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1 Corinthians 8:9

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 8:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.
1 Corinthians 8:9 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.
7Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as [of] a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.
9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.
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.
← 1 Corinthians 8:81 Corinthians 8:10 →
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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
“But take heed lest by any means, etc.] This is either a reply to the instance of such as argued in favour of eating things offered to idols; or a limitation and explanation of the apostle’s own concession, that it made a man, with respect to the favour of God, neither better nor worse: yet care should be taken, lest this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak; he owns they had a liberty, or a right, or power, as the word may be rendered, of eating, or not eating, as they pleased; but then they ought to be cautious, lest they should be the means of offending, or causing to offend, such who were weak in the faith, and had not that knowledge of Christian liberty they…”
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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
“this liberty of yours--the watchword for lax Corinthians. The very indifference of meats, which I concede, is the reason why ye should "take heed" not to tempt weak brethren to act against their conscience (which constitutes sin, Rom 14:22-23).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But take heed - This is the reply of Paul to the argument of the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 8:8. “Though all that you say should be admitted to be true, as it must be; though a man is neither morally better nor worse for partaking of meat or abstaining from it; yet the grand principle to be observed is, so to act as not to injure your brethren. Though you may be no better or worse for eating or not eating, yet if your conduct shall injure others, and lead them into sin, that is a sufficient guide to determine you what to do in the case. You should abstain entirely. It is of far more importance that your brother should not be led into sin, than it is that you should partake of meat which…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:9-10 Believers must be careful that what they do (such as eating sacrificial meat) does not cause others . . . to stumble (cp. Rom 14:13, 20-21; Gal 5:13).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“take: Co1 8:10, Co1 10:24, Co1 10:29; Mat 18:6, Mat 18:7, Mat 18:10; Luk 17:1, Luk 17:2; Rom 14:20, Rom 14:21; Gal 5:13; Pe1 2:16; Pe2 2:19 liberty: or, power a stumblingblock: Co1 10:32; Lev 19:14; Isa 57:14; Eze 14:3, Eze 44:12; Rom 14:13-15, Rom 14:20; Gal 5:13; Rev 2:14 weak: Co1 8:12, Co1 9:22; Isa 35:3; Rom 14:1, Rom 14:2, Rom 15:1; Co2 11:21 1 Corinthians 8:10”
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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