1 Corinthians 8 7

1 Corinthians 8:7 kjv

Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

1 Corinthians 8:7 nkjv

However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

1 Corinthians 8:7 niv

But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.

1 Corinthians 8:7 esv

However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

1 Corinthians 8:7 nlt

However, not all believers know this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated.

1 Corinthians 8 verses

1 Corinthians 8 7 Meaning

The verse explains that not all believers possess the same level of spiritual knowledge regarding certain practices. Some have a weaker understanding or conscience concerning issues that are, in themselves, permissible (like eating food sacrificed to idols).

1 Corinthians 8 7 Context

First Corinthians chapter 8 addresses the issue of eating food sacrificed to idols, a common practice in the Greco-Roman world. Corinth was a city deeply involved in idol worship, with meat from idol temples often being sold in the marketplace or offered at banquets. Some Corinthian Christians, possessing what they considered advanced spiritual knowledge, argued that since idols were nothing and true Christians had moved beyond such practices, it was permissible to eat this food without reservation. Paul, however, is addressing the practical implications of this knowledge and the potential harm it could cause to fellow believers, especially those with a weaker understanding and a sensitive conscience. This particular verse highlights the reality that not everyone in the Corinthian church shared the same level of enlightenment on this matter.

1 Corinthians 8 7 Word Analysis

• Ἀλλ’ (all'): A conjunction, meaning "but" or "however." It introduces a contrast to the preceding statement.
• οὐκ (ouk): The negative particle, meaning "not." It negates the following verb or phrase.
• ἐν (en): A preposition, meaning "in" or "among." Here, it signifies possessing or having within.
• πᾶσιν (pashin): The dative plural of πᾶς (pas), meaning "all" or "every." It indicates "all" or "everyone."
• τῇ (tē): The dative feminine singular of the definite article ὁ (ho), meaning "the." It specifies "the" knowledge.
• γ sprzęwsıcı (gnosei): The dative singular of γνῶσις (gnōsis), meaning "knowledge" or "understanding." It refers to the specific awareness of these matters.
• ὑπάρχει (uparchē): The third-person singular present active indicative of ὑπάρχω (uparchō), meaning "to exist," "to be," or "to possess." It indicates that this knowledge does not exist or is not present in everyone.
• οἱ (hoi): The nominative masculine plural of the definite article ὁ (ho), meaning "the." It refers to "some people."
• μὲν (men): An enclitic particle used for contrast or distinction, often paired with δὲ (de). It marks the first part of a contrast.
• οὖν (oun): A conjunction meaning "therefore" or "then." In some contexts, it can have a mild adversative sense, or simply link ideas. Here, it emphasizes the contrast with the previous general statement about knowledge.
• ἀσθενεῖ (asthenē): The third-person singular present active indicative of ἀσθενέω (asthenēō), meaning "to be weak" or "to be feeble." It describes the condition of their conscience.
• τῇ (tē): The dative feminine singular of the definite article ὁ (ho), meaning "the." It refers to "the" conscience.
• συνειδήσει (suneidēsei): The dative singular of συνείδησις (suneidēsis), meaning "conscience." It highlights the internal moral awareness.
• ὡς (hōs): A particle that can mean "as," "like," "so," or "that." Here, it means "as" or "like."
• εἰδωλοθύτου (eidōlothytou): The genitive singular of εἴδωλόθυτος (eidōlothytos), a compound word from εἴδωλον (eidōlon) meaning "idol" and θύω (thyō) meaning "to sacrifice." It literally means "sacrificed to an idol." It modifies the implicit noun referring to food or sacrifice.
• ἐσθίουσιν (esthiousin): The third-person plural present active indicative of ἐσθίω (esthiō), meaning "to eat." It indicates the action of eating. The accusative ending implies they eat something described as "idol's sacrifice."
• κοινοῦ (koinou): The genitive singular of κοινός (koinos), meaning "common," "unclean," or "profane." This is often contrasted with "clean." When used with idol sacrifices, it refers to food considered contaminated by pagan association.
• ἐστιν (estin): The third-person singular present active indicative of εἰμί (eimi), meaning "to be." It states that the food "is" something.

Word Group Analysis:

• "οὐκ ἐν πᾶσιν τῇ γνώσει" (ouk en pashin tē gnosei): This phrase translates to "not in all the knowledge" or "not everyone has this knowledge." It emphasizes that spiritual discernment and understanding regarding the implications of eating sacrificed food are not universal among believers.
• "τῇ συνειδήσει ὡς εἰδωλοθύτου" (tē suneidēsei hōs eidōlothytou): This part describes individuals "with the conscience as of an idol sacrifice." This means their conscience is still so sensitive or improperly informed that they consider food offered to idols as truly tainted and associate eating it with idolatry itself. It refers to those whose understanding hasn't yet reached the point of distinguishing the powerless idol from the true God.

1 Corinthians 8 7 Bonus Section

The phrase "until now" (punishment of their conscience until now) in some translations indicates that their prior adherence to pagan practices or their previous understanding had trained their conscience in a specific way. This prior conditioning meant that even after converting to Christianity, their conscience still reacted to food associated with idols as if the idolatrous act were still current and binding. It points to a psychological and spiritual entanglement that needs careful, loving, and patient reorientation through biblical truth, not condemnation. This emphasizes that while Christian freedom is real, the process of truly internalizing that freedom and having a consistently well-informed conscience requires growth and nurture.

1 Corinthians 8 7 Commentary

This verse acknowledges the diversity within the church regarding spiritual understanding, particularly concerning practices like eating food sacrificed to idols. While some have attained a clear understanding that idols are nothing and the food is ultimately God's creation, others, perhaps newer in faith or lacking comprehensive teaching, still harbor anxieties. Their conscience is tied to the ritualistic association of the food with idolatry. Eating such food for them is not merely a matter of abstaining from an object that was idol property; it’s a transgression in their minds against God, linking them back to pagan worship. Paul’s aim in the broader chapter is to foster love and consideration for these weaker brethren, preventing the exercise of one’s "knowledge" from causing their downfall or spiritual offense.

• Practical Application: When discussing matters of conscience, it’s crucial to remember that not everyone possesses the same level of understanding or conviction. Personal freedoms should not be used to imperil or alienate those who are still growing in their faith.