1 Corinthians 10:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

NIV: Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

NASB: Is the cup of blessing which we bless not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is the bread which we break not a sharing in the body of Christ?

CSB: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?

NLT: When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?

KJV: 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?

NKJV: 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?

Paul is building to his final command about eating food that has been offered as a sacrifice to idols. His teaching will be clear and authoritative, but he also wants the Corinthians to understand it and to agree with him.

He begins with the practice of Christian communion. In the following chapter, he will describe the purpose of receiving together both the cup as Jesus' blood and the bread as Jesus' body. He will quote Jesus' words: "Do this in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians 11:24).

Here, though, Paul simply references the practice to make his point, describing it as the "cup of blessing that we bless" and the "bread we break." The reason the cup is a blessing is that it represents the blood Jesus shed to pay the price of our sin. As Hebrews 9:22 says, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." The bread is broken and distributed to each person to represent the breaking of Jesus' body.

Paul's point is that by consuming the bread and wine together, we all participate, symbolically, in the body and blood of Christ. They become part of who we are. He will go on to link this idea with the eating of food that has been offered to idols.

First Corinthians 10:14–22 describes why it is essential to run away from idol worship of any kind. Participating in communion by taking in the representations of Christ's body and blood brings us into participation with Him. To be involved with idolatry causes people to participate with demons. Nobody can remain in participation both with Christ and demons. Paul uses questions to warn the Corinthians about stirring up the Lord's jealousy in this way. He is stronger than us and willing to act when betrayed.

Idol worship is an extremely serious sin. Paul reminds the Christians in idol-saturated Corinth of that by referring to the history of the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness. Though blessed by God, they worshiped false idols. God killed many of them for it. Paul commands his readers to flee from idol worship. To participate with idol worship in any way is to participate with demons. God always provides some way to avoid sin. So, they must avoid giving anyone the idea that they approve of idol worship, even by knowingly eating food offered to idols. Their first question must always be, ''Will this glorify God?''

The previous chapter concluded with Paul's commitment to continue to control himself. He exercises discipline so he does not become ineffective in his ministry. He begins chapter 10 by reminding the Corinthians of how the Israelites brought consequences on themselves in the wilderness. Among their many sins was worshiping idols, and God killed many of them for it. The Corinthians must flee idol worship and any appearance of supporting the demonic practice. They are free to eat meat if they don't know that it is idol food. However, they should be ready to set aside their own freedoms and rights whenever doing so will glorify God and win others to Christ.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.