Christian Liberty for Edification; Imitate Christ
1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
1Cor.10.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Παντα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- εξεστιν·αλλ᾽ου: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- συμφερει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- εξεστιν·αλλ᾽ου: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- οικοδομει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 6:12 (verbal): Uses the identical formula 'Πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν / All things are lawful' and frames Christian freedom in terms of its limits (here: not being dominated).
- 1 Corinthians 8:1 (verbal): Contrasts knowledge and love with the language of edification—'knowledge puffs up, but love builds up'—echoing 10:23's concern that not all permitted things 'build up' (οἰκοδομεῖ).
- Romans 14:19 (thematic): Commands believers to 'pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding,' developing the same principle that freedom should be exercised for the community's edification rather than mere personal liberty.
- Galatians 5:13 (thematic): Affirms Christian freedom but immediately reframes it as a call to serve one another in love, paralleling 10:23's emphasis that lawful freedom must be judged by its benefit to others.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'All things are lawful for me,' but not all things are beneficial. 'All things are lawful for me,' but I will not be mastered by anything.
- All things are lawful
1Cor.10.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- μηδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ζητειτω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- αλλα: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ετερου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Philippians 2:4 (verbal): Closely parallels wording and thought—'look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others,' echoing the injunction not to seek one's own but the other's good.
- Romans 15:1-2 (verbal): Paul urges the strong not to please themselves but to please their neighbor for edification, reflecting the same concern for others' good over self-interest.
- 1 Corinthians 10:33 (structural): In the same chapter Paul summarizes his own practice of not seeking his own profit but the profit of many, directly exemplifying the principle of 10:24.
- Mark 12:31 (thematic): Jesus' command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' provides the ethical basis for seeking the good of others rather than one's own interests.
- Galatians 6:2 (thematic): The call to 'bear one another's burdens' expresses the same ethic of prioritizing others' welfare and mutual care over self-centeredness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
- Let no one seek his own good, but that of the other.
1Cor.10.25 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- μακελλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- πωλουμενον: VERB,pres,pass,ptc,acc,sg,n
- εσθιετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- μηδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- ανακρινοντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- δια: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- συνειδησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 10:27-28 (verbal): Immediate context and near-verbatim continuation: instructs eating what is sold in the market and not inquiring about sacrifices, addressing conscience and social practice directly.
- 1 Corinthians 8:8 (thematic): Paul's teaching that food does not commend us to God—food is morally neutral—supports the principle behind eating market food without scruple about spiritual defilement.
- Romans 14:21 (thematic): Urges abstaining from things that cause a brother to stumble (e.g., meat), highlighting the conscience-and-neighbor principle that informs Paul's 'do not inquire' guidance.
- Acts 10:15 (allusion): Peter's vision (‘What God has made clean, do not call common’) provides a theological backdrop for the permissibility of eating ordinarily forbidden foods and the removal of ritual restrictions.
Alternative generated candidates
- Eat whatever is sold in the market without asking questions for the sake of conscience.
- Eat whatever is sold in the market, asking no question for the sake of conscience;
1Cor.10.26 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πληρωμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Psalm 24:1 (quotation): Exact OT source: 'The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof' — Paul echoes this line directly to assert God's ownership of creation.
- Psalm 50:12 (verbal): Similar wording: 'If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof' — reinforces divine possession of the world and its resources.
- Acts 17:24 (thematic): Paul's declaration that God 'made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth' echoes the same theme of divine sovereignty and ownership over creation.
- Colossians 1:16 (thematic): Affirms Christ's role in creation ('for by him all things were created'), connecting ownership and lordship of the world to the ruler through whom creation exists.
- Romans 11:36 (thematic): 'For from him and through him and to him are all things' — a theological affirmation that all things belong to God, paralleling the claim that the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.
- for the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.
1Cor.10.27 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- καλει: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- απιστων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- θελετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- πορευεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- παρατιθεμενον: PART,pres,mid/pass,acc,sg,n
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εσθιετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- μηδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- ανακρινοντες: PART,pres,mid/pass,nom,pl,m
- δια: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- συνειδησιν·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 10:25 (verbal): Almost identical instruction: “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market; ask no questions for conscience' sake.” Continues the same pragmatic ruling about eating without raising scruples.
- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (thematic): Discussion of food offered to idols and the role of knowledge and conscience; emphasizes that freedom to eat may be limited by love for a weaker conscience (esp. 8:9, 8:12–13).
- Romans 14:14-21 (thematic): Paul's teaching on disputable matters and food: do not judge, act according to conscience, avoid causing others to stumble, and prioritize peace and edification over exercising liberty (esp. 14:14, 14:20–21).
- Acts 10:13-15 (allusion): Peter's vision in which God declares formerly 'unclean' animals clean — addresses the ceremonial status of food and the claim that one should not call what God has made clean unclean, paralleling the permission to eat what is set before you.
Alternative generated candidates
- If an unbeliever invites you and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, giving thanks to God.
- If a nonbeliever invites you and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for the sake of conscience.
1Cor.10.28 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εαν: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ειπη·Τουτο: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- ιεροθυτον: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μη: PART
- εσθιετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- δι᾽εκεινον: PREP,gen,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- μηνυσαντα: PART,aor,act,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- συνειδησιν·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 1Cor.8.10 (verbal): Same situation and reasoning: if a weaker believer sees you eating food offered to idols he is led to sin—Paul warns that knowledge must yield to others' consciences.
- 1Cor.8.13 (verbal): Closely parallel conclusion: Paul will forgo eating meat if it causes a brother to stumble—same motive of protecting conscience and preventing harm.
- Rom.14.21 (thematic): Expresses the same ethical principle: it is good not to eat meat if doing so causes a brother to stumble, prioritizing love and conscience over liberty.
- Acts.15.29 (structural): Jerusalem Council's ruling that Gentile believers abstain from food sacrificed to idols; a communal/authoritative counterpart to Paul’s pastoral restriction in Corinth.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if anyone says to you, 'This has been sacrificed to idols,' do not eat, for the sake of the one who informed you and for conscience' sake.
- But if someone says to you, “This has been sacrificed to idols,” do not eat, for the sake of the one who informed you and for conscience’ sake;
1Cor.10.29 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- συνειδησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ουχι: PART
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ετερου·ινατι: ART,gen,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ελευθερια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- κρινεται: VERB,pres,pass,ind,3,sg
- υπο: PREP
- αλλης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- συνειδησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 (verbal): Same context in the same letter: warns that exercising Christian liberty can defile the weak—Paul’s concern that freedom be restrained because of another’s conscience closely parallels 10:29.
- Romans 14:3-4 (verbal): Argues against judging fellow believers over disputable matters and asks 'who are you to judge another's servant?'—a direct verbal/thematic echo of asking why one’s liberty should be judged by another’s conscience.
- Romans 14:14,20-21 (thematic): Paul states he is convinced nothing is inherently unclean but will forgo rights if it causes a brother to stumble—same principle of subordinating personal liberty to the conscience of others.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (thematic): Paul describes voluntarily limiting his rights and becoming 'all things to all people' to win them—illustrates the same practice of curbing liberty out of consideration for others’ consciences.
- Colossians 2:16 (allusion): 'Let no one judge you...' on matters of food and festival resonates with 10:29’s concern about being judged by another’s conscience, framing the tension between personal freedom and external judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- I mean your neighbor's conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?
- I mean not your own conscience, but the other’s. For why is my liberty to be judged by another’s conscience?
1Cor.10.30 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- χαριτι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- μετεχω: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,nom,sg,m
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- βλασφημουμαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,1,sg
- υπερ: PREP
- ου: PART,neg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ευχαριστω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Romans 14:3 (thematic): Same teaching against judging those who eat; Paul insists the one who eats should not despise the one who abstains — parallel concern about mutual judgment over food.
- Romans 14:6 (verbal): Phrase 'eats... to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God' closely parallels Paul’s 'if I partake with thanksgiving'—both justify eating by devotion/thanksgiving to God.
- 1 Corinthians 8:8-13 (structural): Immediate Corinthian discussion on food offered to idols: Paul balances liberty to eat with responsibility not to wound a weaker conscience, the broader context of 10:30.
- Colossians 2:16-17 (thematic): Admonition not to let others judge you over food, drink, festivals — similar principle of Christian freedom and judgment regarding religiously charged eating practices.
- Acts 15:20,29 (allusion): Jerusalem council’s ruling to abstain from food sacrificed to idols for the sake of conscience/community echoes the same problem and pastoral concern about idol-related eating.
Alternative generated candidates
- If I partake with gratitude, why am I denounced for that for which I give thanks?
- If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?
1Cor.10.31 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Ειτε: CONJ
- ουν: CONJ
- εσθιετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- ειτε: CONJ
- πινετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- ειτε: CONJ
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ποιειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- εις: PREP
- δοξαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ποιειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Colossians 3:17 (verbal): Uses near-identical ethic: 'whatever you do... do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God' — parallel injunction to orient all action toward God’s honor/thanks.
- Romans 14:6 (verbal): Context of eating/drinking disputes: 'he who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks' — closely parallels doing ordinary acts (eat/drink) to God's glory.
- 1 Corinthians 6:20 (thematic): 'You were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body' — same theological principle that believers’ bodily/ethical behavior should honor God.
- 1 Peter 4:11 (verbal): 'In all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ' (serving/speaking) — expresses the same overarching goal that all actions be for God's glory.
Alternative generated candidates
- So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1Cor.10.32 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- απροσκοποι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιουδαιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- γινεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- Ελλησιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εκκλησια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 (verbal): Same epistolary discussion of not causing a 'stumbling block' to others; both passages instruct sensitivity toward weaker believers and warn against actions that offend.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (structural): Paul describes becoming 'all things to all people'—to Jews, Greeks, etc.—matching 10:32's explicit address to Jews, Gentiles, and the church as audiences to be won and not offended.
- Romans 14:13 (thematic): Urges believers not to put a stumbling block or hindrance in another's way; parallels 10:32's call to be 'without offense' toward different groups.
- Romans 15:1-2 (thematic): Calls the strong to bear the weaknesses of the weak and to seek the good of neighbors—similar ethical principle of restraint and care for Jews, Gentiles, and the church in 10:32.
- Matthew 10:16 (allusion): Jesus' charge to be 'wise as serpents and harmless as doves' resonates with the injunction to be without offense—practical counsel for navigating potentially hostile or diverse audiences.
Alternative generated candidates
- Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God.
- Give no offense, whether to Jews or Greeks or to the church of God;
1Cor.10.33 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- καθως: CONJ
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- αρεσκω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- μη: PART
- ζητων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εμαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- συμφορον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αλλα: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πολλων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- ινα: CONJ
- σωθωσιν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,pl
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (verbal): Paul says he became 'all things to all men' to win some and explicitly frames his behavior as aimed at saving others—closely matching 10:33's motive of pleasing others and seeking the profit of many so they may be saved.
- Philippians 2:4 (thematic): 'Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others' echoes the ethic of preferring others' interests over one's own found in 10:33.
- Romans 15:1-3 (allusion): Paul urges the strong to bear the weak and cites Christ who 'pleased not himself,' paralleling 10:33's call to forego self-interest for the good and edification of others.
- Galatians 1:10 (thematic): Paul contrasts seeking to please men with serving Christ; while 10:33 speaks of pleasing all for others' salvation, Galatians highlights the tension between human approval and gospel service.
Alternative generated candidates
- I am like-minded; and I also seek to please all people in every way—not seeking my own advantage but the advantage of many, that they may be saved.
- just as I also please all people in all things, not seeking my own advantage but the advantage of many, that they may be saved.
1Cor.11.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- μιμηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- γινεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- καθως: CONJ
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Cor. 4:16 (verbal): Paul uses the same imperative appeal—'be imitators of me'—to urge the Corinthians to follow his example.
- 1 Thess. 1:6 (verbal): Paul commends the Thessalonians for becoming 'imitators of us and of the Lord,' explicitly linking imitation of Paul with imitation of Christ.
- Eph. 5:1 (verbal): 'Be imitators of God' echoes the language and ethic of imitation—followers are to model their life on the divine/Christlike example.
- Phil. 3:17 (verbal): Paul calls believers to 'join in imitating me' (as I imitate Christ), a closely parallel appeal to follow Paul's Christ-shaped example.
- 1 Pet. 2:21 (thematic): Peter presents Christ's suffering as an example to be followed—thematically parallels Paul's claim that he imitates Christ and invites others to do the same.
Alternative generated candidates
- Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
- Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.
All things are permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial; all things are permissible for me, but not all things build up.
Let no one seek his own advantage, but the advantage of his neighbor.
Eat whatever is sold in the market, asking no questions for the sake of conscience.
For the earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it.
If an unbeliever invites you and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” do not eat, for the sake of the one who informed you and for conscience’ sake.
I do not mean your conscience, but the other’s; for why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience?
If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I denounced for that for which I give thanks? So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
Do not give offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God.
As for me, I seek to please everyone in everything—not seeking my own advantage but that of many, that they may be saved.
Imitate me, as I imitate Christ.