1 Corinthians 8:1 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹ I now want to reply to the matter of idolatrous sacrifices [which you wrote to me about]. We know that we all possess knowledge. [Note: This may be a statement posed to Paul by the Corinthians, who seemed quite preoccupied with “knowledge”]. Knowledge [only] makes people arrogant, while love builds them up [spiritually].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹ Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹ NOW ABOUT food offered to idols: of course we know that all of us possess knowledge [concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature].

American Standard Version (1901)

¹ Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.

Common English Bible

¹ Now concerning meat that has been sacrificed to a false god: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes people arrogant, but love builds people up.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹ Now concerning those things that are sacrificed to idols: we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but charity builds up.

1 Corinthians 8:1 Cross References

Acts 15:10

Why are you putting God on trial by trying to harness the disciples with a burden [i.e., compliance with the Law of Moses], which neither our forefathers nor we could possibly bear?

Acts 15:29

Avoid [eating] things sacrificed to idols; avoid [drinking] blood; avoid [eating] things [that were] strangled [to death] and avoid sexual immorality. If you avoid [all] these things, you will be doing well. Goodbye.”

Acts 21:25

But concerning Gentile believers, we wrote [to them] our decision, that they should avoid [eating] things sacrificed to idols, from [drinking] blood, from [eating] what is strangled and from sexual immorality.”

Romans 11:25

For I want you to know this secret, brothers, so you will not become conceited: Part of the Israelites have become [spiritually] insensitive [to God], [and will remain that way] until the fullness of the Gentiles occurs. [Note: As with the Jews (verse 12), “fullness” here may mean either a large or the complete number of Gentiles who will be saved].

Romans 12:16

Do not [try to] pay back a wrong done to you by doing something wrong to the other person. Think about how to live honorably in front of all people.

Romans 14:10

But why do you [who eat only certain foods] condemn your brother [who feels he can eat anything]? Or, indeed, why do you [i.e., who feels he can eat anything] look down on your brother [i.e., who eats only certain foods]? For all of us will have to stand before the judgment bar of God.

Romans 14:14

As one who is in [fellowship with] the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that nothing in itself is [ceremonially] unclean. But to the person who considers something [ceremonially] unclean, it then becomes unclean to him.

Romans 14:19

So then, let us pursue such things that produce peace and things that build one another up [spiritually].

Romans 14:22

Therefore, whatever you believe about this matter should be held between you and God. That person is happy who does not condemn himself for practicing something he believes is right.

Romans 14:3

The person who can eat anything should not look down on the person who cannot eat [what was used in idolatrous worship]; and the person who cannot eat [such things] should not pass judgment on the person who can. For God accepts that person, too.

Romans 15:14

And I, myself, am convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, and have been filled with all kinds of knowledge and are capable of counseling one another.

1 Corinthians 1:5

For in [fellowship with] Him you people have been made [spiritually] rich in every way, through all [kinds of] speech and knowledge [Note: This probably refers to the communication and comprehension of truth represented by the spiritual gifts of languages and revelation].

1 Corinthians 10:15

I am speaking to you as [I would] to sensible people, [so] judge for yourselves what I am saying.

1 Corinthians 10:28

But if anyone says to you, “This [food] has been offered as a sacrifice [to an idol],” do not eat it, for the sake of the person who pointed this out to you, and for conscience’ sake ---

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brothers, do not be children in the way you think, but be babies in wrongdoing; yet be mature in your thinking.

1 Corinthians 15:34

Come to your senses; do what is right and stop sinning. Some of you do not know God [i.e., in a personal way] I am saying this to make you ashamed.

1 Corinthians 4:10

We are “fools” for Christ’s sake, but you people [think you] are “wise” in [the fellowship of] Christ. We are weak, but you people [think you] are “strong.” You are honored, but we are despised.

1 Corinthians 4:18

Now some of you have become arrogant, thinking that I would not [dare to] come to you.

1 Corinthians 4:6

Now I have applied these things, brothers, to myself and to Apollos as an illustration for your benefit, so that you might learn to “follow the written message.” [Note: This is thought to have been a common way of referring, in that day, to the importance of adhering to Old Testament Scripture]. So, none of you should be more proud of one [leader] than of another.

1 Corinthians 5:2

And you are arrogant [about it] instead [of being ashamed] Should you not be grieved to the point of removing from your fellowship the person who has done this [terrible] deed?

1 Corinthians 5:6

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast can leaven the whole batch of dough?

1 Corinthians 8:2

If anyone thinks he knows something, he [really] does not know as much as he ought to.

1 Corinthians 8:4

Now concerning [the matter of] eating foods [once] offered as sacrifices to idols, we know that an idol is [really] nothing in the world [at all], and that there is only one God.

1 Corinthians 8:7

However, not every person knows this [truth]. For some people have been so used to an idol all this time that they still think of the idol [as a reality] when eating food that has been sacrificed to it. And their weak conscience becomes polluted. [Note: These people cannot seem to shake off the idea that somehow the idol is real, so feel guilty of wrongdoing when eating food sacrificed to it].

Ephesians 4:16

From Him all [members of] the body are properly joined together by every supporting ligament, as each part contributes to the growth of the body and builds itself up through [mutual] love.

Colossians 2:18

Do not allow anyone, who delights in acting humble [i.e., living an ascetic life] and who worships angels, to rob you of your reward [in heaven]. [Note: This “angel worship” could mean holding angels in high regard because of their role as God’s messengers, or the claim that God can be approached only through angelic intermediaries]. He places great importance on what he [claims to] see [i.e., visions], being inflated with pride by his fleshly mind for no [good] reason.

Revelation 2:14

“But I have a few things against you because you have people there [in the church] who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites, [causing them] to eat food sacrificed to idols and to be sexually immoral [See Num. 23-24].

Revelation 2:20

But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman [named] Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and deceives my servants into [practicing] sexual immorality and into eating things sacrificed to idols.