1 Corinthians 8:7

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Howbeit {G235} there is not {G3756} in {G1722} every man {G3956} that knowledge {G1108}: for {G1161} some {G5100} with conscience {G4893} of the idol {G1497} unto {G2193} this hour {G737} eat {G2068} it as {G5613} a thing offered unto an idol {G1494}; and {G2532} their {G846} conscience {G4893} being {G5607} weak {G772} is defiled {G3435}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But not everyone has this knowledge. Moreover, some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat food which has been sacrificed to them, they think of it as really affected by the idol; and their consciences, being weak, are thus defiled.

Berean Standard Bible

But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.

American Standard Version

Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Corinthians 8:7 is a crucial verse in Paul's discussion on Christian liberty concerning food offered to idols, revealing that not all believers in Corinth possessed the same mature understanding. Paul explains that some individuals, due to their lingering associations with paganism or a less developed faith, still perceive such food as genuinely connected to idols. When these believers partake, acting against their internal conviction, their conscience, being weak, becomes defiled, highlighting the importance of exercising spiritual freedom with love and consideration for those whose faith is more fragile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a critical pivot in Paul's argument in [1 Corinthians 8](/1_corinthians/8 "1 Corinthians 8 - Food Offered to Idols"). Having established in [1 Corinthians 8:4-6](/1_corinthians/8-4-6 "1 Corinthians 8:4-6 - Idols Are Nothing, There Is One God") that "an idol is nothing in the world" and there is only "one God, the Father" and "one Lord Jesus Christ," Paul introduces a vital nuance. While the "strong" in faith might intellectually grasp this truth, [1 Corinthians 8:7](/1_corinthians/8-7 "1 Corinthians 8:7 - The Weak Conscience") clarifies that this knowledge is not universal. It sets the stage for Paul's subsequent appeal in [1 Corinthians 8:9-13](/1_corinthians/8-9-13 "1 Corinthians 8:9-13 - Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble") for believers to prioritize love and the spiritual well-being of their brothers and sisters over the assertion of their own liberties, lest their freedom become a stumbling block.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Corinth was a major commercial and religious center, replete with temples dedicated to various pagan deities. Animal sacrifices were a common practice, and the meat from these sacrifices was often sold in the city's markets (macellum) or consumed at public feasts held in temple precincts. For many new converts to Christianity, particularly those from a pagan background, the transition involved a radical break from deeply ingrained religious practices. The act of eating meat that had been offered to idols carried significant spiritual weight for them, potentially triggering memories of their former idolatry and creating a sense of compromise or relapse. Paul addresses this complex situation, acknowledging the genuine struggle of those whose consciences were still sensitive to these pagan associations, even after conversion.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 8:7](/1_corinthians/8-7 "1 Corinthians 8:7 - The Weak Conscience") directly contributes to the overarching theme of **Christian liberty exercised in love**. It introduces the critical concept of the **"weak conscience,"** referring to a believer whose understanding of Christian freedom is not yet fully mature, or whose moral faculty is still influenced by past pagan beliefs. For such individuals, eating idol meat is not a neutral act but one perceived as participating in idolatry, leading to internal conflict. This verse underscores the tension between **knowledge (gnosis)** and **love (agape)**, emphasizing that while intellectual understanding is valuable, it must always be subordinated to the greater principle of love, which seeks to build up and protect the spiritual well-being of others, rather than causing them to stumble ([1 Corinthians 8:1](/1_corinthians/8-1 "1 Corinthians 8:1 - Knowledge Puffs Up, Love Builds Up")). It also highlights the theme of **spiritual defilement**, not from the food itself, but from the internal moral compromise experienced when one acts against their own conscience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Knowledge (Greek, _gnōsis'_):** From G1108, meaning "knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge." In this context, it refers to the intellectual and spiritual understanding that idols are ultimately powerless and therefore food offered to them is not inherently defiled. Paul states that this mature theological insight, which he himself possessed, was not universally shared among all believers in Corinth.
* **Thing offered unto an idol (Greek, _eidōlóthyton'_):** From G1494, meaning "an image-sacrifice, i.e. part of an idolatrous offering." This specific term refers to meat that had been consecrated or sacrificed to a pagan deity. For those with a sensitive conscience, the very act of consuming such food, regardless of its inherent spiritual neutrality, carried strong and problematic associations with their former idolatrous practices.
* **Conscience (Greek, _syneídēsis'_):** From G4893, meaning "co-perception, i.e. moral consciousness." This term denotes the inner moral faculty that discerns right from wrong and holds an individual accountable to their own convictions. Paul describes this conscience as "weak" (G772, _asthenḗs'_), indicating it is not yet robust or fully informed by the liberating truth of Christian liberty, making it susceptible to defilement when acting against its own internal judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge:"** Paul introduces a crucial distinction, clarifying that the theological truth he just stated (that idols are nothing) is not universally understood or accepted by all believers. This sets up the practical problem of differing levels of spiritual maturity within the church.
* **"for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol;"** This clause explains the reason for the lack of universal knowledge. "Some" believers, likely recent converts from paganism, still carry the "conscience of the idol." This means their internal moral compass is still deeply influenced by their former beliefs, causing them to perceive the meat as genuinely connected to the idol, even "unto this hour" (meaning, even after conversion and baptism). When they eat it, they do so with a lingering conviction that they are participating in idolatry.
* **"and their conscience being weak is defiled."** The consequence of this internal conflict is spiritual defilement. Their conscience is "weak" (G772, _asthenḗs'_), meaning it is not yet strong enough or sufficiently enlightened by the full truth of Christian liberty to overcome these lingering associations. Because they act against their own conviction (even if that conviction is based on an incomplete understanding), their conscience becomes "defiled" (G3435, _molýnō'_), leading to guilt, internal struggle, and a sense of spiritual impurity.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful use of **Antithesis** and **Pathos** in this verse. The **antithesis** is evident in the stark contrast between the "knowledge" (gnosis) possessed by some believers and its absence in "every man," particularly those with a "weak conscience." This highlights the central tension between intellectual understanding and practical application within the community. Furthermore, the description of the "weak conscience" being "defiled" evokes **pathos**, appealing to the readers' empathy and compassion. Paul portrays the struggling believer not as ignorant or stubborn, but as genuinely vulnerable and susceptible to spiritual harm, thereby strengthening his ethical argument for self-restraint and love among the "strong."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is foundational to Paul's broader teaching on Christian liberty and the importance of loving one's neighbor. It highlights that while theological truth provides freedom, the application of that freedom must always be governed by the principle of *agape* love, especially towards those who are spiritually vulnerable. The "weak conscience" is not a sign of moral inferiority but often a stage of spiritual development, where past associations or a less robust understanding of grace can lead to internal conflict. Paul's concern is not merely for external behavior but for the internal integrity and spiritual health of the believer. To cause a brother to stumble, even through an otherwise permissible act, is to sin against Christ ([1 Corinthians 8:12](/1_corinthians/8-12 "1 Corinthians 8:12 - Sinning Against Christ")). This principle extends beyond food to all areas where believers might have differing convictions, urging mutual respect and self-sacrifice for the sake of unity and edification.

* [Romans 14:1-3](/romans/14-1-3 "Romans 14:1-3 - Receiving the Weak in Faith")
* [Romans 14:13](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble")
* [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
1 Corinthians 8:7 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, urging us to exercise our Christian liberty with profound sensitivity and love for others. It challenges the notion that spiritual maturity is solely about intellectual knowledge or asserting personal rights. Instead, it calls us to cultivate a Christ-like compassion that prioritizes the spiritual well-being of our brothers and sisters, especially those who may be less mature in faith or whose consciences are more susceptible to stumbling. This principle extends far beyond the specific issue of food offered to idols, applying to countless areas of modern Christian life, such as entertainment choices, social media engagement, political stances, or even seemingly innocuous personal habits. We are called to consider how our actions, even those we deem permissible, might be perceived by others, and whether they could inadvertently lead a weaker believer into sin or spiritual distress. Our ultimate aim should be to build up the body of Christ, foster unity, and ensure that our freedom in Christ never becomes a stumbling block for another.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I become more aware of the varying levels of spiritual maturity and conviction within my Christian community?**
* **In what specific areas of my life might my exercise of Christian liberty potentially cause a weaker brother or sister to stumble or feel defiled?**
* **What personal rights or preferences am I willing to forgo or adjust out of love and consideration for a fellow believer, following Paul's teaching?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "weak conscience," and how does it get "defiled"?**

Answer: A "weak conscience" (Greek: _syneídēsis asthenḗs'_) refers to a believer whose moral understanding or spiritual maturity is not yet fully developed, often due to lingering influences from their past life (e.g., paganism) or an incomplete grasp of Christian truth. For such individuals, certain actions that are objectively permissible for a mature believer (like eating meat offered to idols, which Paul states is nothing in [1 Corinthians 8:4](/1_corinthians/8-4 "1 Corinthians 8:4 - Idols Are Nothing")) are still perceived as wrong or compromising their faith. Their conscience gets "defiled" (Greek: _molýnō'_) not because the act itself is inherently sinful, but because they perform it against their own internal conviction. This leads to a sense of guilt, spiritual compromise, and a "staining" of their moral faculty, hindering their spiritual growth and peace. Paul's point is that the issue is not the food, but the internal state of the person eating it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [1 Corinthians 8:7](/1_corinthians/8-7 "1 Corinthians 8:7 - The Weak Conscience") directly addresses the issue of food offered to idols and the weak conscience, its profound Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the ultimate example of self-sacrificial love demonstrated by Jesus Christ. Paul's call for believers to forgo their rights and consider the weaker brother directly mirrors the pattern of Christ, who, though possessing all divine rights and privileges, "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). Jesus did not insist on His own rights or status but willingly humbled Himself, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience to Death")), for the sake of others. His entire ministry was characterized by compassion for the weak, the marginalized, and the struggling, always prioritizing their spiritual and physical well-being over His own comfort or prerogatives. Therefore, when Paul urges the strong to bear with the infirmities of the weak and not to please themselves ([Romans 15:1](/romans/15-1 "Romans 15:1 - Bear with the Weak")), he is echoing the very heart of Christ, who came "not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" ([Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). The exercise of Christian liberty, then, is not merely about what is permissible, but about imitating the self-emptying love of Christ for the edification and salvation of others.

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

Romans 14:14

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.

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?

1 Corinthians 8:9

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

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;

Romans 14:22

Hast thou faith? have [it] to thyself before God. Happy [is] he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

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.