1 Corinthians 8:1

Translations

Modern

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Traditional

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

Literal

Now concerning the things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Latin

De iis autem quæ idolis sacrificantur, scimus quia omnes scientiam habemus. Scientia inflat, caritas vero ædificat.

Original

Greek

English

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Notes

1 Corinthians 8:1

"We all have knowledge" was a saying among the Corinthian Christians. The knowledge referred to religious understanding. Some Christians believed their superior knowledge made them ignore others' opinions.

1 Corinthians 8:1–11:1

Paul addresses the Corinthians' question about eating food offered to idols. In the Greco-Roman world, temples and shrines dedicated to pagan gods were common. Worshipers often offered animal sacrifices, and pagan priests sold the extra meat in the market. Christians wondered if they could eat this meat.

Was meat from a sacrifice to a pagan god impure? Paul does not mention the Jewish Christian leaders' prohibition in Acts 15:20, 29. Instead, he stresses that actions should be guided by love and consideration for others. After introducing the topic (1 Corinthians 8:1–13), he shares examples of giving up one's rights for others' sake (9:1–27) and offers advice on three specific situations believers faced.

Theme notes and profiles

Corinth Paul (Saul) Giving up Rights Legalism Tolerance

Related verses

1 Corinthians 8:7
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.
Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Romans 14:3
The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him.
1 Corinthians 8:4
So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one.
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
Romans 15:14
I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
1 Corinthians 8:2
The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.
Numbers 25:2
…who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods.
Acts 15:19–20
It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
Acts 15:29
You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
Ephesians 4:16
From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.
Isaiah 47:10
You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’

1 Corinthians 8:1

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