 "1 Corinthians 10:28 - Food and Conscience") does not teach that food offered to idols is inherently evil or defiled. In fact, Paul explicitly states in [1 Corinthians 8:4](/1_corinthians/8-4 "1 Corinthians 8:4 - Idols are Nothing") that "an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one." The concluding phrase of [1 Corinthians 10:28](/1_corinthians/10-28 "1 Corinthians 10:28 - The Earth is the Lord's"), "for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof," further reinforces God's ultimate ownership and sovereignty over all creation, meaning no food can be truly defiled by a pagan ritual. The instruction to abstain is not due to the meat's inherent defilement, but solely "for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake"—meaning for the sake of the other person's conscience, to avoid causing them to stumble or misinterpret the Christian's actions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [1 Corinthians 10:28](/1_corinthians/10-28 "1 Corinthians 10:28 - Christian Liberty and Conscience") primarily offers a practical ethical directive, its underlying principle finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ, though possessing all divine prerogatives and liberties, willingly "emptied himself, taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")), laying aside His divine rights and privileges for the sake of humanity. He did not insist on His own rights or comfort but consistently prioritized the spiritual well-being and salvation of others, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). His entire life was an act of profound self-denial and love, demonstrating that true freedom is found not in asserting one's rights, but in sacrificially serving others. Just as Paul instructs believers to consider the conscience of others and abstain for love's sake, so Christ, "who knew no sin, was made to be sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Substitute")), taking upon Himself the ultimate "stumbling block" of sin so that we might be reconciled to God. Therefore, the call to limit our liberty for the sake of another's conscience is a direct reflection of the selfless, condescending love of Christ, who perfectly exemplified the principle of seeking the good of others above His own.

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

1 Corinthians 8:10

For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

1 Corinthians 8:13

Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

1 Corinthians 8:7

¶ Howbeit [there is] not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat [it] as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

1 Corinthians 10:26

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

Romans 14:15

But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

Matthew 6:31

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Matthew 6:32

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.