1 Corinthians 10 · Verse 15

1 Corinthians 10:15

I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
1 Corinthians 10:15, King James Version

1 Corinthians 10:15 in other translations

BSBI speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say.
WEBI speak as to wise men. Judge what I say.
ASVI speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
YLTas to wise men I speak--judge ye what I say:
DARBYI speak as to intelligent persons: do ye judge what I say.
BBEWhat I am saying is for wise men, do you be the judges of it.
WebsterI speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

What does 1 Corinthians 10:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
15. Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should the more take pains in searching the infallible word, with every aid within our reach, and above all with humble prayer for the Spirit's teaching (Ac 17:11). If Paul, an inspired apostle, not only permits, but urges, men to judge his sayings by Scripture, much more should the fallible ministers of the present visible Church do so. To wise men--refers with a mixture of irony to the Corinthian boast of "wisdom" (1Co 4:10; 2Co 11:19). Here you have an opportunity of exercising your "wisdom" in judging "what I say."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 15. I speak as to wise men. I speak to men qualified to understand the subject; and present reasons which will commend themselves to you. The reasons referred to are those which occupy the remainder of the chapter.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 I speak as to wise men - The Corinthians valued themselves not a little on their wisdom and various gifts; the apostle admits this, and draws an argument from it against themselves. As ye are so wise, surely ye can see the propriety of abominating idolatry of every kind: for an idol is nothing in the world, and can do nothing for you and nothing against you.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:15-22
Did not the joining in the Lord's supper show a profession of faith in Christ crucified, and of adoring gratitude to him for his salvation ? Christians, by this ordinance, and the faith therein professed, were united as the grains of wheat in one loaf of bread, or as the members in the human body, seeing they were all united to Christ, and had fellowship with him and one another. This is confirmed from the Jewish worship and customs in sacrifice. The apostle applies this to feasting with idolaters. Eating food as part of a heathen sacrifice, was worshipping the idol to whom it was made, and having fellowship or communion with it; just as he who eats the Lord's supper, is accounted to partake in the Christian sacrifice, or as they who ate the Jewish sacrifices partook of what was offered on their altar. It was denying Christianity; for communion with Christ, and communion with devils, could never be had at once. If Christians venture into places, and join in sacrifices to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, they will provoke God.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 Corinthians 10:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὡςhōsAsG5613
φρονίμοιςphronimoisto sensible [ones]G5429
λέγω,legōI speak,G3004
κρίνατεkrinatedo judgeG2919
ὑμεῖςhumeisfor yourselvesG4771
ὅhowhatG3739
φημι.phēmiI say.G5346

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 10:15

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:21

    Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:1

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

  • 1 Corinthians 11:13

    Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

  • 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 14:20

    Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

  • Job 34:2-3

    Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4:10; 6:5; 8:1; 11:13; 14:20; Job 34:2,3; 1Th 5:21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 10:14

    Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:15

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

  • 1 Corinthians 10:16

    The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

Read all of 1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Como á sabios hablo; juzgad vosotros lo que digo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je parle comme à des personnes intelligentes: jugez vous-mêmes de ce que je dis.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich rede als zu Verständigen; beurteilet ihr, was ich sage.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		ut prudentibus loquor, vos ipsi judicate quod dico.