Free Bible Commentary
“1 Corinthians 10:14-22”
Categories: 1 Corinthians“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say. Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread. Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar? What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?”
---End of Scripture verses---
Just as Paul told the brethren in Corinth (and us) to “flee fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:18), he also says to “flee from idolatry” (verse 14). In verse 13 he said that no temptation is beyond a person’s ability to resist, but with the temptation God will always provide a way to escape. Since idolatry was so deeply entrenched within Corinthian society and such a strong temptation for the brethren living there, they needed to avail themselves of that escape route and RUN!
Paul appealed to their intellect when he wrote, “I speak as to wise men” (verse 15). Doesn’t it just make since that when Christians partake in the Lord’s Supper and commemorate His sacrifice by eating unleavened bread and drinking fruit of the vine that they share in His body and blood (verses 15-16)? The same was true with the priests of nation of Israel. When they ate portions of the meat sacrificed to God, they shared in the sacrifice that was offered to Jehovah on the altar (verse 18).
That’s the way it is with idolatry. A union takes place when eating meat offered to idols in certain situations. That’s why they couldn’t “share” in the rituals and dedication feasts or the sacrifices that took place in temples. Because they would share in the sacrifice and become one with idol. They would actually share with “demons” (verse 20), since they were dabbling in Satan’s realm and not the Lord’s, when they partook in sacrifices offered to false Gods.
Paul had already written in 1 Corinthians 8:8 that meat offered to idols was just food, and there was nothing wrong with eating it as long as they didn’t eat it in a way that would cause a weak brother to stumble. But they still needed to avoid the situations that would cause them to participate in the dedication of that meat to idols. There is nothing (spiritually) wrong with you or me enjoying a plate of chicken wings. They are just food and very yummy food to eat at that! But it is not a good idea for a Christian to go to Hooters for lunch and participate in the sinful exploitation of women that always takes place in those establishments. (Already I know that some of you don’t agree!!!)
The “cup of the Lord” and the “cup of demons” just don’t mix together! We can’t have fellowship with God and fellowship with sin (Satan)! It is impossible to serve two masters (Matthew 6:24)! We must choose sides and go all in with one or the other! Our God is a jealous God (verse 22; Exodus 20:5; 34:14; Deuteronomy 32:21), and He is perfectly just and righteous to be that way! We are “married” to Him through Christ and we must not commit spiritual adultery against Him!
Let’s make the determination in our hearts to stay away from “shady” places and out of sinful situations! We must be careful to remain true to our covenant with God and not provoke Him to jealousy. He is much too strong for us (verse 22), and we dare not incur His wrath and retribution!
God will be pleased if you come worship Him with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ!
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship period. 5:00 PM worship period.
Please read 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
