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

21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. 22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify. 24Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor’s good. 25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake;

1 Corinthians 10:23 word by word

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

• thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
• lawfulἔξεστι, ἐξόνexesti · be permittedG1832
• edifyοἰκοδομέωoikodomeō · to buildG3618

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 10:23

• 1 Corinthians 6:12All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.
• 1 Corinthians 8:9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.
• Romans 14:15For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died.
• 1 Corinthians 8:1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
• 1 Corinthians 14:3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.
• Romans 14:19So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.
• Romans 15:1Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
• 2 Corinthians 12:19Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
• Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.
• 1 Timothy 1:4neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; so do I now.

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