1 Corinthians 10:28

But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers regarding communal meals and the consumption of meat linked to pagan worship. He responds to a specific contingency where a host or fellow guest explicitly identifies the food as ritually dedicated to idols.

The words — The Greek ἱερóθυτον (hierothyton) literally means “temple-sacrifice,” denoting meat consecrated in pagan cultic practice. The conditional particle ἐὰν (ean) “if” restricts the command to this disclosed scenario rather than establishing a blanket prohibition.

The thread — The passage operates within the same conscience framework as 1 Corinthians 8:7 on those accustomed to idols, 1 Corinthians 8:10 on the weak observer, and Romans 14:15 on not distressing a brother through dietary choices.

Why it lands — The text commands refusal of the meal once the food is explicitly named as an idol-offering, prioritizing the informant’s conscience over personal liberty. It requires readers to voluntarily limit their freedom to prevent causing spiritual harm to others.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 8:10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols?
Romans 14:15 If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.
1 Corinthians 8:7 But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
1 Corinthians 10:26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”
Psalms 115:16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.
Jeremiah 27:5 By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please.
Matthew 6:31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
Exodus 9:29 Moses said to him, “When I have left the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.
Deuteronomy 10:14 Behold, to the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, and the earth and everything in it.
Psalms 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein.