1 Corinthians 8:9
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξουσία
liberty
G1849
ἐξουσία
liberty
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
5 of 11
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
αὕτη
this
G3778
αὕτη
this
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
7 of 11
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
πρόσκομμα
a stumblingblock
G4348
πρόσκομμα
a stumblingblock
Strong's:
G4348
Word #:
8 of 11
a stub, i.e., (figuratively) occasion of apostasy
γένηται
become
G1096
γένηται
become
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
9 of 11
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Cross References
Galatians 5:13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.1 Peter 2:16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.2 Peter 2:19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.1 Corinthians 10:24Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.1 Corinthians 10:32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:1 Corinthians 8:12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.1 Corinthians 8:10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;1 Corinthians 9:22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Historical Context
In Greco-Roman culture, the "strong" (educated, socially elite) despised the "weak" (uneducated, lower class). Stoic philosophy prized apatheia (freedom from emotional responses) and disdained those controlled by superstition or weak conscience. Paul subverts this: Christian maturity means using strength to serve weakness, not dominate it. This inverts worldly power dynamics.
Questions for Reflection
- What Christian liberties might you need to limit because they cause weaker believers to stumble?
- How do you distinguish between respecting a weak conscience versus enabling legalism?
- Where are you flaunting freedom to prove your maturity rather than using strength to serve others?
Analysis & Commentary
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock (πρόσκομμα, proskomma, "obstacle, offense")—Paul's warning is sharp. The noun proskomma denotes something that trips someone, causing them to fall. Your exousia (ἐξουσία, "right, liberty, authority") can become another's proskomma (stumbling stone).
To them that are weak (τοῖς ἀσθενέσιν, tois asthenesin)—the "weak" aren't second-class Christians but those whose consciences are more sensitive on disputable matters. Love requires the "strong" to voluntarily limit liberty. This is Christian freedom's paradox: true liberty is freedom from needing to exercise all rights, enabling freedom for serving others (Galatians 5:13, "by love serve one another"). The "strong" believer proves strength not by asserting rights but by surrendering them for others' sake.