1 Corinthians 8:11
New International Version
So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.

New Living Translation
So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed.

English Standard Version
And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.

Berean Standard Bible
So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.

Berean Literal Bible
For the one being weak is destroyed through your knowledge--the brother for whom Christ died.

King James Bible
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

New King James Version
And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

New American Standard Bible
For through your knowledge the one who is weak is ruined, the brother or sister for whose sake Christ died.

NASB 1995
For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

NASB 1977
For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

Legacy Standard Bible
For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

Amplified Bible
For through your knowledge (spiritual maturity) this weak man is ruined [that is, he suffers in his spiritual life], the brother for whom Christ died.

Christian Standard Bible
So the weak person, the brother or sister for whom Christ died, is ruined by your knowledge.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the weak person, the brother for whom Christ died, is ruined by your knowledge.

American Standard Version
For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

Contemporary English Version
Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for.

English Revised Version
For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In that case, your knowledge is ruining a believer whose faith is weak, a believer for whom Christ died.

Good News Translation
And so this weak person, your brother for whom Christ died, will perish because of your "knowledge"!

International Standard Version
In that case, the weak brother for whom the Messiah died is ruined by your knowledge.

Majority Standard Bible
So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.

NET Bible
So by your knowledge the weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed.

New Heart English Bible
And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whom the Christ died.

Webster's Bible Translation
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

Weymouth New Testament
Why, your knowledge becomes the ruin of the weak believer--your brother, for whom Christ died!

World English Bible
And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For the [one] being weak—the brother for whom Christ died—will perish by your knowledge.

Berean Literal Bible
For the one being weak is destroyed through your knowledge--the brother for whom Christ died.

Young's Literal Translation
and the brother who is infirm shall perish by thy knowledge, because of whom Christ died?

Smith's Literal Translation
And shall the weak brother be destroyed upon thy knowledge, for whom Christ died?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ hath died ?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And should an infirm brother perish by your knowledge, even though Christ died for him?

New American Bible
Thus through your knowledge, the weak person is brought to destruction, the brother for whom Christ died.

New Revised Standard Version
So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So the one who is weak and for whom Christ died will be lost through your indifference.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he who is sickly, for whose sake The Messiah has died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and will not the weak brother, for whom Christ died, perish through your knowledge?

Godbey New Testament
For the weak one is destroyed by your knowledge, the brother for whom Christ died.

Haweis New Testament
And the weak brother will be destroyed by thy knowledge, for whom Christ died.

Mace New Testament
so that your notions may endanger the life of thy weak brother, for whom Christ died.

Weymouth New Testament
Why, your knowledge becomes the ruin of the weak believer--your brother, for whom Christ died!

Worrell New Testament
For he that is weak?the brother for whom Christ died?perishes by reason of your knowledge.

Worsley New Testament
and so the weak brother, for whom Christ died, shall perish by thy knowledge?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Food Sacrificed to Idols
10For 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? 11So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12By sinning against your brothers in this way and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.…

Cross References
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.

Romans 14:20
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block.

Matthew 18:6
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

1 Corinthians 10:32-33
Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God— / as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.

Romans 14:21
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.

1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.

1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

1 Corinthians 10:28-29
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— / the other one’s conscience, I mean, not your own. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience?

1 John 2:10
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him.

Romans 15:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Galatians 5:13
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.

Philippians 2:4
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

Ezekiel 34:4
You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

Isaiah 57:14
And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.”


Treasury of Scripture

And through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

shall.

1 Corinthians 8:13
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

1 Corinthians 10:33
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Jump to Previous
Believer Cause Christ Death Destroyed Destruction Died Infirm Perish Perishes Perisheth Ruin Ruined Sake Underwent Weak
Jump to Next
Believer Cause Christ Death Destroyed Destruction Died Infirm Perish Perishes Perisheth Ruin Ruined Sake Underwent Weak
1 Corinthians 8
1. To abstain from food offered to idols.
8. We must not abuse our Christian liberty, to the offense of our brothers;
11. but must bridle our knowledge with charity.














So this weak brother
The phrase "weak brother" refers to a fellow believer who is not as mature in their faith or understanding of Christian liberty. The Greek word for "weak" is "asthenēs," which implies a lack of strength or firmness in faith. In the early church, this often referred to those who were still struggling with the remnants of their former pagan practices or who had a sensitive conscience regarding certain freedoms. Historically, the early Christian community was diverse, with converts from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds, each bringing their own set of beliefs and practices. The "weak brother" is someone who may be easily swayed or troubled by the actions of others, particularly in matters of food offered to idols, which was a significant issue in Corinth.

for whom Christ died
This phrase underscores the immense value and worth of every believer, regardless of their spiritual maturity. The Greek word "huper" (for) indicates substitution or representation, emphasizing that Christ's sacrificial death was on behalf of all, including the "weak brother." This is a powerful reminder of the universal scope of Christ's atonement and the unity it brings to the body of believers. Historically, the early church was built on the foundation of Christ's death and resurrection, which was the central message of the apostles. This phrase serves as a call to remember the sacrificial love of Christ and to treat each believer with the same love and respect.

is destroyed
The Greek word "apollymi" is used here, which can mean to ruin or to cause to perish. In this context, it does not imply eternal damnation but rather a spiritual stumbling or harm. The use of "destroyed" highlights the serious consequences of exercising one's freedom without regard for the conscience of others. In the historical context of Corinth, where idol worship was prevalent, eating food offered to idols could lead a weaker believer back into idolatry or cause them to violate their conscience, thus damaging their faith.

by your knowledge
The term "knowledge" comes from the Greek word "gnōsis," which refers to an understanding or insight. In this passage, Paul is addressing those in the Corinthian church who prided themselves on their knowledge of Christian liberty, particularly the understanding that idols are nothing and that food offered to them is not inherently sinful. However, Paul warns that this knowledge, when exercised without love and consideration for others, can lead to the spiritual harm of a fellow believer. The historical context reveals that the Corinthian church struggled with issues of pride and division, often valuing knowledge over love. This serves as a timeless reminder that knowledge must be tempered with love and sensitivity to the spiritual well-being of others.

(11) And through thy knowledge shall . . .--Better, and by means of thy knowledge the weak one perishes--the brother for whom Christ died. It is not, as in the English version, a question, but it is the expansion and interpretation of the previous statement. There is a great variety of readings in the MSS., but the weight of evidence is in favour of this reading. Christ died for him. The sarcasm passes away in words of solemn and pathetic reproof. You won't give up your liberty for him. You will indulge yourself, and so prevent Christ's death being his redemption. A sacrifice of conscience destroys spiritual life.

Verse 11. - Shall the weak brother perish. The fact that he was "weak" constituted a fresh appeal to pity. It made him more emphatically one of "Christ's little ones," and Christ had pronounced a heavy malediction on all who caused such to offend. But if there is this "ruinous edification" upon the trembling and sandy foundation of a weak conscience, what could possibly follow but a gradual destruction? The tense is the present (the praesens futurascens), "and he who is weak, in thy knowledge, is perishing" - "the brother for whose sake Christ died." The order of the original often gives a force to the words, which it is difficult to reproduce, as here. The word "is perishing" becomes very emphatic by being placed first in the sentence. "Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died" (Romans 14:16). Perish; terrificum verbum. Clarius. He could use no word which would more effectually point his warning.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[So]
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

[this]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

weak
ἀσθενῶν (asthenōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 770: To be weak (physically: then morally), To be sick. From asthenes; to be feeble.

brother,
ἀδελφὸς (adelphos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

for
δι’ (di’)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

whom
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

Christ
Χριστὸς (Christos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

died,
ἀπέθανεν (apethanen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 599: To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.

is destroyed
ἀπόλλυται (apollytai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

your
σῇ (sē)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4674: Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine.

knowledge.
γνώσει (gnōsei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1108: Knowledge, doctrine, wisdom. From ginosko; knowing, i.e. knowledge.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 8:11 And through your knowledge he who (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
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