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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 8:8 But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/8-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/46_1Co_08_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 8:8 - Food Sacrificed to Idols" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_corinthians/8-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_corinthians/8-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/">1 Corinthians</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-7.htm" title="1 Corinthians 8:7">◄</a> 1 Corinthians 8:8 <a href="/1_corinthians/8-9.htm" title="1 Corinthians 8:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But food will not commend us to God; neither if we should eat do we come short, nor if we should not eat, do we have an advantage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now food will not bring us close to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But food will not commend us to God. We neither lack if we do not eat, nor abound if we do eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_corinthians/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now food will not commend us to God <i>nor</i> bring us close to Him; we are no worse off if we do not eat, nor are we better if we do eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_corinthians/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Food will not bring us close to God. We are not worse off if we don’t eat, and we are not better if we do eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Food will not make us acceptable to God. We are not inferior if we don&#8217t eat, and we are not better if we do eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_corinthians/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_corinthians/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But food doesn't bring us any closer to God. We are no worse off if we don't eat, and we are no better off if we do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_corinthians/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But meat will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Food will not affect our relationship with God. We are no worse off if we eat [that food] and no better off if we don't.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Food, however, will not improve our relation with God; we shall not lose anything if we do not eat, nor shall we gain anything if we do eat. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_corinthians/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />However, food will not bring us closer to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat food that has been offered to an idol, and no better off if we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no better if we do not eat, and no worse if we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_corinthians/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now food will not bring us close to God. We are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we do not eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But food commendeth us not to God: for neither if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />It is true that a particular kind of food will not bring us into God's presence; we are neither inferior to others if we abstain from it, nor superior to them if we eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_corinthians/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don’t eat are we the worse, nor if we eat are we the better. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />But food does not commend us to God, for neither if we may eat are we in advance; nor if we may not eat, are we behind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But food will not commend us to God; neither if we should eat do we come short, nor if we should not eat, do we have an advantage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> But victuals do not commend us to God, for neither if we may eat are we in advance; nor if we may not eat, are we behind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_corinthians/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And food sets us not before God: for neither, if we eat, do we abound; neither if we eat not, do we want.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But meat doth not commend us to God. For neither, if we eat, shall we have the more; nor, if we eat not, shall we have the less. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Yet food does not commend us to God. For if we eat, we will not have more, and if we do not eat, we will not have less.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now food will not bring us closer to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, nor are we better off if we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But meat does not bring us closer to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither if we do not eat, are we the worse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But food does not bring us to God, for if we eat, we gain nothing, and if we do not eat, we lose nothing.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But meat commends us not to God; for, neither if we eat are we better, nor, if we eat not, are we worse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />But meat will not commend us to God; neither if we eat are we the better; nor if we eat not are we the worse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither if we eat are we the better, or if we eat not are we the worse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_corinthians/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />meat does not recommend us to God: if we eat, we are not the better men; if we don't eat, we are not the worse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />It is true that a particular kind of food will not bring us into God's presence; we are neither inferior to others if we abstain from it, nor superior to them if we eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />But food will not commend us to God; neither, if we eat not, are we lacking; nor, if we eat, do we abound.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But meat does not recommend us to God; for neither, if we eat, are we the better; nor the worse, if we eat not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=1624" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/8.htm">Food Sacrificed to Idols</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/1033.htm" title="1033: brōma (N-NNS) -- Food of any kind. From the base of bibrosko; food, especially articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law.">food</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/3936.htm" title="3936: parastēsei (V-FIA-3S) -- Or prolonged paristano from para and histemi; to stand beside, i.e. to exhibit, proffer, recommend, substantiate; or to be at hand, aid.">does not bring us closer</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmas (PPro-A1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theō (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God:</a> <a href="/greek/3777.htm" title="3777: oute (Conj) -- And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even."></a> <a href="/greek/5302.htm" title="5302: hysteroumetha (V-PIM/P-1P) -- From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.">We are no worse</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/5315.htm" title="5315: phagōmen (V-ASA-1P) -- A primary verb; to eat.">we do not eat,</a> <a href="/greek/3777.htm" title="3777: oute (Conj) -- And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.">and</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Conj) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">no</a> <a href="/greek/4052.htm" title="4052: perisseuomen (V-PIA-1P) -- From perissos; to superabound, be in excess, be superfluous; also to cause to superabound or excel.">better</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/5315.htm" title="5315: phagōmen (V-ASA-1P) -- A primary verb; to eat.">we do.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">9</span>Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a></span><br />For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-3.htm">Romans 14:3</a></span><br />The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20-21</a></span><br />Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block. / It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16</a></span><br />Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-18.htm">Mark 7:18-19</a></span><br />“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a></span><br />A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3-5</a></span><br />They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. / For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-14.htm">Acts 10:14-15</a></span><br />“No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” / The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Hebrews 13:9</a></span><br />Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Galatians 5:6</a></span><br />For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-15.htm">Galatians 6:15</a></span><br />For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-13.htm">1 Corinthians 6:13</a></span><br />“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3-7</a></span><br />“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. / You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high. / Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a></span><br />For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a></span><br />With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But meat commends us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.</p><p class="hdg">meat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/6-13.htm">1 Corinthians 6:13</a></b></br> Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body <i>is</i> not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a></b></br> For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20-23</a></b></br> Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, … </p><p class="hdg">are we the better.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/romans/13-12.htm">Advance</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/romans/16-10.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-5.htm">Based</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-40.htm">Better</a> <a href="/romans/16-1.htm">Commend</a> <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Commendeth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-7.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-7.htm">Food</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-40.htm">God's</a> <a href="/john/2-10.htm">Inferior</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-2.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-2.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-10.htm">Others</a> <a href="/matthew/25-15.htm">Particular</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-29.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-7.htm">Superior</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-2.htm">True.</a> <a href="/john/21-5.htm">Victuals</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-10.htm">Worse</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/10-28.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-5.htm">Advance</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-24.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-33.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-1.htm">Based</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-15.htm">Better</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-2.htm">Commend</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-18.htm">Commendeth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-9.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-13.htm">Food</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-21.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-24.htm">Inferior</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-13.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-10.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-2.htm">Others</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-11.htm">Particular</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-23.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-10.htm">Superior</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-18.htm">True.</a> <a href="/genesis/14-11.htm">Victuals</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-17.htm">Worse</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">To abstain from food offered to idols.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">We must not abuse our Christian liberty, to the offense of our brothers;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-11.htm">but must bridle our knowledge with charity.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But food does not bring us closer to God:</b><br>In the context of <a href="/1_corinthians/8.htm">1 Corinthians 8</a>, Paul addresses the issue of eating food offered to idols, a common practice in Corinth due to its pagan culture. The statement emphasizes that dietary practices, such as eating or abstaining from certain foods, do not affect one's spiritual standing before God. This reflects the broader biblical teaching that external rituals or practices are not the basis of righteousness (see <a href="/mark/7-18.htm">Mark 7:18-19</a>, where Jesus declares all foods clean). The focus is on the heart and faith in Christ, rather than on ceremonial observances. This teaching aligns with the New Testament's emphasis on faith and grace over the law (<a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Galatians 5:6</a>).<p><b>We are no worse if we do not eat,</b><br>Paul reassures believers that abstaining from certain foods, particularly those associated with idol worship, does not diminish their spiritual status. This was an important clarification for early Christians who were navigating the tension between Jewish dietary laws and the freedom found in Christ. The statement underscores the principle that spiritual maturity and relationship with God are not contingent upon dietary choices. This echoes <a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a>, which states that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.<p><b>and no better if we do.</b><br>Conversely, Paul asserts that consuming such food does not enhance one's spiritual condition. This challenges any notion of spiritual elitism based on dietary practices, which was a potential issue in the diverse Corinthian church. The emphasis is on the believer's conscience and the impact of their actions on others, rather than on the act of eating itself. This teaching is consistent with the New Testament's focus on love and edification within the body of Christ (<a href="/1_corinthians/10-23.htm">1 Corinthians 10:23-24</a>). It also reflects the freedom believers have in Christ, as long as their actions are guided by love and do not cause others to stumble (<a href="/1_corinthians/8-9.htm">1 Corinthians 8:9-13</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth regarding issues of Christian liberty and conscience.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a></b><br>A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and cultural influences, including various religious practices.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/corinthian_church.htm">Corinthian Church</a></b><br>The recipients of Paul's letter, struggling with issues related to idolatry, food offered to idols, and Christian freedom.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/idolatry.htm">Idolatry</a></b><br>A prevalent practice in Corinth, where food was often sacrificed to idols, raising questions for Christians about participation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/christian_liberty.htm">Christian Liberty</a></b><br>The broader theme of <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/8.htm">1 Corinthians 8</a>, where Paul discusses the freedom believers have in Christ and its implications.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_christian_freedom.htm">Understanding Christian Freedom</a></b><br>Believers are free in Christ, but this freedom should be exercised with love and consideration for others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/food_and_spirituality.htm">Food and Spirituality</a></b><br>Our spiritual standing before God is not determined by dietary practices. True spirituality is about the heart and obedience to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/conscience_and_community.htm">Conscience and Community</a></b><br>While we have freedom, we must be mindful of how our actions affect the conscience of others in the community of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_legalism.htm">Avoiding Legalism</a></b><br>Legalism can arise when we impose non-essential practices on others as a measure of spirituality. We must focus on the essentials of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/building_up_the_body.htm">Building Up the Body</a></b><br>Our actions should aim to edify and build up the church, avoiding behaviors that might cause others to stumble in their faith.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">But meat . . . .</span>--By showing that the eating is a matter of indifference, the Apostle introduces his reason for yielding to the weakness of another. If the weakness involved a matter of our vital relation to God, then to yield would be wrong. But meat will not (future) affect our relationship to God. The concluding words of this verse are inverted in later MSS., as in the English version, and the better order is: "Neither, if we eat not, do we lose anything in our relation to God; nor, if we eat, do we gain anything in our relation to Him."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But meat commendeth us not to God;</span> rather, <span class="accented">will not recommend us.</span> God would think none the better of them for eating idol sacrifices, even though they asserted thereby a freedom which was the reward of clear insight. This verse will serve to show why "fasting" is nowhere rigidly <span class="accented">enjoined</span> on Christians. If fasting is a help to our spiritual life, then we should practise it, but with the distinct apprehension of the truth that God will think none the better of us merely because we eat less, but only if the fasting be a successful means of making us more pure and more loving. If the Bible had been in the hands of the people during the Middle Ages, this verse would have rendered impossible the idle superstition that to eat meat in Lent was one of the deadliest sins, or that there was any merit whatever in the Lenten fast except as a means of self improvement and self mastery. This verse says expressly, "We lose nothing by not eating; we gain nothing by eating." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">food</span><br /><span class="grk">βρῶμα</span> <span class="translit">(brōma)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1033.htm">Strong's 1033: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food of any kind. From the base of bibrosko; food, especially articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does not bring us closer</span><br /><span class="grk">παραστήσει</span> <span class="translit">(parastēsei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3936.htm">Strong's 3936: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or prolonged paristano from para and histemi; to stand beside, i.e. to exhibit, proffer, recommend, substantiate; or to be at hand, aid.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="grk">τῷ</span> <span class="translit">(tō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God:</span><br /><span class="grk">Θεῷ</span> <span class="translit">(Theō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">We are no worse</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑστερούμεθα</span> <span class="translit">(hysteroumetha)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5302.htm">Strong's 5302: </a> </span><span class="str2">From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐὰν</span> <span class="translit">(ean)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we do not eat,</span><br /><span class="grk">φάγωμεν</span> <span class="translit">(phagōmen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary verb; to eat.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and]</span><br /><span class="grk">οὔτε</span> <span class="translit">(oute)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3777.htm">Strong's 3777: </a> </span><span class="str2">And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">no</span><br /><span class="grk">μὴ</span> <span class="translit">(mē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[better]</span><br /><span class="grk">περισσεύομεν</span> <span class="translit">(perisseuomen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4052.htm">Strong's 4052: </a> </span><span class="str2">From perissos; to superabound, be in excess, be superfluous; also to cause to superabound or excel.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐὰν</span> <span class="translit">(ean)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we do.</span><br /><span class="grk">φάγωμεν</span> <span class="translit">(phagōmen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary verb; to eat.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 8:8 But food will not commend us (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 8:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 8:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 8:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 8:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>