1 Corinthians 8:12 kjv
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:12 nkjv
But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:12 niv
When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:12 esv
Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:12 nlt
And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 8:11 | "...so through your knowledge this weak brother is destroyed..." | Harm to a fellow believer |
| Rom 14:15 | "...do not destroy your brother for the sake of food." | Destroying brother for food |
| Rom 15:1 | "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak..." | Bearing weaknesses of others |
| Gal 6:10 | "...do good to all, especially to those of the household of faith." | Doing good to believers |
| 1 John 4:20 | "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar." | Love for brother is evidence |
| Matt 25:40 | "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." | Ministering to Christ by ministering to the least |
| Matt 18:6 | "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin..." | Causing offense to believers |
| John 13:34-35 | "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." | Love as a mark of discipleship |
| Eph 4:32 | "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another..." | Kindness and forgiveness towards believers |
| Col 3:12-13 | "Put on then, as God's elect, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience..." | Virtues for believers' interaction |
| Rom 12:17 | "Repay no one evil for evil..." | Not returning evil for evil |
| Rom 12:18 | "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." | Living peaceably with all |
| Prov 17:5 | "Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker..." | Mocking the poor is insulting God |
| Acts 5:3-4 | "But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit... You did not lie to man but to God.'" | Lying to the Spirit is lying to God |
| 2 Sam 12:13-14 | "David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' And Nathan said to David, 'The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless... because you have utterly scorned the Lord...'" | Sin against man, sin against God |
| 1 John 5:1 | "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God..." | Belief in Jesus brings new birth |
| 1 John 2:15-17 | "Do not love the world or the things in the world." | Worldliness vs. love for God |
| Gal 5:13 | "...by love serve one another." | Service through love |
| Heb 12:14-15 | "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God..." | Pursuing peace and holiness |
| Phil 1:9-10 | "...that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ..." | Discernment for purity |
| Rom 6:13 | "...present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness." | Presenting members to God |
| Rom 14:21 | "It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble." | Avoiding stumbling blocks |
1 Corinthians 8 verses
1 Corinthians 8 12 Meaning
When you sin against believers, harming their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8 12 Context
This verse is part of a larger discussion in 1 Corinthians 8 concerning food offered to idols. Paul is addressing a conflict within the Corinthian church: some believers, with a stronger understanding of Christian liberty, felt they could eat meat sacrificed to idols because idols were nothing. Others, with a weaker conscience, were either troubled by this or still held residual fears that it involved participation in idolatry and was therefore sinful. Paul is advocating for sensitivity and love, urging the stronger believers not to exercise their liberty in a way that would harm or cause the weaker brother to fall into sin or discouragement.
1 Corinthians 8 12 Word Analysis
Outōs (οὕτως): Thus, so, in this manner. This adverb emphasizes that the following consequence arises from the action described in the previous verses.
hamartanete (ἁμαρτάνετε): You sin (present tense). This indicates a continuous or habitual action of sinning. The emphasis is on the act of sinning itself and its nature.
eis (εἰς): Into, against. This preposition indicates the direction or target of the sin. Here, it signifies sinning "against" or "into" the brothers.
adelphous (ἀδελφοὺς): Brothers. This term refers to fellow believers in Christ, highlighting the relational aspect of the offense.
kai (καὶ): And. A conjunction connecting the two clauses.
sthenonta (σθένοντα): Weak (accusative singular masculine participle from 'stheno'). While usually meaning 'to be strong', here it’s part of a common construction "weakening," i.e., acting to the detriment of, sinning against the one who is weak. It highlights the vulnerability of the person affected by the action.
ei(s) Xriston (εἰς Χριστόν): Against Christ. This phrase conveys the profound spiritual reality that sinning against a fellow believer, especially a "weak" one, is a sin directed against Christ Himself.
Harm against fellow believers and against Christ: The connection drawn between sinning against a believer and sinning against Christ underscores the unity believers have with Christ. Harming a member of Christ's body is an offense to Christ Himself. This reflects Jesus' own words in Matthew 25:40 and Acts 9:4.
The principle of loving application: The emphasis is not on strict adherence to rules but on the loving application of freedom, considering the impact on others, particularly the weaker in faith. It's a call to prioritize the spiritual well-being of the community over personal privileges.
1 Corinthians 8 12 Bonus Section
The concept of "sinning against Christ" by sinning against His followers is foundational in Christian ethics. This perspective elevates the importance of inter-personal relationships within the church, viewing them as divinely significant. It implies that empathy, self-denial for the sake of others, and a gentle spirit are not optional virtues but expressions of fidelity to Christ. This is a key aspect of "edification" (building up the church) discussed extensively in 1 Corinthians chapters 8 and 14. The Corinthian church struggled with divisive tendencies and immature understandings of spiritual gifts, making Paul's emphasis on unity and mutual care particularly crucial for them.
1 Corinthians 8 12 Commentary
To sin against a brother or sister in Christ, particularly one with a weaker conscience, is to commit a grievous offense not merely against them, but directly against Christ Himself. Our actions towards fellow believers are intrinsically linked to our relationship with Christ due to our union with Him. Exercising your spiritual freedom, like eating food offered to idols, should always be done with profound consideration for how it might impact those with a less developed conscience, to prevent them from sinning or becoming spiritually discouraged. Love compels us to put aside personal liberties when the spiritual health of a brother or sister is at stake, as this reflects Christ-like love and respect for His body, the Church.