1 Corinthians 8:11
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπολεῖται
perish
G622
ἀπολεῖται
perish
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
2 of 13
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφὸς
brother
G80
ἀδελφὸς
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
5 of 13
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἐπὶ
through
G1909
ἐπὶ
through
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γνώσει
knowledge
G1108
γνώσει
knowledge
Strong's:
G1108
Word #:
9 of 13
knowing (the act), i.e., (by implication) knowledge
δι'
for
G1223
δι'
for
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
10 of 13
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 13
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Historical Context
Greco-Roman culture viewed social inferiors as expendable. Slaves, freedmen, and the poor existed to serve elite interests. Paul's theology demolishes this hierarchy: the "weak" believer, perhaps a slave or recent convert with no education, is precious enough that the eternal Son became incarnate and died for him. This radical leveling—the weak brother's value measured by Christ's cross—revolutionized social ethics.
Questions for Reflection
- How does "for whom Christ died" transform how you view believers whose scruples you find tiresome?
- What rights or liberties is Christ calling you to surrender for the sake of a weaker brother?
- Where are you more concerned with defending your freedom than preserving your brother's spiritual health?
Analysis & Commentary
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish (ἀπόλλυται γὰρ ὁ ἀσθενῶν ἐν τῇ σῇ γνώσει, apollytai gar ho asthenon en te se gnosei)—the present tense apollytai ("is perishing, being destroyed") depicts ongoing spiritual ruin, not necessarily final apostasy (though Paul's warning is dire). Your gnosis (knowledge), used without love, becomes an instrument of a brother's destruction.
For whom Christ died (δι' ὃν Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν, di' hon Christos apethanen)—Paul's knockout punch. Christ valued this "weak" brother enough to die for him, yet you won't surrender a meal for him? The infinite sacrifice of Christ exposes the selfishness of insisting on your rights. If Christ's love moved Him to cosmic self-sacrifice (Philippians 2:6-8), your love must move you to trivial self-denial. The "weak brother" isn't an abstraction but one for whom the Son of God bled—thus infinitely precious.