Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
Conscience ... of the other - the weak brother (1 Corinthians 10:28).
For why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? Paul puts himself, as it were, in the position of his converts. The Greek for "the other" х heterou (G2087)] and "another" х allees (G243)] are distinct. "The other" is the one with whom Paul's and his convert's concern is: "another" is any other with whom he and they have no concern. If a guest know the meat to be idol meat, while I know it not, I have "liberty" to eat without being condemned by his "conscience" (Grotius). Thus the "for," etc., is an argument for 1 Corinthians 10:27, "eat, asking no question." Or, 'Why should I give occasion, by rash use of my liberty, that another should condemn it' (Estius). Or the words are those of the Corinthian objector (perhaps quoted by Paul from their letter), 'Why is my liberty judged by another's conscience?' why should not I be judged only by my own, and have liberty to do whatever it sanctions? Paul replies, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Your doing so ought always to be limited by regard "to the glory of God" (Vatablus). The first explanation is simplest: the "for," etc., in it refers to "not thine own" (i:e., 'not my own,' in Paul's change to the first person). I am to abstain only in the case of liability to offend the other's conscience; in cases where my own has no scruple, I am not bound, in God's judgment, by any other conscience than my own.