King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 10:27 Mean?

1 Corinthians 10:27 in the King James Version says “If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking ... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

If 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.

1 Corinthians 10:27 · KJV


Context

25

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26

For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

27

If 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.

28

But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

29

Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If 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—Paul addresses dinner invitations from them that believe not (apistos, ἄπιστος, "unbelievers"). Unlike temple banquets (explicitly prohibited, v. 14-22), private meals in pagan homes are permissible if ye be disposed to go (ei thelei hymas, εἰ θέλει ὑμᾶς, "if you wish"). Paul permits but doesn't require accepting such invitations—it's a matter of personal judgment.

The instruction whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question parallels v. 25's market principle. Don't interrogate your host about food origins or preparation. This maintains social courtesy while avoiding unnecessary offense. If you don't know the food's background, your conscience isn't implicated. Eat with thanksgiving, recognizing God's ownership (v. 26) without creating awkwardness through investigation.

This permission demonstrates Paul's missionary pragmatism. Accepting social invitations from pagans creates opportunities for gospel witness and incarnational presence in unbelieving culture. Refusing all such contact would create inappropriate separation (5:9-10). The boundary isn't all social contact with unbelievers but contexts explicitly dedicated to false worship (temple banquets). Private dinners are acceptable provided they don't compromise conscience or witness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Greco-Roman society operated through patronage networks and social reciprocity. Accepting dinner invitations built relationships and facilitated business. Refusing would seem antisocial and hinder gospel access. Paul's permission balanced cultural engagement with spiritual integrity—Christians could accept hospitality from pagans without participating in explicitly idolatrous contexts. This missionary strategy required discernment but allowed incarnational witness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you cultivate relationships with unbelievers that create gospel opportunities without compromising spiritual integrity?
  2. What principles should guide your decisions about which social invitations to accept or decline?
  3. In what ways might unnecessary scrupulosity about minor issues hinder your witness to unbelievers?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
εἰ1 of 20
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

δέ2 of 20
G1161

but, and, etc

τις3 of 20
G5100

some or any person or object

καλεῖ4 of 20

bid

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

ὑμᾶς5 of 20

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

τῶν6 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπίστων7 of 20

of them that believe not

G571

(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)

καὶ8 of 20

to a feast and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θέλετε9 of 20

ye be disposed

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

πορεύεσθαι10 of 20

to go

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

πᾶν11 of 20

whatsoever

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὸ12 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παρατιθέμενον13 of 20

is set before

G3908

to place alongside, i.e., present (food, truth); by implication, to deposit (as a trust or for protection)

ὑμῖν14 of 20

you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἐσθίετε15 of 20

eat

G2068

used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)

μηδὲν16 of 20

no

G3367

not even one (man, woman, thing)

ἀνακρίνοντες17 of 20

question

G350

properly, to scrutinize, i.e., (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine

διὰ18 of 20

for

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὴν19 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

συνείδησιν20 of 20

conscience

G4893

co-perception, i.e., moral consciousness


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 10:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 10:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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