1 Corinthians 8:10

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} if {G1437} any man {G5100} see {G1492} thee {G4571} which {G3588} hast {G2192} knowledge {G1108} sit at meat {G2621} in {G1722} the idol's temple {G1493}, shall {G3618} not {G3780} the conscience {G4893} of him {G846} which is {G5607} weak {G772} be emboldened {G3618}{G1519} to eat {G2068} those things which are offered to idols {G1494};

Complete Jewish Bible

You have this “knowledge”; but suppose someone with a weak conscience sees you sitting, eating a meal in the temple of an idol. Won’t he be built up wrongly to eat this food which has been sacrificed to idols?

Berean Standard Bible

For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols?

American Standard Version

For 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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 8:10 addresses the delicate balance between Christian liberty and loving consideration for others, specifically concerning the practice of eating meat sacrificed to idols. Paul warns that a believer who possesses "knowledge" regarding the non-existence of idols, and thus feels free to eat in an idol's temple, risks causing a "weaker" brother or sister, whose conscience is not as robust, to stumble into sin by emboldening them to act against their own convictions regarding such food. This verse underscores the principle that personal freedom should always be subordinated to the spiritual well-being of the community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Paul's broader discussion in [1 Corinthians 8](/1_corinthians/8 "1 Corinthians 8 - Food Sacrificed to Idols"), which begins with the assertion that "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" ([1 Corinthians 8:1](/1_corinthians/8-1 "1 Corinthians 8:1 - Love Builds Up")). Paul establishes that while believers know "an idol is nothing in the world" and "there is no God but one" ([1 Corinthians 8:4](/1_corinthians/8-4 "1 Corinthians 8:4 - An Idol is Nothing")), not everyone possesses this same robust understanding or conviction. He then introduces the concept of the "weak" brother whose conscience is defiled by eating idol-meat, leading to a warning against causing a brother to stumble ([1 Corinthians 8:9](/1_corinthians/8-9 "1 Corinthians 8:9 - Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble")). Verse 10 provides a specific, vivid scenario illustrating how a "strong" believer's actions can directly lead to the "weak" brother's spiritual detriment, setting the stage for Paul's concluding exhortation to forgo personal rights for the sake of another's salvation ([1 Corinthians 8:13](/1_corinthians/8-13 "1 Corinthians 8:13 - Paul's Example of Self-Denial")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a major Roman provincial capital, a bustling port city renowned for its wealth, diverse population, and numerous pagan temples dedicated to deities such as Aphrodite, Apollo, and Poseidon. Sacrificial practices were integral to Corinthian life; animals were offered in temples, and the remaining meat was often sold in the public markets (the *macellum*) or consumed in communal feasts held within the temple precincts. For new converts, many of whom had recently emerged from a lifetime of idolatry, the distinction between participating in a pagan ritual and merely eating food was blurred. Their former lives deeply ingrained the idea that eating such meat, especially in a temple, was an act of worship or communion with a pagan deity. This made the issue of "idol meat" not merely a dietary one, but a profound theological and ethical challenge for the nascent Christian community, testing their understanding of freedom in Christ versus their responsibility to one another.
* **Key Themes:** [First Corinthians 8](/1_corinthians/8 "1 Corinthians 8 - Christian Liberty and Love") is saturated with themes critical to Christian community and ethics. The primary tension explored is that between **Christian Liberty** and **Love**. While the "strong" believer possesses the knowledge that "an idol is nothing" ([1 Corinthians 8:4](/1_corinthians/8-4 "1 Corinthians 8:4 - There is No God But One")), their liberty to act on this knowledge must be tempered by **Agape Love** for their fellow believers. This leads to the theme of **Protecting the Conscience of the Weak**. Paul emphasizes that the actions of the "strong" can inadvertently "embolden" (or "build up" in a negative sense) the "weak" to violate their own conscience, thereby causing them to sin and potentially destroying them ([1 Corinthians 8:11](/1_corinthians/8-11 "1 Corinthians 8:11 - Destroying the Weak Brother")). Consequently, the chapter highlights the importance of **Avoiding Stumbling Blocks**, asserting that what is permissible for one may become a snare for another, demanding self-restraint and sacrifice for the sake of unity and spiritual well-being within the body of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knowledge (Greek, _gnōsis'_):** From G1108, this term refers to "knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge." In this context, it signifies the intellectual understanding or spiritual insight that an idol is merely a piece of wood or stone and holds no divine power, and that there is only one true God. This knowledge grants the "strong" believer a sense of freedom concerning food offered to idols.
* **idol's temple (Greek, _eidōleîon'_):** From G1493, this word denotes an "image-fane," or a temple dedicated to an idol. The setting is crucial, as eating in such a place, rather than simply consuming idol-meat bought in the market, carried a stronger association with pagan worship and could be perceived as participation in the idolatrous cult, especially by those with a sensitive conscience.
* **be emboldened (Greek, _oikodoméō'_):** From G3618, this verb primarily means "to be a house-builder," or "to construct or (figuratively) confirm, edify, build up." Here, however, it is used ironically or negatively. The "strong" believer's action, intended as an exercise of freedom, "builds up" or "emboldens" the "weak" brother, not in faith, but in a way that leads them to act against their conscience, thus building them up into sin rather than spiritual maturity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple,"**: This clause sets the scene, describing the specific action of the "strong" believer. The "man" who "has knowledge" is one who understands the theological truth that idols are nothing. His action is to "sit at meat" (G2621, _katákeimai_), which implies reclining at a meal, a common posture for feasting, and doing so "in the idol's temple" (G1493, _eidōleîon_). The visual aspect ("see thee") is paramount; it's not merely the act itself, but the public perception and example set by the knowledgeable believer.
* **"shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;"**: This is the rhetorical question, implying an affirmative answer, that highlights the negative consequence. The "conscience" (G4893, _syneídēsis_) of the "weak" (G772, _asthenḗs_) individual—one who lacks the full understanding or conviction of the "strong"—is directly impacted. This weak conscience is "emboldened" (G3618, _oikodoméō_), or "built up" in a detrimental way, to "eat those things which are offered to idols" (G1494, _eidōlóthyton_). The implication is that the weaker brother, seeing the example of the stronger, is encouraged to partake despite their inner conviction that it is wrong, thereby defiling their own conscience and sinning against God.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful **Rhetorical Question** in this verse ("shall not the conscience... be emboldened?"), which serves to underscore the inevitable negative outcome of the "strong" believer's action. This device compels the reader to acknowledge the direct cause-and-effect relationship between the public display of liberty and the potential spiritual harm to a weaker brother. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Irony** in the use of the word "emboldened" (Greek, *oikodoméō*), which typically means "to build up" or "edify." Here, it is used in a destructive sense, implying that the "building up" of the weak brother's confidence to eat idol meat actually leads to their spiritual downfall, rather than their growth in faith. This highlights the paradox that an action, innocent in itself, can become a stumbling block when not exercised with love and consideration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Corinthians 8:10 profoundly illustrates the New Testament's emphasis on communal responsibility and the supremacy of love over personal rights within the Christian fellowship. It challenges the notion that individual freedom can be exercised without regard for its impact on others, especially those who are spiritually vulnerable. Paul's argument is that while knowledge of theological truth is valuable, it must always be subservient to the greater principle of *agape* love, which seeks the welfare and spiritual edification of others. This teaching directly connects to the broader biblical theme of self-sacrifice for the sake of others, echoing Christ's own example of laying down His rights and life for humanity. The verse serves as a foundational text for understanding how Christian liberty is not an end in itself, but a means to serve and build up the body of Christ, guarding against actions that, though permissible, might lead a brother or sister to stumble.

* [Romans 14:13](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do Not Put a Stumbling Block")
* [Romans 14:20-21](/romans/14-20-21 "Romans 14:20-21 - Do Not Destroy the Work of God")
* [1 Corinthians 10:23-24](/1_corinthians/10-23-24 "1 Corinthians 10:23-24 - All Things Are Lawful, But Not All Things Edify")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The principles of 1 Corinthians 8:10 remain acutely relevant for believers today, even though the specific issue of eating meat sacrificed to idols may not be a common dilemma. The core message challenges us to examine how we exercise our Christian liberties and whether our actions, however innocent in our own eyes, might inadvertently cause a fellow believer to stumble or violate their conscience. This calls for a profound shift from a self-centered approach to freedom to a Christ-centered one, where love for our brother or sister takes precedence. It compels us to cultivate empathy, understanding that others may have different backgrounds, sensitivities, or stages of spiritual maturity. True liberty is not merely the right to do what is permissible, but the freedom to forgo that right for the sake of another's spiritual well-being. This requires discernment, humility, and a willingness to prioritize the unity and health of the body of Christ over personal preferences or assertions of rights. Our ultimate goal should be to build up, not tear down, and to reflect the self-sacrificial love of Christ in all our interactions within the community of faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might my "knowledge" or "liberty" inadvertently cause a "weaker" brother or sister to stumble?**
* **How can I better discern the sensitivities and consciences of those around me in the Christian community?**
* **What personal rights or preferences am I willing to lay down for the spiritual health and growth of another believer, reflecting the love of Christ?**
* **How does prioritizing love over knowledge or liberty contribute to the overall unity and strength of the local church?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "weak" and "strong" in this context?**

Answer: In [1 Corinthians 8](/1_corinthians/8 "1 Corinthians 8 - Food Sacrificed to Idols"), Paul uses "strong" to refer to believers who possess a robust theological understanding (knowledge) that idols are nothing and therefore eating meat offered to them is not inherently sinful. They are spiritually mature enough to distinguish between the food itself and the pagan ritual. Conversely, "weak" refers to believers, often new converts from pagan backgrounds, whose consciences are still sensitive to the association of such meat with idolatry. For them, eating idol-meat, especially in a temple, would feel like a return to their former idolatrous practices, thus defiling their conscience and leading them to sin against their conviction, even if the act itself is not inherently wrong in God's eyes. Paul is not implying a moral or spiritual inferiority, but rather a difference in the maturity of their theological understanding and the robustness of their conscience on this specific issue.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The ethical dilemma presented in [1 Corinthians 8:10](/1_corinthians/8-10 "1 Corinthians 8:10 - Emboldening the Weak Conscience") finds its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ, though possessing all power and divine prerogative, did not insist on His rights but willingly laid them aside for the sake of humanity's salvation. He "did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He emptied Himself" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility")). His entire earthly ministry was an act of self-sacrificial love, culminating in His death on the cross, where He became a "stumbling block" to some and "foolishness" to others, yet the power and wisdom of God for those who believe ([1 Corinthians 1:23-24](/1_corinthians/1-23-24 "1 Corinthians 1:23-24 - Christ Crucified, a Stumbling Block")). The principle Paul advocates—that the "strong" should forgo their liberty to prevent the "weak" from stumbling—is a direct imitation of Christ's selfless example. Jesus did not use His freedom to indulge His own desires but to serve and redeem. Therefore, when believers choose to limit their own freedoms out of love for a brother or sister, they are not merely following an ethical guideline, but are actively participating in the very character and mission of Christ, who came "not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). This Christ-centered love is the true measure of Christian maturity and the foundation of genuine community.

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 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:

1 Corinthians 10:29

Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another [man's] conscience?

Romans 14:23

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.

1 Corinthians 10:20

But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

1 Corinthians 10:21

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

1 Corinthians 8:4

¶ As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one.

1 Corinthians 8:1

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