Corinthians Community Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter: Verse)

Quote #4

But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall. (NRSV 1 Corinthians 8:9-13)

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. (KJV 1 Corinthians 8:9-13)

So eating food offered to idols is no biggie, right? Food is food, so who cares? But Paul warns that thoughts like these can accidentally hurt people who don't agree. For the purpose of getting along, he thinks it's better for everyone just to avoid this food (even though it's technically okay). It's kind of the equivalent of not arguing with your crazy, drunk uncle at Thanksgiving dinner. You know he's wrong, but who wants a huge fight over the turkey?

Quote #5

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. (NRSV 1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (KJV 1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

For Paul, communion is the ultimate sign of unity. The people aren't just sharing—they're sharing in Christ. Has this sentiment lasted through to the 21st century is any Christian communities?

Quote #6

"All things are lawful," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other. (NRSV 1 Corinthians 10:23-24)

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. (KJV 1 Corinthians 10:23-24)

Translation: you may be right, but that doesn't mean you're not a selfish jerk. Paul doesn't see the point in having individual knowledge if you're just using that to cut down other people.