1 Corinthians 10:15
New International Version
I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

New Living Translation
You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.

English Standard Version
I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

Berean Standard Bible
I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say.

Berean Literal Bible
I speak as to sensible ones; judge for yourselves what I say.

King James Bible
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

New King James Version
I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.

New American Standard Bible
I speak as to wise people; you then, judge what I say.

NASB 1995
I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say.

NASB 1977
I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say.

Legacy Standard Bible
I speak as to prudent people. You judge what I say.

Amplified Bible
I am speaking as to wise and sensible people; judge [carefully and thoughtfully consider] for yourselves what I say.

Christian Standard Bible
I am speaking as to sensible people. Judge for yourselves what I am saying.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I am speaking as to wise people. Judge for yourselves what I say.

American Standard Version
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

Contemporary English Version
I am speaking to you as people who have enough sense to know what I am talking about.

English Revised Version
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I'm talking to intelligent people. Judge for yourselves what I'm saying.

Good News Translation
I speak to you as sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

International Standard Version
I am talking to sensible people. Apply what I am saying to yourselves.

Majority Standard Bible
I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say.

NET Bible
I am speaking to thoughtful people. Consider what I say.

New Heart English Bible
I speak as to wise people. Judge what I say.

Webster's Bible Translation
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

Weymouth New Testament
I speak as to men of sense: judge for yourselves of what I say.

World English Bible
I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
as to wise men I speak—judge what I say.

Berean Literal Bible
I speak as to sensible ones; judge for yourselves what I say.

Young's Literal Translation
as to wise men I speak -- judge ye what I say:

Smith's Literal Translation
As to the wise speak I; judge ye what I say.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I speak as to wise men: judge ye yourselves what I say.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Since I am speaking to those who are prudent, judge what I say for yourselves.

New American Bible
I am speaking as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I am saying.

New Revised Standard Version
I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I speak as to wise men: you are able to judge what I say.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I speak as to the wise. Judge whatever I say.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I speak as to wise men; judge you what I say.

Godbey New Testament
As I speak to the wise; judge ye what I say.

Haweis New Testament
I speak as unto wise men: judge ye what I say.

Mace New Testament
I speak as to knowing men: be you your selves the judges of what I say.

Weymouth New Testament
I speak as to men of sense: judge for yourselves of what I say.

Worrell New Testament
I am speaking as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

Worsley New Testament
I speak to you as to men of understanding: and judge ye what I say,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Flee from Idolatry
14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?…

Cross References
Proverbs 14:15
The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

Acts 17:11
Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.

Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

1 Thessalonians 5:21
but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Ephesians 5:10
Test and prove what pleases the Lord.

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

1 John 2:20-21
You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. / I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,

2 Timothy 2:7
Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.

Luke 12:57
And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?


Treasury of Scripture

I speak as to wise men; judge you what I say.

1 Corinthians 4:10
We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

1 Corinthians 6:5
I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

1 Corinthians 8:1
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

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1 Corinthians 10
1. The sacraments of the Jews are types of ours;
7. and their punishments,
11. examples for us.
13. We must flee from idolatry.
21. We must not make the Lord's table the table of demons;
24. and in all things we must have regard for our brothers.














I speak to reasonable people;
Paul addresses the Corinthians as "reasonable people," implying that they possess the capacity for logical thought and discernment. This appeal to reason is consistent with the Greco-Roman cultural emphasis on rhetoric and philosophy, which valued logical argumentation. In the broader context of 1 Corinthians, Paul often engages with the Corinthians' intellectual pride, urging them to apply their reasoning to spiritual matters. This approach is also seen in Acts 17:2, where Paul reasons with the Jews from the Scriptures, demonstrating his consistent method of engaging with his audience's intellect.

judge for yourselves
Paul encourages the Corinthians to use their judgment, a theme that runs throughout his letters. This reflects the biblical principle of discernment, as seen in Hebrews 5:14, where mature believers are described as those who have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. The call to "judge for yourselves" also aligns with the idea of personal responsibility in faith, as seen in Philippians 2:12, where believers are urged to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. This phrase underscores the importance of individual accountability in understanding and applying spiritual truths.

what I say.
Paul's teachings are grounded in divine revelation, yet he invites scrutiny and discernment. This reflects the Berean approach in Acts 17:11, where the Bereans are commended for examining the Scriptures daily to see if Paul's teachings were true. The phrase "what I say" emphasizes the authority of Paul's apostolic message, which he defends throughout his letters, particularly in Galatians 1:11-12, where he asserts that his gospel is not of human origin but received through revelation from Jesus Christ. This highlights the balance between apostolic authority and the responsibility of believers to engage with and understand the teachings they receive.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth. Paul is known for his missionary journeys and his role in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles.

2. The Church in Corinth
A diverse and often troubled congregation in the city of Corinth, known for its cultural and moral challenges. Paul writes to them to address various issues and provide guidance.

3. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth, commerce, and moral laxity. It was a melting pot of cultures and religions, which presented unique challenges for the early Christians.
Teaching Points
The Call to Discernment
Paul appeals to the Corinthians' ability to reason and discern, emphasizing the importance of using God-given wisdom to evaluate spiritual truths.

Engaging the Mind in Faith
Christianity is not a blind faith; it involves engaging the mind and heart. Believers are encouraged to think critically and judge teachings and practices against Scripture.

Community Accountability
Paul’s appeal to the Corinthians to judge for themselves highlights the role of community in holding each other accountable to the truth of the Gospel.

Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual maturity involves developing the ability to discern and make judgments based on biblical principles. This maturity is cultivated through prayer, study, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.(15) I speak as to wise men.--These words are not hypothetical; they imply the point of view from which the Apostle is now regarding his readers--viz., competent to recognise the force of his argument. Having warned them against any participation in idolatry, even such as would be involved in joining in the sacrificial feasts, as dangerous to themselves, he now proceeds to show that such a participation would be derogatory to, and incompatible with, their union with Christ. The identity and intimacy of that union is first established by a reference to the Holy Communion, in partaking of which both the unity of the Church and its union with Christ are vividly expressed.

Verses 15-22. - The inherent disgracefulness of any tampering with idolatry. Verse 15. - I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. An appeal to their own reason to confirm his argument (comp. 1 Corinthians 11:13), perhaps with a touch of irony in the first clause (1 Corinthians 4:10; 2 Corinthians 11:19). The word for "I say" is φημι, I affirm.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I speak
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

to reasonable [people];
φρονίμοις (phronimois)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5429: Intelligent, prudent, sensible, wise. From phren; thoughtful, i.e. Sagacious or discreet; in a bad sense conceited.

judge
κρίνατε (krinate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2919: Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.

for yourselves
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

what
(ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I say.
φημι (phēmi)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5346: To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 10:14
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