1 Corinthians 10:29 (WEB)

Passage

Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

Nearby Context

1 Corinthians 10:27 But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience.

1 Corinthians 10:28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

1 Corinthians 10:29 Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

1 Corinthians 10:30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for something I give thanks for?

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "conscience", "other", "liberty", "judged", and "another". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "conscience" and "other", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 28's "But if anyone says to you This..." into verse 30's "If I partake with thankfulness why am...", so "conscience" and "other" belong inside that flow. In 1 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "conscience" and "other" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.