The big picture
1 Corinthians 8 opens in verse 1 with “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 7 with “Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol…”, and closes in verse 13 with “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world…” Repeated or prominent terms include knowledge, weak, conscience, offered, brother. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Corinthians · King James Version · 131 Corinthians 8:1-7
1–7: As touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have…
1 Corinthians 8:1–7 opens with “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth…” and reaches “Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Corinthians 8 develops its own movement around knowledge, weak, conscience, offered, brother, with particular weight carried by idol, know, knowledge.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity…” Naming Knowledge keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” The line’s distinctive content terms include knoweth, know, nothing. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.
1 Corinthians 8:1-7
King James Version1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
1 Corinthians 8:8-13
8–13: Meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the…
1 Corinthians 8:8–13 opens with “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat…” and reaches “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Corinthians 8 develops its own movement around knowledge, weak, conscience, offered, brother, with particular weight carried by weak, brother, meat.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
1 Corinthians 8:8-13
King James Version8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Corinthians 8:1 begins with “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”
Where the chapter turns
1 Corinthians 8:6 forms a natural hinge: “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
The final note
1 Corinthians 8:13 leaves the reader with “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words knowledge, weak, conscience, offered, brother, Christ help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Why does the waiting matter?
Noah receives signs of progress but does not confuse partial improvement with the completed deliverance.
What remains unchanged after the flood?
Human inclination toward evil remains, according to verse 21; preservation rests on God's commitment.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thy
- your
- wherefore
- for that reason
- lest
- so that something does not happen
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.