Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
Parallel translations
- WEB Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience,
- BSB Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
- NKJV Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake;
- NASB Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions, for the sake of conscience;
- NLT So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience.
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
Believers may freely eat meat sold in the market without anxious questions about its origin. Conscience need not be burdened over food itself.
Overview
Paul gives practical guidance: ordinary marketplace meat, even if it had been offered to idols, may be eaten freely. Since the idol is nothing and the earth belongs to God, the food itself is not defiling. This balances his warning against idol-feasts with genuine Christian liberty in everyday matters, freeing consciences from needless scruples.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 1 Tim 4:4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
- 1 Cor 8:7Howbeit 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.
- Titus 1:15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
- Rom 14:14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
- 1 Cor 10:27–29If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
- Rom 13:5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
- Acts 10:15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
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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.
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Original language
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