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Food Offered to Idols

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.(A) Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge,(B) but anyone who loves God is known by him.(C)

Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists” and that “there is no God but one.”(D) Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.(E)

It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.(F) “Food will not bring us close to God.”[a] We are no worse off if we do not eat and no better off if we do.(G) But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.(H) 10 For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? 11 So by your knowledge the weak brother or sister for whom Christ died is destroyed.(I) 12 But when you thus sin against brothers and sisters and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never again eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.(J)

The Rights of an Apostle

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?(K) If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.(L)

This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink?(M) Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife,[b] as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?(N) Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?(O) Who at any time pays the expenses for doing military service? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not get any of its milk?(P)

Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law also say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?(Q) 10 Or does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was indeed written for our sake, for whoever plows should plow in hope and whoever threshes should thresh in hope of a share in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we harvest material[c] things?(R) 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we still more?

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.(S) 13 Do you not know that those who work in the temple service get their food from the temple and those who serve at the altar share in what is sacrificed on the altar?(T) 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.(U)

15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this so that they may be applied in my case. Indeed, I would rather die than that—no one will deprive me of my ground for boasting! 16 If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a wage, but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.(V) 18 What then is my wage? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.

19 For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might gain all the more.(W) 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to gain Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might gain those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not outside God’s law but am within Christ’s law) so that I might gain those outside the law.(X) 22 To the weak I became weak, so that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I might become a partner in it.

24 Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.(Y) 25 Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.(Z) 26 So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air, 27 but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.(AA)

Warnings from Israel’s History

10 I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,(AB) and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food,(AC) and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.(AD) Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.(AE)

Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did.(AF) Do not become idolaters as some of them did, as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.”(AG) We must not engage in sexual immorality, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.(AH) We must not put Christ[d] to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents.(AI) 10 And do not complain, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.(AJ) 11 These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come.(AK) 12 So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. 13 No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.(AL)

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from the worship of idols.(AM) 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.(AN) 18 Consider the people of Israel:[e] Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar?(AO) 19 What do I imply, then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what they[f] sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.(AP) 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.(AQ) 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?(AR)

Do All to the Glory of God

23 “All things are permitted,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” but not all things build up. 24 Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other.(AS) 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26 for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.”(AT) 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— 29 I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience?(AU) 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?(AV)

31 So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.(AW) 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,(AX) 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage but that of many, so that they may be saved.(AY) 11 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.(AZ)

Head Coverings

I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions just as I handed them on to you.(BA) But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man[g] is the head of the woman,[h] and God is the head of Christ.(BB) Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head shames his head,(BC) but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled shames her head—it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair, but if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil. For a man ought not to have his head veiled, since he is the image and reflection[i] of God, but woman is the reflection[j] of man.(BD) Indeed, man was not made from woman but woman from man.(BE) Neither was man created for the sake of woman but woman for the sake of man.(BF) 10 For this reason a woman ought to have authority over her head,[k] because of the angels.(BG) 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man or man independent of woman. 12 For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman, but all things come from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that, if a man wears long hair, it is dishonoring to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 But if anyone is disposed to be contentious—we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.(BH)

Abuses at the Lord’s Supper

17 Now in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it.(BI) 19 Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine.(BJ) 20 When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For when the time comes to eat, each of you proceeds to eat your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. 22 What! Do you not have households to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you!

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread,(BK) 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for[l] you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.(BL)

Partaking of the Supper Unworthily

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord.(BM) 28 Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup.(BN) 29 For all who eat and drink[m] without discerning the body[n] eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30 For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.[o] 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged.(BO) 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined[p] so that we may not be condemned along with the world.(BP)

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If you are hungry, eat at home,[q] so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation. About the other things I will give instructions when I come.(BQ)

Footnotes

  1. 8.8 The quotation may extend to the end of the verse
  2. 9.5 Gk a sister as wife
  3. 9.11 Gk fleshly
  4. 10.9 Other ancient authorities read the Lord
  5. 10.18 Gk Israel according to the flesh
  6. 10.20 Other ancient authorities read the gentiles
  7. 11.3 Or husband
  8. 11.3 Or wife
  9. 11.7 Or glory
  10. 11.7 Or glory
  11. 11.10 Or have freedom of choice regarding her head
  12. 11.24 Other ancient authorities read is broken for
  13. 11.29 Other ancient authorities add in an unworthy manner,
  14. 11.29 Other ancient authorities read the Lord’s body
  15. 11.30 Gk fallen asleep
  16. 11.32 Or When we are judged, we are being disciplined by the Lord
  17. 11.34 Gk in a household

Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

Now about food sacrificed to idols:(A) We know that “We all possess knowledge.”(B) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something(C) do not yet know as they ought to know.(D) But whoever loves God is known by God.[a](E)

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols:(F) We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world”(G) and that “There is no God but one.”(H) For even if there are so-called gods,(I) whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God,(J) the Father,(K) from whom all things came(L) and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord,(M) Jesus Christ, through whom all things came(N) and through whom we live.

But not everyone possesses this knowledge.(O) 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,(P) it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God;(Q) we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block(R) to the weak.(S) 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?(T) 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed(U) by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them(V) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.(W) 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.(X)

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

Am I not free?(Y) Am I not an apostle?(Z) Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?(AA) Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?(AB) Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal(AC) of my apostleship in the Lord.

This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don’t we have the right to food and drink?(AD) Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife(AE) along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers(AF) and Cephas[b]?(AG) Or is it only I and Barnabas(AH) who lack the right to not work for a living?

Who serves as a soldier(AI) at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard(AJ) and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”[c](AK) Is it about oxen that God is concerned?(AL) 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us,(AM) because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.(AN) 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?(AO) 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right.(AP) On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder(AQ) the gospel of Christ.

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?(AR) 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.(AS)

15 But I have not used any of these rights.(AT) And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.(AU) 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.(AV) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;(AW) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.(AX) 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,(AY) and so not make full use of my rights(AZ) as a preacher of the gospel.

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

19 Though I am free(BA) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,(BB) to win as many as possible.(BC) 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.(BD) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),(BE) so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(BF) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),(BG) so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.(BH) I have become all things to all people(BI) so that by all possible means I might save some.(BJ) 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Need for Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?(BK) Run(BL) in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown(BM) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.(BN) 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;(BO) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.(BP) 27 No, I strike a blow to my body(BQ) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(BR)

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant(BS) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud(BT) and that they all passed through the sea.(BU) They were all baptized into(BV) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food(BW) and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock(BX) that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.(BY)

Now these things occurred as examples(BZ) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters,(CA) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[d](CB) We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.(CC) We should not test Christ,[e](CD) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.(CE) 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did(CF)—and were killed(CG) by the destroying angel.(CH)

11 These things happened to them as examples(CI) and were written down as warnings for us,(CJ) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.(CK) 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,(CL) be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[f] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;(CM) he will not let you be tempted[g] beyond what you can bear.(CN) But when you are tempted,[h] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

14 Therefore, my dear friends,(CO) flee from idolatry.(CP) 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break(CQ) a participation in the body of Christ?(CR) 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,(CS) for we all share the one loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices(CT) participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(CU) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(CV) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.(CW) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(CX) Are we stronger than he?(CY)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(CZ) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(DA)

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(DB) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[i](DC)

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(DD) without raising questions of conscience. 28 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.(DE) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(DF) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(DG)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(DH) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(DI) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(DJ) 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(DK) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(DL) so that they may be saved.(DM) 11 Follow my example,(DN) as I follow the example of Christ.(DO)

On Covering the Head in Worship

I praise you(DP) for remembering me in everything(DQ) and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.(DR) But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ,(DS) and the head of the woman is man,[j](DT) and the head of Christ is God.(DU) Every man who prays or prophesies(DV) with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies(DW) with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.(DX) For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

A man ought not to cover his head,[k] since he is the image(DY) and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;(DZ) neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.(EA) 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[l] head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.(EB)

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.(EC)

Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper(ED)

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you,(EE) for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions(EF) among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.(EG) 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers.(EH) As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God(EI) by humiliating those who have nothing?(EJ) What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you?(EK) Certainly not in this matter!

23 For I received from the Lord(EL) what I also passed on to you:(EM) The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body,(EN) which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant(EO) in my blood;(EP) do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.(EQ)

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.(ER) 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves(ES) before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.(ET) 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.(EU) 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined(EV) so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.(EW)

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry(EX) should eat something at home,(EY) so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come(EZ) I will give further directions.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 8:3 An early manuscript and another ancient witness think they have knowledge do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves truly knows.
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:5 That is, Peter
  3. 1 Corinthians 9:9 Deut. 25:4
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  9. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1
  10. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or of the wife is her husband
  11. 1 Corinthians 11:7 Or Every man who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with no covering of hair dishonors her head—she is just like one of the “shorn women.” If a woman has no covering, let her be for now with short hair; but since it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair shorn or shaved, she should grow it again. A man ought not to have long hair
  12. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Or have a sign of authority on her