1 Corinthians 8:7
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
Original Language Analysis
Ἀλλ'
Howbeit
G235
Ἀλλ'
Howbeit
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
οὐκ
there is not
G3756
οὐκ
there is not
Strong's:
G3756
Word #:
2 of 24
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γνῶσις·
that knowledge
G1108
γνῶσις·
that knowledge
Strong's:
G1108
Word #:
6 of 24
knowing (the act), i.e., (by implication) knowledge
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰδώλου
of the idol
G1497
εἰδώλου
of the idol
Strong's:
G1497
Word #:
12 of 24
an image (i.e., for worship); by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of such
ἕως
unto
G2193
ἕως
unto
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
13 of 24
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
ὡς
it as
G5613
ὡς
it as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
15 of 24
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
εἰδωλόθυτον
a thing offered unto an idol
G1494
εἰδωλόθυτον
a thing offered unto an idol
Strong's:
G1494
Word #:
16 of 24
an image-sacrifice, i.e., part of an idolatrous offering
ἐσθίουσιν
eat
G2068
ἐσθίουσιν
eat
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
17 of 24
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 24
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
Historical Context
Many Corinthian converts came from pagan backgrounds involving temple prostitution, mystery cult initiations, and animal sacrifices to demons. These experiences left deep spiritual and psychological scars. Recent converts ("unto this hour" suggests proximity to conversion) struggled to separate cultural practices from spiritual reality. The "weak" weren't intellectually deficient but spiritually traumatized—their past held them captive.
Questions for Reflection
- Who are the "weak" believers in your church whose consciences differ from yours on matters of Christian liberty?
- How do you balance truth ("idols are nothing") with compassion for those whose past experiences make certain actions spiritually dangerous?
- Where might you be pushing someone to violate their conscience by flaunting your freedom?
Analysis & Commentary
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge (ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐν πᾶσιν ἡ γνῶσις, all' ouk en pasin he gnosis)—Paul pivots from theology to pastoral reality. Not all believers possess the mature understanding that idols are metaphysical zeros. For some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol—the phrase "conscience of the idol" (syneidesis tou eidolou) describes believers whose syneidesis (συνείδησις, "conscience, moral consciousness") remains traumatized by their idolatrous past.
These "weak" believers intellectually affirm monotheism but psychologically cannot escape associations between meat and demon-worship. When they eat, their conscience being weak is defiled (μολύνεται, molynetai, "is stained, polluted"). The pollution isn't metaphysical (the meat is neutral) but psychological and spiritual—they sin by acting against conscience (Romans 14:23, "whatsoever is not of faith is sin"). The "strong" must limit liberty to avoid pushing the "weak" into sin.