1 Corinthians 8:9 kjv
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9 nkjv
But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9 niv
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9 esv
But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9 nlt
But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.
1 Corinthians 8 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 8:1 | "Now concerning things offered to idols: we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." | Spiritual maturity vs. pride |
| 1 Corinthians 8:2 | "And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know." | Humility in knowledge |
| 1 Corinthians 8:7 | "However, there is not this knowledge in all people. For some, with conscience of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled." | Weak consciences defiled |
| 1 Corinthians 8:11 | "And through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?" | Destruction of the weak brother |
| 1 Corinthians 10:23 | "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but not all things edify." | Lawful vs. beneficial |
| 1 Corinthians 10:24 | "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's wellbeing." | Seeking others' good |
| 1 Corinthians 10:31 | "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." | Doing all for God's glory |
| Romans 14:13 | "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this: not to put a stumbling block or a cause of offense in a brother’s way." | Not causing offense |
| Romans 14:15 | "For if your brother is injured because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died." | Love leading to the destruction of others |
| Romans 14:20 | "Do not break down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense." | Not destroying God's work |
| Romans 15:1 | "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." | Bearing with the weak |
| Galatians 5:13 | "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an occasion for the flesh, but through love serve one another." | Liberty used in love |
| Ephesians 4:1 | "I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called." | Walking worthy of calling |
| Philippians 2:3 | "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than himself." | Humility and esteeming others |
| Colossians 3:12 | "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering." | Virtues to put on |
| 1 Peter 3:15 | "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." | Giving defense with meekness |
| Matthew 18:6 | "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea." | Consequences of causing sin |
| Proverbs 20:10 | "Various weights and various measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord." | Honesty and integrity |
| Mark 9:42 | "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if he had been thrown into the sea with a large millstone around his neck." | Woes for those who cause sin |
| 1 Corinthians 10:29 | "For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?" | Liberty judged by conscience |
1 Corinthians 8 verses
1 Corinthians 8 9 Meaning
Be cautious that your exercise of Christian freedom does not become a stumbling block for those who are weaker in faith.
1 Corinthians 8 9 Context
This verse is part of Paul's instruction to the Corinthian church regarding the issue of eating food offered to idols. In Corinth, a city steeped in pagan worship, meat from sacrifices was often sold in the marketplace or served at social gatherings. The Corinthians had a contentious church, with some understanding that idols were nothing and therefore eating such meat was permissible, while others with weaker consciences were troubled by it, feeling it was still associated with idolatry. Paul, in this passage, is addressing the more knowledgeable believers, cautioning them that their freedom must be tempered by love for their weaker brethren, so as not to lead them into sin or cause their conscience to be defiled. He is establishing the principle that spiritual maturity and knowledge come with the responsibility to edify and protect others in the faith, rather than using that knowledge to assert superiority or disregard the weaker.
1 Corinthians 8 9 Word Analysis
"But" (Greek: ἀλλὰ - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a contrast or caution against something. It signals a redirection or a qualifier to the previous emphasis on knowledge.
"take" (Greek: βλέπετε - blepete): This is the second person plural present active imperative of the verb βλέπω (blepo), meaning "to see," "to look," "to perceive," or "to take heed." It implies a continuous, active vigilance and caution regarding one's conduct. It's not just a momentary glance but a constant watchfulness.
"heed" (Implicit in βλέπετε): While not a separate word, the sense of "heed" is deeply embedded in the imperative form of βλέπετε, emphasizing careful attention and consideration.
"lest" (Greek: μήπως - mēpōs): A conjunction introducing a negative purpose clause. It expresses fear or a concern that a certain undesirable outcome might occur.
"by any means" (Greek: τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ - tei exousia): Lit. "your power" or "your authority." It refers to the Christian's freedom or right derived from their knowledge. The phrasing implies that this freedom, if misused, could become a weapon or cause harm.
"your" (Greek: ὑμῶν - humōn): Possessive pronoun, indicating the liberty belonging to the Corinthians who possessed this advanced knowledge.
"liberty" (Greek: ἐξουσίᾳ - exousia): This is the same word used in "your liberty." It means right, authority, power, freedom. It points to the spiritual freedom Christians have in Christ, including freedom from the dietary laws and customs of Judaism, and importantly, freedom from the perceived power of idols.
"become" (Greek: γένηται - genētai): Aorist subjunctive of γίνομαι (ginomai), meaning "to become," "to happen," or "to be." The subjunctive mood is used because it's part of a purpose clause (introduced by μήπως - mēpōs), indicating a potential consequence.
"a stumblingblock" (Greek: σκάνδαλον - skandalon): This noun originally referred to a snare, trap, or bait for catching animals. In the New Testament, it signifies anything that causes a person to stumble, sin, or fall away from the path of righteousness. It's something that offends, hinders, or entices to wrongdoing.
Grouped Words Analysis:
- "take heed lest" (βλέπετε μήπως - blepete mēpōs): This combined phrase carries a strong warning. It's a plea for active, ongoing vigilance to prevent a negative outcome. The use of both the verb for seeing/perceiving and the conjunction of negative purpose creates an urgent admonition.
- "your liberty" (τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ ὑμῶν - tei exousia humōn): This highlights that the liberty possessed by some Corinthians is precisely what needs to be exercised with caution. It’s their supposed spiritual superiority or freedom in knowledge that could inadvertently cause harm.
1 Corinthians 8 9 Bonus Section
The concept of "stumblingblock" (skandalon) is crucial in New Testament ethics. Jesus himself spoke gravely about causing these "little ones" (believers, perhaps new or immature) to stumble, even likening the punishment for such actions to drowning with a millstone (Matt 18:6, Mark 9:42). This emphasizes the serious responsibility that accompanies Christian freedom. The weaker brother's conscience, even if perceived as overly sensitive or misinformed by the stronger believer, is to be respected. Their conscience is the final arbiter of what is right or wrong for them in the Lord, and causing it to be violated is a grave matter. This is not about denying truth, but about the responsible application of truth in community, guided by love. It contrasts with legalism, which imposes rules externally, and antinomianism, which dismisses moral implications entirely; rather, it points to a biblically regulated freedom that prioritizes mutual love and edification.
1 Corinthians 8 9 Commentary
Paul urges those with a strong understanding of Christian freedom to be highly vigilant. Their knowledge of the truth that idols are nothing, and thus that eating food previously offered to idols is not inherently sinful, must not be exercised carelessly. This freedom, their "liberty," must be exercised in such a way that it does not inadvertently become a "stumblingblock" (skandalon) for those whose consciences are weaker. A stumblingblock is something that trips up, causes offense, or leads another believer into sin. The stronger Christian's actions, even if biblically permissible for them, could defile the weaker brother's conscience if that brother, seeing the stronger partake, assumes it's okay for them too and acts against their own convictions. Love, as previously emphasized, compels us to prioritize the spiritual well-being of others over the unrestricted exercise of our own rights. True spiritual maturity isn't just knowing one’s rights, but knowing how to lovefully apply them for the edification of the entire body of Christ.