1 Corinthians 10:32

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 10:32 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Give no occasions of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Give no occasions of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:
1 Corinthians 10:32 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
32Give no occasions of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Give none offence, etc.] Avoid everything that may be the occasion of offence, of the stumbling and falling of others; whether things indifferent, when they are offensive to weak minds, and grieve, and wound, and stumble them; especially things sinful, which as they offend God, and are therefore called “offences”, so they are offensive to the churches of Christ, and are cognizable by them; they are staggering and stumbling to weak believers, when committed by professors of religion; are the means of inducing others to sin, and of hardening profane sinners in their iniquities, and give occasion to the enemy to blaspheme: but things that are good, and are made our incumbent duty, are not to be…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Give none offence--in things indifferent (Co1 8:13; Rom 14:13; Co2 6:3); for in all essential things affecting Christian doctrine and practice, even in the smallest detail, we must not swerve from principle, whatever offense may be the result (Co1 1:23). Giving offense is unnecessary, if our own spirit cause it; necessary, if it be caused by the truth.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Give none offence - Be inoffensive; that is, do not act so as to lead others into sin; see the note at Romans 14:13. Neither to the Jews ... - To no one, though they are the foes of God or strangers to him. To the Jews be inoffensive, because they think that the least approach to idol worship is to be abhorred. Do not so act as to lead them to think that you connive at or approve idol worship, and so as to prejudice them the more against the Christian religion, and lead them more and more to oppose it. In other words, do not attend the feasts in honor of idols. Nor to the Gentiles - Greek “Greeks.” To the pagans who are unconverted. They are attached to idol worship. They seek every way to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Give no offence - If, and as far as, it is possible. 1 Corinthians 10:33”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“none: Co1 10:33, Co1 8:13; Rom 14:13; Co2 6:3; Phi 1:10 Gentiles: or, Greeks the church: Co1 11:22; Act 20:28; Ti1 3:5, Ti1 3:15 1 Corinthians 10:33”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification