1 Corinthians 10:14-22

14: Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
15: I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say.

16: 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?
17: Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.
18: Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar?
19: What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
20: 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.
21: 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.
22: Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?

*** 

Returning to the questions of idolatry which Paul began to answer in chapter 8, he continued his thoughts on the matter here. He had said that idols were nothing and eating meat sacrificed to them didn’t do anything to the eater who knew that, yet he said not to eat if it would cause their brother to stumble. Here furthered that thought by saying to flee idolatry altogether, especially not to eat at the idol's table. He said that what the Gentiles sacrificed to idols they sacrificed to demons, not to God, and he didn’t want them to become sharers in demons.

Paul said we cannot partake of both the Lord’s cup and table, and the cup and table of demons. Out of love for the Lord this is something we would want to avoid at all costs, so as not to give the impression to Him that we take His sacrifice lightly, or make it appear to others as if we believe He is on equal terms with false gods. So, idolatry in all forms is to be avoided not only for the conscience of your brother, but for the Lord’s sake, and your sake, so you are not participating in something demonic.

Paul pointed out that when we eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord’s table we share in the body and blood of Christ. So, if we become partakers of Him when we eat at His table, the same would happen at the table of demons—we would become partakers of them—and we do not want to share anything with them or have any part of them.

We know the Lord has overcome the devil and has given us authority to use His name against him,* yet that does not mean they do not exist or that they will not move in and take advantage of those who, knowingly or unknowingly, open themselves to demonic influence by participating in the worship of idols. Paul says not to provoke the Lord to jealousy for we are not able to stand against Him, and why would we want to?


* Mark 16:17, Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 10:17, Acts 4:30, John 16:23-24

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