1 Corinthians 8:12
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Original Language Analysis
ἁμαρτάνετε
when ye sin
G264
ἁμαρτάνετε
when ye sin
Strong's:
G264
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
εἰς
against
G1519
εἰς
against
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 15
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοὺς
the brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὺς
the brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
6 of 15
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τύπτοντες
wound
G5180
τύπτοντες
wound
Strong's:
G5180
Word #:
8 of 15
to "thump", i.e., cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from g3817 and g3960, whic
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
against
G1519
εἰς
against
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
13 of 15
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Matthew 18:6But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.Matthew 25:45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.1 Corinthians 12:12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
Historical Context
This teaching echoes Jesus's parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:40, "inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me"). Paul applies Christ's mystical union with believers practically: despising the weak, asserting rights at their expense, or wounding their conscience is direct assault on Christ. This makes love for fellow believers non-negotiable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does realizing that wounding a believer wounds Christ change your approach to disputable matters?
- Where have you sinned against Christ by sinning against fellow believers through selfish exercise of liberty?
- What would it look like to treat weaker believers with the same care you'd show Christ Himself?
Analysis & Commentary
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience (τύπτοντες αὐτῶν τὴν συνείδησιν ἀσθενοῦσαν, typtontes auton ten syneidesin astheousan, "striking their weak conscience")—the verb typto (τύπτω, "strike, beat, wound") is violent. Flaunting liberty doesn't merely disappoint but brutalizes the weak believer's conscience. The participle structure shows the sin's dual nature: sinning against brethren by wounding their conscience.
Ye sin against Christ (εἰς Χριστὸν ἁμαρτάνετε, eis Christon hamartanete)—Paul's climax. Wounding a believer is wounding Christ Himself (Acts 9:4, "why persecutest thou me?"). Christ so identifies with His people that offending them offends Him. This elevates "disputable matters" to ultimate significance: how you treat the weak brother in matters of Christian liberty reveals how you treat Christ. Knowledge divorced from love isn't mere immaturity—it's sin against Christ.