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What the Bible Says About Conscience

Overview

The Bible addresses conscience across 64 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Romans, 1 Corinthians and Hebrews. Closely related themes include Commandments, Charitableness, Self-Denial and Expediency. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.

Key Bible verses about conscience

New Testament

Romans

Romans 2:14

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Romans 2:15

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) their conscience: or, the conscience witnessing with them the mean: or, between themselves

Romans 7:15

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. allow: Gr. know

Romans 7:16

If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Romans 7:17

Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Romans 7:18

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Romans 7:19

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Romans 7:20

Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Romans 7:21

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Romans 7:22

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Romans 7:23

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Romans 14:1

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. not: or, not to judge his doubtful thoughts

Romans 14:2

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Romans 14:3

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Romans 14:4

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:5

One man esteemeth one day above another another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. fully persuaded: or, fully assured

Romans 14:6

He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. regardeth: or, observeth

Romans 14:7

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Romans 14:8

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Romans 14:9

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

Romans 14:10

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans 14:11

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Romans 14:12

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:13

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Romans 14:14

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. unclean: Gr. common

Romans 14:15

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. charitably: Gr. according to charity

Romans 14:16

Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:18

For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Romans 14:19

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Romans 14:20

For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

Romans 14:21

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Romans 14:22

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Romans 14:23

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. doubteth: or, discerneth and putteth a difference between meats damned: or, condemned, or liable to punishment

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 8:9

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. liberty: or, power

1 Corinthians 8:10

For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; emboldened: Gr. edified

1 Corinthians 8:11

And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

1 Corinthians 8:12

But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

1 Corinthians 8:13

Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

1 Corinthians 10:27

If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

1 Corinthians 10:28

But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

1 Corinthians 10:29

Conscience I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

1 Corinthians 10:30

For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? grace: or, thanksgiving

1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:32

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Gentiles: Gr. Greeks

Hebrews

Hebrews 10:2

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. would: or, they would have ceased to be offered, because, etc.

Hebrews 10:3

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

Hebrews 10:4

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Hebrews 10:5

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: hast: or, thou hast fitted me

Hebrews 10:6

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Hebrews 10:7

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Hebrews 10:8

Above when he said Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Hebrews 10:9

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Hebrews 10:10

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

People in the Bible and conscience

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying conscience for yourself

  • Begin with Matthew 5:15, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Romans, 1 Corinthians and Hebrews each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Commandments, Charitableness, Self-Denial and Expediency.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about conscience?

The Bible addresses conscience across 64 verses, drawn from the New Testament. These passages cluster most in Romans, 1 Corinthians and Hebrews. Closely related themes include Commandments, Charitableness, Self-Denial and Expediency. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.

How many Bible verses are about conscience?

The Bible references conscience in 64 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention conscience?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Matthew 5:15: “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. a bushel: the word in the original signifieth a measure containing about a pint less than a peck”

Which people in the Bible are associated with conscience?

Jesus.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on conscience.

Preach a series on Conscience