1 Corinthians 10:24

Contextual Overview

²³ "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. ²³ All things are lawfull for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawfull for me, but all things edifie not. ²³“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. ²³ "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are profitable. "All things are lawful for me," but not all things build up. ²³ All things are lawful, but all are not profitable; all things are lawful, but all do not edify. ²³ "All things are allowed," you say. But not all things are good. "All things are allowed." But some things don't help anyone. ²³All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. ²³ All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify. ²³"Everything is permissible," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible," but not everything is edifying. ²³ Some of you say, "We can do whatever we want to!" But I tell you that not everything may be good or helpful.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

seek: 1 Corinthians 10:33, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, 1 Corinthians 13:5, Philippians 2:4, Philippians 2:5, Philippians 2:21

Reciprocal: Romans 15:2 - General 1 Corinthians 6:12 - are not 1 Corinthians 8:9 - take 2 Corinthians 6:3 - General

Cross-References

Genesis 10:12
Resen also betweene Niniueh and Calah: this is a great citie.

Genesis 10:12
And Resen which lies between Nineveh and Calah; the same is a great city.

Genesis 10:12
and Resen between Nineveh and Kelach (the same is the great city).

Genesis 10:12
Resen. (Resen is the city between Nineveh and Calah, the big city.)

Genesis 10:12
Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.

Genesis 10:12
and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (the same is the great city).

Genesis 10:12
And Resen between Nineveh and Calah, which is a very great town.

Genesis 10:12
and Resen between Ninveh and Kelach — that one is the great city.

Genesis 10:12
and Resen, between Nineveh and Calah: this is the great city.

Genesis 10:12
and Resen between Nineveh and Calah--the same is the great city.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Let no man seek his own,.... His carnal pleasure and private advantage in eating things sacrificed to "idols", to the hurt and disadvantage of his brethren; otherwise it is lawful for a man to seek his own good, temporal, spiritual, and eternal, to seek for the necessaries of life, his spiritual peace and comfort, and his everlasting welfare and happiness; but then he should not only seek his own,

but every man another's wealth, or "that which is another's"; for the word "wealth" is not in the original text. The apostle's meaning is, that a man, in the use of things indifferent, should not seek the gratifying of his sensual appetite or other passions, what may be pleasing or profitable to himself; but should consult the profit and edification of others.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Let no man seek his own - This should be properly interpreted of the matter under discussion, though the direction assumes the form of a general principle. Originally it meant, “Let no man, in regard to the question about partaking of the meat offered in sacrifice to idols, consult his own pleasure, happiness, or convenience; but let him, as the leading rule on the subject, ask what will be for the welfare of others. Let him not gratify his own taste and inclinations, regardless of their feelings, comfort, and salvation; but let him in these things have a primary reference to their welfare.” He may dispense with these things without danger or injury; He cannot indulge in them without endangering the happiness or purity of others. His duty therefore requires him to abstain. The injunction, however, has a general form, and is applicable to all Christians, and to all cases “of a similar kind.” It does not mean that a man is not in any instance to regard his own welfare, happiness, or salvation; it does not mean that a man owes no duty to himself or family; or that he should neglect all these to advance the welfare of others; but the precept means, that “in cases like that under consideration,” when there is no positive law, and when a man’s example would have a great influence, he should be guided in his conduct, not by a reference to his own ease, comfort or gratification, but by a reference to the purity and salvation of others. And the observance of this simple rule would make a prodigious change in the church and the world.

But every man another’s wealth - The word “wealth” is not in the Greek. Literally, “that which is of another;” the word τὸ to referring to anything and everything that pertains to his comfort, usefulness, happiness, or salvation - The sentiment of the whole is, “when a man is bound and directed by no positive law, his grand rule should be the comfort and salvation of others.” This is a simple rule; it might be easily applied; and this would be a sort of balance-wheel in the various actions and plans of the world. If every man would adopt this rule, he could not be in much danger of going wrong; he would be certain that he would not live in vain.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 24. Let no man seek his own, &c.] Let none, for his private gratification or emolument, disturb the peace or injure the soul of another. Let every man live, not for himself, but for every part of the great human family with which he is surrounded.