1 Corinthians 8:13
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Study Note
Study Note
'Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend' — Paul's personal vow demonstrates that Christian liberty is self-limiting when its exercise damages a weaker believer's conscience. The hyperbolic 'while the world standeth' ('eis ton aiōna' — literally 'for ever') expresses the absolute character of the commitment: his brother's spiritual welfare permanently outweighs his own lawful freedom. The verse stands at the ethical heart of 1 Corinthians 8–10's extended discussion of idolothyta (idol food), concluding with Paul's own apostolic example in chapter 9 as a model of freedom voluntarily relinquished for the sake of others' growth.
Other Translations
Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.
wherefore, if victuals cause my brother to stumble, I may eat no flesh--to the age--that my brother I may not cause to stumble.
For this reason, if food is a cause of trouble to my brother, I will give up taking meat for ever, so that I may not be a cause of trouble to my brother.
Cross References
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is …
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I …
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; …
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain …
And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that …
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?