1 Corinthians 8:12

But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

But {G1161} when ye sin {G264} so {G3779} against {G1519} the brethren {G80}, and {G2532} wound {G5180} their {G846} weak {G770} conscience {G4893}, ye sin {G264} against {G1519} Christ {G5547}.

and so, when you sin against the brothers by wounding their conscience when it is weak, you are sinning against the Messiah!

By sinning against your brothers in this way and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.

1 Corinthians 8:12 delivers a powerful warning about the consequences of actions that, while permissible for some, may cause spiritual harm to others. Paul asserts that when believers, through their exercise of liberty, cause a brother or sister to stumble and violate their conscience, they are not merely sinning against that individual but directly against Christ Himself.

Context of 1 Corinthians 8:12

This verse is part of Paul's larger discussion in 1 Corinthians 8 concerning eating meat offered to idols. In Corinth, a bustling port city with numerous pagan temples, meat from sacrifices was often sold in the marketplace. Some believers, possessing a robust understanding (or "knowledge") that "an idol is nothing in the world" (1 Corinthians 8:4), felt free to eat such meat. However, others, particularly new converts who had recently left idolatry, had a "weak conscience" concerning this issue. For them, eating idol-meat might be seen as participating in idol worship, thereby violating their conscience and potentially leading them back into sin or spiritual confusion. Paul's core argument throughout the chapter, beginning with the principle that "knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth," prioritizes love and consideration for weaker believers over the exercise of personal liberty.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Sacredness of Conscience: The verse highlights the importance of respecting an individual's conscience, even if it is deemed "weak" or less informed. To wound someone's conscience is to cause them to act against their deepest convictions, which is a serious spiritual offense.
  • Love Over Liberty: Paul argues that Christian liberty is not absolute but must be exercised within the bounds of love for others. One's "right" to do something should be surrendered if it becomes a stumbling block or cause for sin for a fellow believer. This theme is further explored in Romans 14.
  • Sin Against Christ: This is the most profound implication of the verse. By sinning against a brother or sister, one is directly sinning against Christ. This underscores the profound unity within the body of Christ; what affects one member affects the Head. It echoes Jesus' teaching that what is done to "one of the least of these" is done to Him (Matthew 25:40).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "weak conscience" translates from the Greek asthenes syneidesis (ἀσθενὴς συνείδησις). Asthenes means "weak, feeble, infirm," indicating a conscience that is not yet fully robust or mature in its understanding of Christian liberty. It's not about moral failure, but about a lack of firm conviction or susceptibility to being led astray. The declaration "ye sin against Christ" (ἁμαρτάνετε εἰς Χριστόν - hamartanete eis Christon) powerfully elevates the offense, connecting the mistreatment of a fellow believer directly to an affront against the Lord Himself.

Practical Application

1 Corinthians 8:12 calls believers to a high standard of empathetic and sacrificial love. In contemporary contexts, this principle applies to many areas where Christians hold differing convictions—from choices in entertainment, alcohol consumption, dress, or political engagement. The core message is to prioritize the spiritual well-being of others, especially those who are spiritually vulnerable or new in faith, over the assertion of personal rights or preferences. It challenges us to consider: "Will my freedom cause another to stumble?" Ultimately, living by this principle fosters unity, strengthens the church, and honors Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 18:6

    But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

  • Matthew 25:45

    Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12

    ¶ For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.

  • 1 Samuel 24:11

    Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that [there is] neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

  • Exodus 32:21

    ¶ And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

  • 1 Samuel 19:4

    And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works [have been] to thee-ward very good:

  • 1 Samuel 19:5

    For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest [it], and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back