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1 Corinthians 8:13

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 8:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.
1 Corinthians 8:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol`s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?
11For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.
12And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.
13Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.
← 1 Corinthians 8:121 Corinthians 9:1 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend, etc.] This is the conclusion of the whole, which the apostle makes with respect to himself, and proposes for the imitation of others; that since an imprudent use of Christian liberty, in this article of eating things offered to idols, might be attended with such bad consequences, as to lay a stumblingblock in the way of weak Christians, and be a means of emboldening them to do things contrary to their consciences, and so break the peace of their minds, wound their spirits, grieve and afflict their souls, and not only so, but so to do would be to sin against Christ himself; rather than do any of these things, or be accessary to them, he determines,…”
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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
“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”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore - As the conclusion of the whole matter. If meat ... - Paul here proposes his own views and feelings, or tells them how he would act in order to show them how they should act in these circumstances. Make my brother to offend - Lead him into sin; or shall be the cause of leading him into error and guilt. It does not mean, if the eating of meat should “enrage or irritate” another; but if it is the occasion of his being led into transgression. How this might be done is stated in 1 Corinthians 8:10. I will eat no flesh ... - My eating meat is a matter of comparative unimportance. I can dispense with it It is of much less importance to me than happiness, a good conscience, and salvation…”
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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
“If meat - Of any kind. Who will follow this example? What preacher or private Christian will abstain from any thing lawful in itself, when it offends a weak brother? Next: 1 Corinthians Chapter 9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:13 Personal rights must be subordinated to the larger commitment not to cause another believer to stumble.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“if meat: Co1 6:12, Co1 9:12, Co1 9:19-23, Co1 10:33, Co1 11:1, Co1 13:5; Rom 14:21; Co2 11:29; Ti2 3:8, Ti2 3:9 Next: 1 Corinthians Chapter 9”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Corinthians 8 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification