King James Bible
"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
Paul uses vivid imagery of wild animals attacking each other to describe destructive behavior within the church. This metaphor emphasizes how verbal attacks, slander, and divisive actions tear apart the community from within, contrasting sharply with the love-centered freedom he just advocated. The warning escalates from individual attacks to mutual destruction—both parties in conflict ultimately perish. Paul cautions that unchecked infighting doesn't produce winners and losers but leads to the complete dissolution of the community, making this a sobering call for unity.