1 Corinthians 10 24

1 Corinthians 10:24 kjv

Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

1 Corinthians 10:24 nkjv

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.

1 Corinthians 10:24 niv

No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

1 Corinthians 10:24 esv

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

1 Corinthians 10:24 nlt

Don't be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

1 Corinthians 10 verses

1 Corinthians 10 24 meaning

This verse serves as a foundational ethical principle within Christian community, urging believers to prioritize the welfare and edification of others over their own personal advantage or liberty. It's a call to selfless love and consideration, especially in matters where individual actions might impact a fellow believer's conscience or spiritual journey.

1 Corinthians 10 24 Context

This verse is situated within a larger discussion in 1 Corinthians (chapters 8-10) about Christian liberty, particularly concerning eating meat sacrificed to idols. In the culturally diverse city of Corinth, meat sold in markets often came from pagan temple sacrifices. While some believers, understanding that "an idol has no real existence" (8:4), felt free to eat such meat, others with weaker consciences saw it as participating in idolatry. Paul first establishes the principle in 1 Cor 8, where knowledge must be tempered by love, ensuring not to cause a "stumbling block" to a weaker brother. In 1 Cor 9, he presents his own example of willingly giving up personal rights and freedoms for the sake of the gospel and to win more people to Christ. Then, in 1 Cor 10:1-22, Paul uses the history of Israel's idolatry and rebellion in the wilderness as a solemn warning against taking liberties for granted or succumbing to temptation. He asserts "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but not all things build up" (10:23). Verse 10:24 immediately follows, providing the essential principle by which to apply the maxim of 10:23: personal liberty must be constrained by concern for another's good. It moves beyond just avoiding harm to actively seeking their edification, whether in matters of food or broader Christian living.

1 Corinthians 10 24 Word analysis

• Let no one: (Greek: μηδεῖς - mēdeis). This is a strong, universal negative command, implying that absolutely no one in the community is exempt from this directive. It prohibits even an inclination toward self-centeredness.
• seek: (Greek: ζητεῖ - zētei). This verb is in the present imperative, denoting continuous action. It means to actively search, strive for, or pursue. It's not passive; it implies deliberate, intentional effort to discover and secure. Paul is not just saying "don't focus on" but "don't actively make your goal."
• his own: (Greek: ἑαυτοῦ - heautou). A reflexive pronoun emphasizing the self. It highlights the natural human tendency to look inward and prioritize one's individual desires or advantages.
• good: (Greek: τὸ ἑαυτοῦ - to heautou, which translates literally as "that which is his own"). The Greek does not explicitly contain the word "good" but implies "that which benefits, is profitable, or advantageous" to oneself. It carries the nuance of "personal gain," "advantage," or "welfare." This aligns with the "profitable" (συμφέρει - sympherei) and "build up" (οἰκοδομεῖ - oikodomei) from the preceding verse (1 Cor 10:23), where personal benefit is weighed against the edification of others.
• but: (Greek: ἀλλὰ - alla). A strong adversative conjunction that introduces a direct contrast or antithesis. It emphatically pivots the instruction from what not to do to what to do.
• the good: (Implied). Again, similar to "his own good," it implicitly refers to "that which benefits, is profitable, or advantageous." The Greek directly states "that which is of the other."
• of his neighbor: (Greek: τοῦ ἑτέρου - tou heterou). Literally "the other" or "the different one." In this context, it refers to any fellow human being, specifically a fellow believer or anyone whose spiritual or physical well-being could be impacted by one's actions. It explicitly shifts focus from "self" (heautou) to "the other" (heterou). It underscores the relational and communal nature of Christian ethics.

• "Let no one seek his own good": This phrase delivers an absolute prohibition against egocentricity and self-centeredness as a guiding principle. It's not about prohibiting legitimate self-care or responsibilities, but forbidding the pursuit of one's own advantage above or without consideration for others. This stands against the pagan cultural ethos that often lauded self-assertion and personal ambition.
• "but the good of his neighbor": This phrase provides the essential, positive counter-command. It is an active call to altruism and consideration for the spiritual, moral, and sometimes even physical welfare of those around us. This reorients Christian living away from individual rights or perceived "liberty" toward communal responsibility and loving service.

1 Corinthians 10 24 Bonus section

This verse powerfully encapsulates what it means to live out the "love your neighbor as yourself" commandment (Lev 19:18; Matt 22:39). It reflects Jesus' own self-sacrificing example, who did not "seek His own good" but "emptied Himself" for the good of humanity (Phil 2:5-8). It also ties directly into the broader themes of unity and building up the body of Christ, which are pervasive throughout 1 Corinthians. The "good" or "profitable" in this context is largely spiritual: that which builds up one's faith and fosters spiritual maturity, rather than causing confusion, distress, or temptation. This principle doesn't negate individual rights or personal conviction, but asserts that they are subservient to the higher call of sacrificial love within the Christian community, especially when external matters are indifferent to God in themselves, but sensitive to individual consciences. This ethical stance is vital for maintaining the spiritual health and evangelistic witness of the church.

1 Corinthians 10 24 Commentary

1 Corinthians 10:24 distills a core principle of Pauline ethics: that Christian liberty is not absolute, but always to be exercised within the bounds of love and concern for the community. While individual believers might possess "knowledge" and the right to engage in certain practices, this verse demands a higher standard of considering how such actions impact others, particularly those with a weaker conscience. It calls for proactive selflessness, moving beyond mere avoidance of harm to actively seeking the edification and welfare of one's "neighbor" – which in context primarily means fellow believers. This reorients focus from personal freedom and convenience to the strengthening and spiritual well-being of the body of Christ, effectively stating that true Christian freedom is expressed through love that serves rather than asserts its own rights.

Examples:

• A Christian with dietary freedom choosing to abstain from a specific food when dining with a new convert who previously struggled with an eating disorder.
• Someone with disposable income deciding to volunteer time or resources to help a struggling family in their church, rather than spending purely on personal entertainment.
• A believer opting not to engage in certain morally ambiguous entertainment or speech in public or online, even if personally unbothered, out of concern for how it might be perceived or influence impressionable younger believers.