1 Corinthians 10 28

1 Corinthians 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:

1 Corinthians 10:28 nkjv

But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for "the earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness."

1 Corinthians 10:28 niv

But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.

1 Corinthians 10:28 esv

But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience ?

1 Corinthians 10:28 nlt

(But suppose someone tells you, "This meat was offered to an idol." Don't eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you.

1 Corinthians 10 verses

1 Corinthians 10 28 Meaning

If anyone on the contrary does declare to you "This is of idol and it was offered first for idol." then you may eat it, with gratitude, acknowledging that this idol worship is false.

1 Corinthians 10 28 Context

This verse is part of Paul's extended discussion on food sacrificed to idols in Corinth. Chapter 10 addresses the potential for participation in pagan idolatrous practices. Paul has established that idols are nothing in themselves and that Christians can eat most food offered in the marketplace or at pagan festivals without sin. However, he warns against participating in actual acts of worship at an idol's temple or any activity that would associate them with idolatry. This specific verse addresses a hypothetical scenario: what if someone points out that the meat was specifically offered to an idol? Paul permits eating it, but with thanksgiving, distinguishing it from idol worship.

1 Corinthians 10 28 Word Analysis

• Εάν (Ean) - "If." A conditional particle, introducing a hypothetical situation.
• τις (tis) - "anyone." Indefinite pronoun, referring to any person, whether Christian or non-believer.
• λέγει (legei) - "says" or "declares." Present tense, indicating an ongoing or stated declaration.
• πρός (pros) - "to" or "against." Preposition indicating the direction of the statement.
• ὑμᾶς (hymas) - "you" (plural). Addressing the Corinthian believers.
• εἰδωλόθυτον (eidōlothytion) - "sacrificed to an idol." Noun referring to food that has been offered in a sacrificial manner to an idol.
  • This term is a compound of eidōlon (idol) and thysia (sacrifice).
• καὶ (kai) - "and." Conjunction connecting clauses.
• εἰπῇ (eipē) - "should say." Aorist subjunctive of legō, indicating a potential statement.
• οὐ (ou) - "not." Negation.
• διὰ (dia) - "because of" or "for the sake of."
• συνείδησιν (syneidēsin) - "conscience." Accusative case of syneidēsis. Refers to inner moral awareness or understanding.
  • This word relates to the internal witness of one's own heart, crucial in the preceding verses (8:7, 10, 12).
• εἰδωλοθύτων (eidōlothyton) - "sacrificed to an idol" (genitive plural). The object to which the conscience refers.
• ἀλλὰ (alla) - "but." Adversative conjunction, contrasting the next clause.
• διὰ (dia) - "because of" or "for the sake of."
• τὴν (tēn) - "the" (definite article, feminine accusative singular).
• ἐκείνου (ekeinou) - "that person's." Genitive pronoun referring back to the "anyone" who spoke.
  • This specifies the conscience is that of the one who is speaking, not the eater.
• συνείδησιν (syneidēsin) - "conscience."
• καὶ (kai) - "and."
• ἐὰν (ean) - "if." Another conditional particle.
• πίνῃ (pinē) - "he drinks" (or eats in this context, pineō can refer to consuming food and drink). Present subjunctive of pinō.
• μὴ (mē) - "not." Negation.
• ἐλέγχου (elenchou) - "examination" or "proof." Genitive singular of elenchos. Here, "without testing/examining for yourself."
• ἐὰν (ean) - "if."
• καὶ (kai) - "and."
• πίνῃ (pinē) - "he drinks" (or eats).
• εὐχαριστῶν (eucharistōn) - "giving thanks." Present participle from eucharisteō.
  • This implies thanks to God for the food, recognizing His provision, thereby implicitly rejecting the idol's significance.

Group of Words Analysis:

• "If anyone declares to you, 'This has been offered to idols'": Paul acknowledges that not everyone may know the truth about idols. If informed that food has been sacrificed, the knowledge needs to be considered. The focus is on knowing that it was offered.
• "Do not eat it for the sake of conscience": The conscience being referenced is that of the informant, the one who declared it was sacrificed to idols. Paul previously instructed believers not to cause a "weaker" brother's conscience to sin (1 Cor 8:12-13). This implies the eater should consider the implication for the informant, if the informant is also a Christian and struggles with it.
• "but for the sake of the one who spoke": This rephrasing, focusing on "the sake of the one who spoke," can be understood as "for the sake of his conscience" (as the previous "conscience" was general) or, perhaps more precisely as some scholars suggest, the emphasis is on respecting his declaration and the conviction behind it, whether or not he is truly aware of the implication of his words for himself. If he genuinely states it because he believes it’s tainted and he's informing you, you refrain out of respect for his testimony or belief system.
• "or rather for the sake of his conscience, and if he eats." Some translations emphasize that Paul permits eating if the speaker is not troubled, or if the act is done "thanksgivingly." The common interpretation of the Greek is more directly related to eating/drinking "thanksgivingly." If one eats and drinks with thanksgiving to God, it separates the act from any connection to the idol.

The final clause about eating "with thanksgiving" is crucial. It signifies acknowledging God as the ultimate provider and owner of the food, thus negating any spiritual efficacy or claim by the idol.

1 Corinthians 10 28 Bonus Section

The phrase "thanksgiving" (eucharistōn) here directly links to the Lord's Supper, which is a central act of thanksgiving for Christians. By giving thanks to God for the food, the believer implicitly participates in a spiritual communion with Christ, placing them on a different plane of existence than the idol worshiper. It's an act of affirming who the true God is and His authority over all creation. This understanding strengthens the prohibition against participating in the Lord's "cup" and the "table of demons" in the earlier part of the chapter (1 Cor 10:21). By giving thanks, the believer "claims" the food as part of God's provision, as stated in verse 26.

1 Corinthians 10 28 Commentary

Paul provides a concession on the matter of food sacrificed to idols. If a fellow believer (or even a non-believer with certain scruples) informs you that the food was sacrificed to an idol, you should refrain if doing so is to avoid troubling that person's conscience, especially if they are a fellow believer who might be led astray by your actions. However, if the food is eaten, it should be done with thankfulness to God. This act of thanksgiving publicly acknowledges God's ultimate ownership and blessing of the food, thus dissociating it from any pagan ritual and purifying it for the believer's use. It is a demonstration that the Christian eats by God's grace, not under the influence or power of idols. This balances Christian liberty with loving consideration for weaker brethren and a clear testimony against idolatry.

Practical examples:

• If a Christian friend states they cannot eat certain food because it was specifically sacrificed to an idol and they find it conscience-troubling, you would respectfully choose something else to eat in their presence.
• However, if you are at a public venue and offered food, and someone mentions it was sold from a market stall that also sells idol sacrifices, but they are not concerned about it, and you are confident in your understanding that the food itself is neutral and offered to God with thanksgiving, you may eat it.
• The key is to discern the motive and impact. If it dishonors God or harms another believer, abstain. If it can be received with thanksgiving to God, then it is permissible.