1 Corinthians 8:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.

NIV: So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.

NASB: For through your knowledge the one who is weak is ruined, the brother or sister for whose sake Christ died.

CSB: So the weak person, the brother or sister for whom Christ died, is ruined by your knowledge.

NLT: So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed.

KJV: And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

NKJV: And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

Those in Corinth challenging Paul's restrictions on eating food offered to idols began by pointing to their knowledge. They know the idols are fake gods. They know that God is the only God. Knowing this gives them to freedom to eat idol food. Paul has agreed that idol food, in and of itself, is not evil, just as the false gods are not real. He does not disagree with what the Corinthians know, but he does disagree with the application of their knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:1–6).

The problem is that some Christians do not know what these others know. Referring to them as "weaker," Paul implies they are not convinced the false gods do not exist. They are not clear in their consciences about eating idol food. For them, then, Paul has said, to eat that food is sin. Scripture makes this a strong point: violating one's conscience, alone, is itself a sin (Romans 14:23).

The concern is that if some in Corinth carelessly exercise their right to eat idol food, they will lead "weaker" believers to participate, despite it being against the "weak" person's conscience. This is what Paul meant in verse 9, where he used the term proskomma, referring to something a person might trip over: a "stumbling block."

Unless they consider the conscience of others, the Corinthians risk using knowledge which makes them free to eat in a way that spiritually harms brothers and sisters who do not have that knowledge. They will be "destroyed," taken from the Greek root apollumi, meaning something ruined or lost. This "ruin" is in the sense of sinning by violating their own consciences, not destroyed in the sense of losing their salvation (John 10:28).

Paul reminds the Corinthians, pointedly, that Christ has died for these people who have weak consciences. Is it too much to ask for the Corinthians to skip eating idol food for their sake? Even if the act, itself, is allowed for a Christian, the conscience of a "weaker" believer must be taken into account. That fellow believer needs to be lovingly discipled, and helped to grow into a "strong" conscience, not carelessly exposed to something for which they are unprepared.

First Corinthians 8:1–13 begins Paul's longer response to the question of attending functions in idol temples or eating food offered to idols. This appears to blend Paul's own statements with references to the Corinthians' own remarks. It seems the Corinthians had previously written to Paul saying they are not ''worshiping'' the idols. They know idols don't really exist and that only God is real. Paul replies that the problem here is not lack of knowledge but lack of love. Some brothers and sisters in Christ cannot eat idol food with clear consciences. Those who are stronger risk leading those who are weaker into sin and, in that way, sinning themselves.

Paul responds to Corinthian objections about restrictions on eating in idol temples, or eating food offered to idols. Those were activities deeply integrated into everyday Corinthian society. Paul agrees that idols are nothing and food is only food. The problem is that some Christians from idol-worshiping backgrounds cannot eat idol food with a clear conscience. To do so is sin, for them. If those with stronger consciences—those who understand the truth better—lead their weaker brothers into sin, they themselves will also be guilty of sinning against their brothers and against Christ.

First Corinthians 8 begins Paul's response to another issue raised by the Corinthians. Earlier passages dealt with sexuality; this section discusses idolatry and food. Paul agrees that idols don't truly exist and only God is real. The problem is that some of the less-developed Christians aren't convinced of that. For those believers, they violate their consciences by eating idol food. Even if it's misguided, violating one's conscience is a sin (Romans 14:23). If those with stronger consciences lead these weaker brothers and sisters into sin, they will be guilty of sin themselves. Paul continues to balance liberty with care for others over the next chapters.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.