1 Corinthians 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.
1 Corinthians 10:23 nkjv
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
1 Corinthians 10:23 niv
"I have the right to do anything," you say?but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"?but not everything is constructive.
1 Corinthians 10:23 esv
"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.
1 Corinthians 10:23 nlt
You say, "I am allowed to do anything" ? but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything" ? but not everything is beneficial.
1 Corinthians 10 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 10:24 | Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's prosperity. | Paul's instruction for prioritizing others. |
| 1 Cor 10:31 | Whether, then, you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. | The ultimate principle guiding all actions. |
| Rom 14:13 | Let us not, therefore, judge one another anymore, but rather decide this: not to put a stumbling block or a cause of falling in a brother's way. | The responsibility to avoid causing spiritual harm to others. |
| Rom 14:21 | It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. | Applying the principle of not causing a brother to stumble. |
| Gal 5:13 | For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. | Freedom in Christ is to be used for serving others. |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. | The standard for speech is edification. |
| Col 3:17 | And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. | All actions are to be done in Christ's name and for God's glory. |
| 1 Thes 5:11 | Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing. | The church's mutual responsibility for edification. |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | The pursuit of peace and holiness is crucial. |
| Acts 20:35 | In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words that the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ | The principle of helping the weak and the spirit of giving. |
| Matt 18:15 | If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. | Handling sin within the community with a goal of restoration. |
| John 13:34-35 | A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also, love one another. By this all people will know that you are你們 my disciples, if you have love for one another. | Love as the distinctive mark of Christ's followers. |
| 1 Cor 8:9 | But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. | Warning against exercising Christian liberty carelessly. |
| 1 Cor 8:1 | Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that all of us possess knowledge. This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. | Contrasting knowledge with love, which edifies. |
| 1 Cor 9:19 | For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. | Paul's example of self-limitation for the sake of others. |
| 1 Cor 9:22 | To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. | The application of practical wisdom in ministry. |
| 1 Cor 6:12 | "All things are permissible for me," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are permissible for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. | A foundational statement on permissible actions and bondage. |
| 1 Cor 6:13 | "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. | Clarification on the purpose of the body and food. |
| Gal 6:7-9 | Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. For whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. | The principle of sowing and reaping and perseverance. |
| 2 Cor 5:15 | and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. | The purpose of Christ’s death is for us to live for Him. |
1 Corinthians 10 verses
1 Corinthians 10 23 Meaning
All things are permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. All things are permissible for me, but not all things build up. This verse emphasizes that Christian freedom is not absolute but is bound by the principles of edification and benefit to others and to oneself in Christ. It highlights a discernment process where what is lawful must also be evaluated for its positive impact on spiritual growth and community.
1 Corinthians 10 23 Context
This verse appears in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, which addresses issues related to eating food sacrificed to idols and participating in pagan feasts. Paul is responding to Corinthian Christians who believed their "knowledge" made them superior and therefore permitted them to engage in practices that were potentially problematic for other believers, particularly those with weaker consciences. In chapter 8, Paul already stated the principle, "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." Chapter 10 builds upon this, showing how this principle should guide their freedom in Christ. The immediate context is a discussion on exercising Christian liberty without causing harm or offense to fellow believers, especially in social situations where pagan customs were prevalent.
1 Corinthians 10 23 Word Analysis
"All things":
- The Greek word is "panta" (πάντα).
- It signifies "every" or "all," indicating the entirety of things, encompassing actions, practices, and freedoms.
"are permissible":
- The Greek word is "exestin" (ἔξεστιν).
- This term implies "it is lawful," "it is permitted," or "it is allowed." It speaks to what is technically permissible according to law or freedom.
"for me":
- The Greek word is "emoi" (ἐμοὶ).
- This emphasizes personal freedom or privilege.
"but not all things":
- Again, "panta" (πάντα) is used with a negative "alla" (ἀλλά), meaning "but" or "however."
- This sets up the crucial qualification and restriction.
"are beneficial":
- The Greek word is "sympherō" (συμφέρω).
- This means "to bring together," "to be useful," "to be profitable," or "to be expedient." It carries the sense of what is conducive to good, constructive, or helpful.
"All things are permissible for me":
- This is a repetition of the initial phrase for emphasis.
"but not all things":
- Repetition with the negative conjunction.
"build up":
- The Greek word is "oikodomō" (οἰκοδομέω).
- This verb means "to build a house," but metaphorically, it means "to edify," "to build up spiritually," "to improve," or "to strengthen." It is about spiritual construction and progress.
Words/Phrases Group Analysis:
- "All things are permissible for me": This statement, already used in 1 Corinthians 6:12, reflects a Corinthian slogan. Paul acknowledges this but immediately qualifies it. It highlights the potential for self-centered application of freedom.
- "but not all things are beneficial" / "but not all things build up": This pair of contrasting phrases introduces the core ethical principle. "Beneficial" (sympherō) refers to personal profit or good, while "build up" (oikodomō) refers to spiritual construction and strengthening, often in relation to the community. The implication is that an action may be permissible but harmful to oneself or others' spiritual well-being.
1 Corinthians 10 23 Bonus Section
The dual qualifications "not all things are beneficial" and "not all things build up" serve as parallel principles that complement each other. "Beneficial" (sympherō) has a broader scope, encompassing personal well-being and practicality, while "build up" (oikodomō) is more specifically focused on spiritual growth and the corporate life of the church. Together, they present a robust ethical framework for Christian conduct, ensuring that freedom is exercised responsibly, with a constant regard for both individual spiritual health and the welfare of the entire Christian community. This echoes Jesus’ own teaching on love for God and neighbor as the highest commandments, which encapsulate these principles.
1 Corinthians 10 23 Commentary
Paul teaches that Christian liberty, while real, is not an excuse for selfishness or spiritual recklessness. The Corinthian believers were tempted to assert their rights and freedoms without considering the consequences. Paul reminds them that their actions should be governed by love and a desire for mutual edification. Freedom from the Law is not freedom to sin or to be insensitive to the spiritual condition of fellow believers. The standard is not simply what is allowed, but what is constructive for spiritual growth, both personally and communally. This involves exercising discernment, choosing actions that build up the body of Christ, rather than those that might tear it down or alienate weaker brothers.
- Practical Usage Example: A believer might have the freedom to attend a social event where alcohol is served. However, if a younger Christian or someone struggling with addiction is present, choosing not to drink alcohol or even abstaining from that event would be an act of love and edification, preventing a stumble.
- Practical Usage Example: In speech, a believer has freedom to express opinions. However, gossip or slander, while potentially permissible, does not build up and is therefore discouraged in favor of words that encourage and strengthen others.