15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 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? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 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. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? (1 Corinthians 10:15-22 KJV)
Commentary
In this passage, the apostle warns against idolatry, particularly the practice of eating food sacrificed to idols as an act of religious participation.
He begins by appealing to the Corinthians’ own judgment: “I speak to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say” (1 Corinthians 10:15). Paul acknowledges their reputation for wisdom and reason, urging them to consider whether his argument aligns with sound judgment and conscience. Even as an inspired apostle, Paul does not dismiss rational thought but invites his readers to examine the truth of his teaching for themselves.
He then argues from the Lord’s Supper: “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?” (1 Corinthians 10:16). The Lord’s Supper is a sacred act of communion with God through Christ. In it, believers declare their fellowship with Him whose body was broken and blood shed for their redemption. To partake of this meal is to affirm loyalty to Christ and union with His people. Because there is one bread, all who share in it become one body—members of Christ and of one another (1 Corinthians 10:17). This symbolic act unites believers both to Christ and to the fellowship of all Christians.
Paul reinforces this with an example from Jewish worship: “Behold Israel after the flesh: are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?” (1 Corinthians 10:18). Those who ate the offerings shared in the sacrifice itself and were thereby consecrated to God. Participation in the sacrificial meal was a sign of communion with the God of Israel, to whom the sacrifice was offered.
He then applies this principle to the matter of idolatrous feasts. Some Corinthians argued that since “an idol is nothing,” the food offered to idols was just ordinary food. Paul concedes that the food itself was unchanged and could be eaten without sin if one did not know its origin (1 Corinthians 8:4, 10:25-27). However, to eat it knowingly as part of an idol feast was another matter entirely.
Such participation meant sharing in idolatry. “The things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God” (1 Corinthians 10:20). To feast on what was offered to idols was to have fellowship with demons, just as partaking of the Lord’s Supper signifies communion with Christ. Therefore, Paul warns, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons” (1 Corinthians 10:21). Communion with Christ and communion with demons are utterly incompatible. One cannot remain loyal to Christ while joining in idolatrous practices. To do so is to contradict oneself and to renounce, in effect, one’s faith in Christ.
Paul’s words also apply to those who defile the Lord’s table through gluttony, drunkenness, or deliberate sin. Such behavior makes their own table “the table of demons.” They may partake of the outward symbols, but they do not share in the spiritual reality they signify. Communion with Christ cannot coexist with fellowship with evil. Therefore, believers must renounce all sin and idolatry before approaching the Lord’s table.
Finally, Paul warns against provoking God’s jealousy: “Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?” (1 Corinthians 10:22). Many in Corinth likely thought attending pagan feasts was harmless. But Paul reminds them that God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 32:16). He will not share His glory with idols or tolerate divided worship. To provoke Him is to invite His wrath—and no one can withstand His power (Nahum 1:6). Awareness of God’s greatness should restrain us from anything that displeases Him. Shall we dare to stir up Almighty wrath, when we are powerless to resist it? Therefore, let us fear God’s power and keep ourselves from every form of idolatry or sin that would provoke His jealousy.