23'All things are permitted to me' — but not all things are profitable. 'All things are permitted to me' — but not all things build up. [10:24] Let no one seek the good of himself, but that of the other — each one. [10:25] Eat everything being sold in the meat market, examining nothing on account of conscience — [10:26] for the earth and its fullness belong to the Lord. [10:27] If any of the unbelievers invites you and you wish to go, eat everything being set before you, examining nothing on account of conscience. [10:28] But if anyone says to you, 'This is temple-sacrificed meat,' do not eat it — on account of the one who disclosed it, and on account of conscience; for the earth and its fullness belong to the Lord. [10:29] Now conscience — I am saying not your own, but that of the other. For why is my freedom judged by another's conscience? [10:30] If I myself partake by grace, why am I denigrated concerning that for which I myself give thanks? [10:31] Whether therefore you eat or you drink, or whatever you perform, perform all things to the glory of God. [10:32] Be without offense both to Jews and to Greeks and to the church of God — [10:33] even as I myself also in all things please all people, not seeking the profiting of myself but that of the many, that they may be saved.
1CO 10:23-33
All to Godʼs Glory
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Corinth, a bustling Roman colony with a diverse population, the meat market was a central hub of commerce and social life. Much of the meat sold there had been previously offered to pagan deities in temples, a common practice in Greco-Roman religion. For Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity, this raised questions about idolatry and ritual purity. Paul addresses these concerns by emphasizing freedom in Christ while prioritizing the edification of others. The term (to build up) would have resonated with a community familiar with civic construction and the metaphor of communal growth. The act of (examining) reflects a careful, almost judicial consideration of one’s actions, particularly in mixed social settings where believers dined with non-believers. The mention of (temple-sacrificed meat) highlights the tension between Christian liberty and cultural sensitivity. Paul’s focus on (not causing offense) underscores the honor-shame dynamics of maintaining harmony within the community and avoiding actions that could lead others to stumble.
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How other translations render this
1CO 10:23
- KJV
- All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
- BSB
- “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.
- Koinōnos
- All things are permitted to me' — but not all things are profitable. 'All things are permitted to me' — but not all things build up.
1CO 10:24
- KJV
- Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
- BSB
- No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.
- Koinōnos
- Let no one seek the good of himself, but that of the other — each one.
1CO 10:25
- KJV
- Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
- BSB
- Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
- Koinōnos
- Eat everything being sold in the meat market, examining nothing on account of conscience —
1CO 10:26
- KJV
- For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
- BSB
- for, “The earth is the Lordʼs, and the fullness thereof.”
- Koinōnos
- for the earth and its fullness belong to the Lord.
1CO 10:27
- KJV
- If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
- BSB
- If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat anything set before you without raising questions of conscience.
- Koinōnos
- If any of the unbelievers invites you and you wish to go, eat everything being set before you, examining nothing on account of conscience.
1CO 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:
- BSB
- 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—
- Koinōnos
- But if anyone says to you, 'This is temple-sacrificed meat,' do not eat it — on account of the one who disclosed it, and on account of conscience; for the earth and its fullness belong to the Lord.
1CO 10:29
- KJV
- Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?
- BSB
- the other oneʼs conscience, I mean, not your own. For why should my freedom be determined by someone elseʼs conscience?
- Koinōnos
- Now conscience — I am saying not your own, but that of the other. For why is my freedom judged by another's conscience?
1CO 10:30
- KJV
- For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
- BSB
- If I partake in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
- Koinōnos
- If I myself partake by grace, why am I denigrated concerning that for which I myself give thanks?
1CO 10:31
- KJV
- Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
- BSB
- So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
- Koinōnos
- Whether therefore you eat or you drink, or whatever you perform, perform all things to the glory of God.
1CO 10:32
- KJV
- Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
- BSB
- Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—
- Koinōnos
- Be without offense both to Jews and to Greeks and to the church of God —
1CO 10:33
- KJV
- Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
- BSB
- as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.
- Koinōnos
- even as I myself also in all things please all people, not seeking the profiting of myself but that of the many, that they may be saved.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1CO 10:23
- not:The word translated 'not' here is part of a phrase that means 'to build up' or 'to edify.' It refers to constructive actions that strengthen and improve others, rather than tearing them down.
1CO 10:25
- inquiring:The word translated 'inquiring' carried the sense of a thorough investigation or examination, often in a judicial context, implying a careful and critical assessment.
1CO 10:28
- temple-sacrifice:The term used here for 'temple-sacrifice' specifically referred to meat that had been offered to idols, highlighting its pagan association rather than just any sacrifice.
1CO 10:32
- Without offense:The phrase 'Without offense' means not causing others to stumble or be led into sin, and also not stumbling oneself. It implies living in a way that avoids moral pitfalls for oneself and others.