All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up.
Parallel translations
- WEB “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up.
- KJV All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
- BSB “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.
- NKJV All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
- NLT You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Even lawful things are not always beneficial or edifying. Christian freedom must be guided by what builds others up, not mere permissibility.
Overview
Paul repeats a Corinthian slogan ('All things are lawful') and twice qualifies it: liberty must serve what is profitable and constructive. Freedom is not the highest value; love and edification are. This principle reorients the church from self-assertion toward the good of the community, reflecting the self-giving pattern of Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 1 Cor 6:12“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are expedient. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be brought under the power of anything.
- 1 Cor 8:9But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.
- Eph 4:29Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
- Rom 14:19–20So then, let us follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up.
- 1 Th 5:11Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
- Rom 15:1–2Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- Rom 14:15Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don’t destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
- 1 Cor 14:17For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.
- 1 Cor 14:26What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.
- 1 Cor 14:12So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
- 1 Tim 1:4and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith —
- 1 Cor 14:3–5But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
- 1 Cor 8:1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
- 2 Cor 12:19Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 10:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.