1 Corinthians 8:11

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

1 Corinthians 8:11 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
English Standard Version (ESV)
11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.
New Living Translation (NLT)
11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed.
The Message Bible (MSG)
11 Christ gave up his life for that person. Wouldn't you at least be willing to give up going to dinner for him - because, as you say, it doesn't really make any difference? But it does make a difference if you hurt your friend terribly, risking his eternal ruin!
American Standard Version (ASV)
11 For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
11 In that case, your knowledge is ruining a believer whose faith is weak, a believer for whom Christ died.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
11 Then the weak person, the brother for whom Christ died, is ruined by your knowledge.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
11 If so, then your knowledge destroys that weak brother or sister for whom Christ died.

1 Corinthians 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 8:11

And through thy knowledge
These words contain an aggravation of the sin such persons are guilty of, who are the means, by their example, of ensnaring weak minds, and causing them to stumble and fall, even in some sense so as to perish:

shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
every word almost carries in it an exaggeration of this matter; it is not some slight injury that is done to the person, but even causing him to "perish"; and this is not said of any person, but a "brother", to whom the strongest affection, and strictest regard, should be shown; and a "weak" brother, of whom the greater care should be taken; and therefore it is an instance of cruelty to do damage to such an one, and that not ignorantly, which cannot be pretended, but "through thy knowledge"; not through the true use, but abuse of it: those that have knowledge should know better, and improve it to the edification, and not the destruction of fellow Christians; and all this done in a case of indifference, that might as well be let alone, of which there was no necessity for the doing of it: but what aggravates most of all is, that this affects a person for "whom Christ died"; that he had such a value for as to purchase and redeem with the price of his own blood; and yet these men made so little account of, as by so trifling a thing to risk their good and welfare. Some would from hence conclude the doctrine of universal redemption, that Christ died for all men, even for them that perish; but it should be observed, that the words are put by way of interrogation, and prove no matter of fact, even supposing they could be understood of eternal ruin and destruction; and at most only imply the danger and possibility thereof through offences given, were they not preserved by the power and grace of God through Christ, who died for them, and so will not suffer them to perish; though this is no thanks to them who lay stumblingblocks in their way, and, as much as in them lies, cause them to perish, in this sense: besides, the "perishing" of this weak brother is to be understood of his peace and comfort, and is explained by "defiling" his conscience, ( 1 Corinthians 8:7 ) by wounding it, ( 1 Corinthians 8:12 ) and making him to offend, ( 1 Corinthians 8:13 ) through an imprudent use of Christian liberty in those who had the greater knowledge, and by a participation of things offered unto idols, in an idol's temple, and not of his eternal damnation in hell; which could never enter into the apostle's thought, as to be brought about hereby, as appears from ( 1 Corinthians 8:8 ) and so is no proof of Christ's dying for such as perish eternally: for those for whom Christ has died, he has by his death procured such blessings for them, as a justifying righteousness, pardon of sin, peace with God, reconciliation unto him, and eternal salvation, which will for ever secure them from perishing in such sense.

1 Corinthians 8:11 In-Context

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?
11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Romans 14:15,20
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