1 Corinthians 8:8 asv — But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.

American Standard Version

"But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. "

— 1 Corinthians 8:8, American Standard Version

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1 Corinthians 8:8 in Other Translations

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1 Corinthians 8 — Context

5

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;

6

yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

7

Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8

But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.

9

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.

10

For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

11

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

1 Corinthians 8:8 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Corinthians 8:8 say?
1 Corinthians 8:8 in the American Standard Version reads: “But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. ”
Where is 1 Corinthians 8:8 in the Bible?
1 Corinthians 8:8 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 8, verse 8.
Who wrote 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle. It was written c. AD 55.
What is the book of 1 Corinthians about?
Paul writes to a gifted but fractured church wrestling with divisions, sexual sin, lawsuits, marriage questions, food offered to idols, and disorder in worship. Through every issue he points back to the cross, the Spirit, and the resurrection — and gives us the church's greatest chapter on love.
What are the major themes of 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians explores themes including Unity, Cross, Spiritual Gifts, Love, Resurrection. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Corinthians 8:8.
What translation should I read 1 Corinthians 8:8 in?
1 Corinthians 8:8 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Corinthians 8:8?
1 Corinthians 8:8 reads (ASV): “But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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