I Corinthians 8:13
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Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to stumble.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
meat--Old English for "food" in general. make . . . to offend--Greek, "is a stumbling-block to." no flesh--In order to ensure my avoiding flesh offered to idols, I would abstain from all kinds of flesh, in order not to be a stumbling-block to my brother. Next: 1 Corinthians Chapter 9
Open source ↗The apostle, in this chapter, answers another case proposed to him by some of the Corinthians, about eating those things that had been sacrificed to idols. I. He hints at the occasion of this case, and gives a caution against too high an esteem of their knowledge (Co1 8:1-3). II. He asserts the vanity of idols, the unity of the Godhead, and the sole mediation of Christ between God and man (Co1 8:4-6). III. He tells them that upon supposition that it were lawful in itself to eat of things offered to idols (for that they themselves are nothing), yet regard must be had to the weakness of Christian brethren, and nothing done that would lay a stumbling block before them, and occasion their sin and destruction (Co1 8:7 to the end).
Open source ↗8:13 Personal rights must be subordinated to the larger commitment not to cause another believer to stumble.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?
“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.
If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.