Tag Archives: 1 Corinthians 8:13

διόπερ εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, οὐ μὴ φάγω κρέα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἵνα μὴ τὸν ἀδελφόν μου σκανδαλίσω. — 1 Corinthians 8:13

The Syntax of Self-Denial

In this verse, Paul concludes his argument on eating food offered to idols with a striking personal resolution. The Greek grammar provides a powerful rhetorical structure: a conditional clause, a strong negative with the subjunctive, and a purpose clause—all carefully interwoven to express sacrificial love through precise syntax.

εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει…: The Conditional Clause

The sentence begins with a first-class conditional clause: εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει τὸν ἀδελφόν μου—“if food causes my brother to stumble.”… Learn Koine Greek