1 Corinthians 10:28

26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat anything set before you without raising questions of conscience.

But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—

29 the other one’s conscience, I mean, not your own. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience?

30 If I partake in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—
KJV
But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:
WEB
But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, with all its fullness.”
ASV
But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake:
DARBY
But if any one say to you, This is offered to holy purposes, do not eat, for his sake that pointed it out, and conscience sake;
BLB
But if anyone should say to you⁺, “This is offered to an idol,” do not eat [it], because of the one having informed [you], and conscience—
ÅB
Men dersom noen sier til dere: Dette er avguds-offer, da la være å spise det, for hans skyld som sa dere det, og for samvittighetens skyld!
OTB
Men hvis noen sier til dere, "Dette har blitt ofret," så spis det ikke, for den som informerte dere, og for samvittighetens skyld;
B1930
Men dersom nogen sier til eder: Dette er avguds-offer, da la være å ete det, for hans skyld som sa eder det, og for samvittighetens skyld!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Corinthians 8:10–13

    For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols?

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 8:7

    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.

    Read in context
  • Romans 14:15

    If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 10:26

    for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

    Read in context
  • Matthew 6:31–32

    Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

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  • Psalms 115:16

    The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 27:5–6

    By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 9:29

    Moses said to him, “When I have left the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.

    Read in context