1 Corinthians 10:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.

NIV: No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

NASB: No, but I say that things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons.

CSB: No, but I do say that what they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons!

NLT: No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons.

KJV: But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

NKJV: Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.

Paul has finally reached the main reason he will warn the Christians in Corinth from eating food that has been offered to idols. It's not that the idols themselves represent real gods. He has been clear. The idols are fake, and the gods do not exist (1 Corinthians 8:4–7). It's that those who worship them are, perhaps without even knowing it, offering sacrifices to demons.

Now Paul finally reveals why it is essential that Christians draw hard lines on what participation they will have with idols. Real demons stand as the power behind those figures made with human hands. Idol worship provides demons with an entry point into the lives of those involved.

The Bible is clear that though idols and gods are powerless human creations (Psalm 96:5), demons are true supernatural beings who exercise supernatural power in the everyday world. Demons are former angels that joined Satan in his rebellion against God (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28; Revelation 12:3–4, 9). The Bible teaches that they are active in the world today.

None of Paul's readers would have said, "What's a demon?" Demon possession of human beings was common and openly accepted as reality during the time of Jesus and Paul. Demons were understood to be both powerful and harmful, especially among believers. It's unlikely any of the Corinthian Christians would have suggested that participation with demons was not a problem.

Paul's teaching that demons were a real power behind fake idols also was not a new idea. Psalm 106 describes some of the sins of Israel, including the worship of idols. It says this: "They served the idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan" (Psalm 106:36–38).

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.