1 Corinthians 10:23

1 Corinthians 10:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
• New International Version (NIV)“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
• English Standard Version (ESV)"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.
• New King James Version (NKJV)All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.

Context of 1 Corinthians 10:23

21You cannot drink [both] the Lord’s cup and the cup of demons. You cannot share in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons [thereby becoming partners with them]. 22Do we [really] provoke the Lord to jealousy [when we eat food sacrificed to handmade “gods” at pagan feasts]? Are we [spiritually] stronger than He? [Certainly not! He knows that the idols are nothing. But we deeply offend Him.] All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. 24Let no one seek [only] his own good, but [also] that of the other person. 25[Regarding meat offered to idols:] Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking any questions for the sake of your conscience,

1 Corinthians 10:23 word by word

Πάντα ἔξεστιν ἀλλ᾽ οὐ πάντα συμφέρει· πάντα ἔξεστιν ἀλλ᾽ οὐ πάντα οἰκοδομεῖ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• All thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
• are lawfulἔξεστι, ἐξόνexesti · be permittedG1832
• for meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• areσυμφέρωsumpherō · be profitableG4851
• notοὐou · noG3756
• edifyοἰκοδομέωoikodomeō · to buildG3618

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 10:23

• 1 Corinthians 6:12Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me].
• 1 Corinthians 8:9Only be careful that this liberty of yours [this power to choose] does not somehow become a stumbling block [that is, a temptation to sin] to the weak [in conscience].
• Romans 14:15If your brother is being hurt or offended because of food [that you insist on eating], you are no longer walking in love [toward him]. Do not let what you eat destroy and spiritually harm one for whom Christ died.
• 1 Corinthians 8:1Now about food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge [concerning this]. Knowledge [alone] makes [people self-righteously] arrogant, but love [that unselfishly seeks the best for others] builds up and encourages others to grow [in wisdom].
• 1 Corinthians 14:3But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them].
• Romans 14:19So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth].
• Romans 15:1Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves.
• 2 Corinthians 12:19All this time you have been thinking that we are [merely] defending ourselves to you. It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking [as one] in Christ; and everything, dearly beloved, is to strengthen you [spiritually].
• Ephesians 4:29Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.
• 1 Timothy 1:4nor to pay attention to legends (fables, myths) and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculation and meaningless arguments rather than advancing God’s program of instruction which is grounded in faith [and requires surrendering the entire self to God in absolute trust and confidence].

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 10:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23All things are lawful for me - I may lawfully eat all kinds of food, but all are not expedient; · It would not be becoming in me to eat of all, because I should by this offend and grieve many weak minds. See the notes on 1 Corinthians 6:12, etc.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23All things are lawful for me - See the note at 1 Corinthians 6:12. This is a repetition of what he had said before; and it is here applied to the subject of eating the meat that had been offered to idols. The sense is,” Though it may be admitted that it was strictly “lawful” to partake of that meat, yet there were strong reasons why it was inexpedient; and those reasons ought to have the binding force of law.” All things edify not - All things do not tend…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-33Verses 23-33 There were cases wherein Christians might eat what had been offered to idols, without sin. Such as when the flesh was sold in the market as common food, for the priest to whom it had been given. But a Christian must not merely consider what is lawful, but what is expedient, and to edify others. Christianity by no means forbids the common offices of kindness, or allows uncourteous behaviour to any, however they may differ from us in religious…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23-24"Everything is permissible": Paul is likely quoting a common saying among the Corinthians and explaining it. Paul clarifies a Christian’s freedom by stressing the importance of doing what benefits others (see 6:12; 10:32–33; Romans 14:13–15, 19–21; 15:1–2; compare Philippians 2:3–4).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. All things are lawful for me, &c.--Recurring to the Corinthian plea (1Co 6:12), he repeats his qualification of it. The oldest manuscripts omit both times "for me." edify not--tend not to build up the spiritual temple, the Church, in faith and love. Paul does not appeal to the apostolic decision (Ac 15:1-29), which seems to have been not so much regarded outside of Palestine, but rather to the broad principle of true Christian freedom, which does not…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 10:23

• Expediency
• Minister, Christian
• Prudence
• Self-Denial

In the dictionaries

• Admonition
• Lust
• Meekness
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Expedient
• Jude, the Epistle of
• Paul, the Apostle

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings