1 COR 8:8 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. βρῶμα
2. brōma
3. food
4. -
5. 10330
6. N····NNS
7. food
8. food
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116147
1. Δέ
2. de
3. But
4. -
5. 11610
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. S
10. Y59
11. 116148
1. ὑμᾶς
2. su
3. -
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2A·P
7. you_all
8. you_all
9. -
10. -
11. 116149
1. ἡμάς
2. egō
3. us
4. -
5. 14730
6. R···1A·P
7. us
8. us
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116150
1. οὒ
2. ou
3. not
4. -
5. 37560
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116151
1. παρίστησιν
2. paristēmi
3. -
4. -
5. 39360
6. VIPA3··S
7. ˓is˒ presenting
8. ˓is˒ presenting
9. -
10. -
11. 116152
1. παραστήσει
2. paristaō
3. will be presenting
4. -
5. 39360
6. VIFA3··S
7. ˓will_be˒ presenting
8. ˓will_be˒ presenting
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116153
1. τῷ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DMS
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116154
1. Θεῷ
2. theos
3. to god
4. God
5. 23160
6. N····DMS
7. ˱to˲ god
8. ˱to˲ God
9. GN
10. Y59; Person=God
11. 116155
1. οὔτε
2. oute
3. neither
4. -
5. 37770
6. C·······
7. neither
8. neither
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116156
1. γάρ
2. gar
3. -
4. -
5. 10630
6. C·······
7. for
8. for
9. -
10. -
11. 116157
1. ἐάν
2. ean
3. if
4. -
5. 14370
6. C·······
7. if
8. if
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116158
1. μή
2. mē
3. not
4. -
5. 33610
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116159
1. φάγωμεν
2. esthiō
3. we may eat
4. -
5. 20680
6. VSAA1··P
7. ˱we˲ ˓may˒ eat
8. ˱we˲ ˓may˒ eat
9. -
10. Y59; R114889; R114889
11. 116160
1. περισσεύομεν
2. perisseuō
3. we are being plentiful
4. -
5. 40520
6. VIPA1··P
7. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ being_plentiful
8. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ abounding
9. -
10. Y59; R114889; F116177
11. 116161
1. ὑστερούμεθα
2. hustereō
3. -
4. -
5. 53020
6. VIPP1··P
7. ˱we˲ ˓are_being˒ deficient
8. ˱we˲ ˓are_being˒ deficient
9. -
10. R114889; F116177
11. 116162
1. οὔτε
2. oute
3. nor
4. -
5. 37770
6. C·······
7. nor
8. nor
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116163
1. ἐάν
2. ean
3. if
4. -
5. 14370
6. C·······
7. if
8. if
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116164
1. μή
2. mē
3. -
4. -
5. 33610
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. -
11. 116165
1. φάγωμεν
2. esthiō
3. we may eat
4. -
5. 20680
6. VSAA1··P
7. ˱we˲ ˓may˒ eat
8. ˱we˲ ˓may˒ eat
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116166
1. περισσεύομεν
2. perisseuō
3. -
4. -
5. 40520
6. VIPA1··P
7. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ being_plentiful
8. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ abounding
9. -
10. -
11. 116167
1. περισσευόμεθα
2. perisseuō
3. -
4. -
5. 40520
6. VIPM1··P
7. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ being_plentiful
8. ˱we˲ ˓are˒ abounding
9. -
10. -
11. 116168
1. ὑστερούμεθα
2. hustereō
3. we are being deficient
4. -
5. 53020
6. VIPP1··P
7. ˱we˲ ˓are_being˒ deficient
8. ˱we˲ ˓are_being˒ deficient
9. -
10. Y59
11. 116169

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 8:1–13: Paul answered questions about eating meat that had been offered to idols

In this section Paul wrote about something else the Corinthians had asked him in their earlier letter. They had asked him whether it was acceptable for them to eat the meat of an animal that had been sacrificed to an idol. The primary context for eating such meat was at an idol’s temple. Sometimes an animal would be offered to a false god in connection with a celebration such as a birthday or wedding to seek the god’s blessing and presence at the celebration. The animal would be butchered by a priest and a portion of the meat would be burned on an altar as an offering to the false god. Some of the remaining meat would be returned to the person who offered it and could be eaten together with family or other invited guests at a private banquet room at the temple. (Some of the remaining meat might be sent to the meat market to be sold, a situation that Paul addresses in 10:25–26.)

There were two opinions in the Corinthian church about whether this meat could be eaten by a believer in Christ. Some of the Corinthian believers, including those who wrote the letter, understood that idols were only things that people have made or imagined. They were hoping Paul would agree with them that it was acceptable to eat this meat. However, some other believers thought that it was wrong to enter a temple and eat such meat. They still believed the false gods were real and believed that eating meat offered to them in sacrifice was an act of worship or fellowship with these gods.

Paul agreed in this chapter that the idols worshiped at these temples were not real gods. But he did not give permission to eat this meat at their temple. Doing so might influence other believers to also eat the meat, even though they believed it was wrong. Paul asked the Corinthians believers to act in love toward these brothers rather than selfishly demanding the right to eat this meat.

In chapter 10, Paul will continue to answer the question about eating meat sacrificed to idols. He says that a believer can have no part in the worship of idols and also that demons are active in the sacrifices to idols. He also addresses the separate situations of buying and eating meat sold in the meat market and what to do when someone invites you to eat meat in their home. Before this, in chapter 9, he uses himself as an illustration of the principle he set down at the end of chapter 8 of giving up your rights in love. He had the right to be paid for his work as an apostle, but he gave up his right so that the good news of Jesus would be better accepted.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings for this section are:

Paul gave instructions about eating meat of/from animals that had been sacrificed to false gods

Believers should not eat anything that causes other believers to sin

Paragraph 8:7–13

In this paragraph Paul discussed a problem related to the knowledge that an idol is nothing. The problem is that not all believers have this knowledge. When those without this knowledge eat food sacrificed to idols, they think they are participating in rites to real gods. They know this is wrong, but being weak they are easily influenced to do it anyway. So believers who know that idols are nothing should not think only about what they have freedom to do, but rather should think about how what they do may influence other believers toward idolatry. They should not do anything that would cause another believer to do something he thinks is wrong.

8:8a

But food does not bring us closer to God:

But what we^(incl) eat or do not eat does not make us more acceptable to God.
I agree with you^(plur) who say that our^(incl) relationship with God is not based on whether we eat or do not eat certain foods.

But: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between the statement in verse 7 and the statement in 8:8a. In verse 7, the believer with a weak conscience thinks that eating food sacrificed to an idol can injure the relationship between him and God. Verse part 8a says that what we eat does not make any difference in our relationship with God. Although eating food sacrificed to idols causes these believers to have guilt before God, it is not the food itself that causes the problem. Some English versions, such as the RSV, do not explicitly translate this conjunction. Consider if it is natural for you to translate this conjunction here.

food does not bring us closer to God: Paul believed that what you eat does not make you right with God. Eating the right food does not cause God to approve of you. Other ways to translate this include:

food will not bring us into God’s presence (REB)

Food will not affect our relationship with God. (GW)

In saying this, Paul was probably agreeing with the position of the Corinthians who had written to him and asked the question about eating food offered to idols. Some English versions translate this in a way that expresses agreement with what the Corinthians had said, and you may want to do the same. For example:

It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. (NLT)

But of course food cannot make us acceptable to God (NJB)

food: The Greek word that the BSB translates as food is a general word that can refer to anything that is eaten. In this verse Paul was not speaking specifically of food that had been offered to idols, or of food that was eaten in a pagan temple.

8:8b-c

Though Paul agreed with the Corinthians who wrote the letter to him that food does not affect our relationship with God, in 8:8b-c (and the rest of the chapter) he challenges their position. They believed that not eating food offered to idols was the wrong choice. And they believed they would benefit in different ways from choosing to eat this food at the temple. Paul says the opposite. He says that people who choose not to eat this food make a good choice; they are not worse off. And people who choose to eat this food do not gain anything.

These verse parts form a complementary pair. Translate them so that they match one another. For example:

We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. (RSV)

we shall not lose anything if we do not eat, nor shall we gain anything if we do eat (GNT)

Refusing to eat does not make us less pleasing to God, and eating does not make us better in God’s sight. (NCV)

8:8b

We are no worse if we do not eat,

If we^(incl) do not eat certain foods, that does not do us any harm.
We do not displease God by not eating them,
It is actually a good thing to not eat food offered to idols.

We are no worse if we do not eat: The believers Paul mentioned in 8:7 believed that they should not eat certain foods. Paul defends them here saying that their choice was a good one. These believers did not displease God by not eating such foods. Another way to translate this is:

we will not be less pleasing to God if we do not eat

If we do not eat, that is fine. God is still pleased with us.

8:8c

and no better if we do.

And if we^(incl) do eat those foods, that does not do us any good.
and we do not please God by eating them.
And we gain no benefit when we eat idol food.

no better if we do: This is a short way of saying “We are no better if we do eat such foods.” Paul was continuing to address the believers who had written to him and who understood that idols are not real. They apparently thought they were pleasing God by eating idol food and so showing that they did not respect idols. Paul said that eating such foods does not please God or benefit them more than not eating them.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

βρῶμα & ἡμᾶς οὐ παραστήσει τῷ Θεῷ

food & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: βρῶμα Δέ ἡμάς οὒ παραστήσει τῷ Θεῷ οὔτε ἐάν μή φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν οὔτε ἐάν φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα)

Here Paul speaks as if food were a person who could bring us near to God. By speaking in this way, Paul discusses whether food can make our relationship with God stronger or not. Just like a person who cannot bring us near to someone so that we can know that person better, so food cannot make our relationship with God any stronger. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this figure of speech with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [food will not make our relationship with God any stronger]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

οὔτε ἐὰν μὴ φάγωμεν, ὑστερούμεθα; οὔτε ἐὰν φάγωμεν, περισσεύομεν

neither nor (Some words not found in SR-GNT: βρῶμα Δέ ἡμάς οὒ παραστήσει τῷ Θεῷ οὔτε ἐάν μή φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν οὔτε ἐάν φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα)

Here Paul contrasts “eating” and “not eating” while negating both sides of the contrast. If your language does not use this form, you can express the idea with two negative clauses. Alternate translation: [we are not made to lack if we do not eat, and we do not abound if we eat]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical

οὔτε ἐὰν μὴ φάγωμεν, ὑστερούμεθα; οὔτε ἐὰν φάγωμεν, περισσεύομεν

Here Paul uses if twice to introduce true possibilities. He means that a person might not eat, or that person might eat. He specifies the result for each option. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this form by stating the if statements by introducing them with a word such as “whenever” or by using relative clauses. Alternate translation: [neither are we made to lack whenever we do not eat, nor do we abound whenever we eat]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὑστερούμεθα & περισσεύομεν

˱we˲_˓are_being˒_deficient (Some words not found in SR-GNT: βρῶμα Δέ ἡμάς οὒ παραστήσει τῷ Θεῷ οὔτε ἐάν μή φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν οὔτε ἐάν φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα)

Here Paul does not specify in what we might lack or abound. If possible, do not specify this is in your translation. If you must clarify in what we might lack or abound, Paul implies that it is God’s “favor” or “grace.” Alternate translation: [are we made to lack God’s grace … we abound in God’s grace]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

μὴ φάγωμεν & φάγωμεν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: βρῶμα Δέ ἡμάς οὒ παραστήσει τῷ Θεῷ οὔτε ἐάν μή φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν οὔτε ἐάν φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα)

Here Paul states a general principle, and he does not clarify what kinds of food he has in mind. If possible, do not specify what we eat in your translation. If you must clarify what we eat, you could include a vague or generic reference to “certain kinds of food.” Alternate translation: [we do not eat specific kinds of food … we eat specific kinds of food]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear 1 COR 8:8

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 8:1–13: Paul answered questions about eating meat that had been offered to idols

Paragraph 8:7–13

8:8a

8:8b-c

8:8b

8:8c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 1 COR 8:8

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 8:1–13: Paul answered questions about eating meat that had been offered to idols

Paragraph 8:7–13

8:8a

8:8b-c

8:8b

8:8c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

OET interlinear 1 COR 8:8