1 Corinthians 10:20 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.
1 Corinthians 10:20 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.
1 Corinthians 10:20 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.
1 Corinthians 10:20 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.
1 Corinthians 10:20 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.
1 Corinthians 10 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 8:4 | "what is sacrificed to an idol, that an idol is nothing" | Contrast to Gentile sacrifice |
| Deut 32:17 | "They sacrificed to demons, not to God" | OT affirmation of demons |
| Ps 106:37-38 | "sacrificed their sons and daughters to the demons" | OT condemnation of child sacrifice |
| Lev 17:7 | "They must no longer offer sacrifices to the... demons" | OT prohibition of demon sacrifice |
| 1 Cor 8:10 | "you share in what is sacrificed to an idol" | Communion with idols |
| 1 Cor 10:21 | "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons" | Exclusive communion |
| 1 Cor 10:22 | "Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy?" | Jealousy of God |
| Rom 11:4 | "I have reserved for myself seven thousand men" | Remnant concept |
| Acts 15:20, 29 | "abstain from... food sacrificed to idols" | Apostolic decree |
| Gal 5:19-20 | "works of the flesh" (idolatry listed) | Idolatry as sin |
| Eph 5:11 | "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" | Fellowship with darkness |
| Col 3:5 | "put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature" | Mortification of sin |
| 1 Pet 4:3 | "the former] deliberately ignore this fact" | Living in past sin |
| Rev 18:2 | "Babylon the Great is fallen" | Judgment on idolatry |
| John 10:27-28 | "no one can snatch them out of my hand" | Christ's protection |
| Matt 6:24 | "No one can serve two masters" | Exclusive service |
| 1 Cor 6:19-20 | "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit" | Temple desecration |
| Isa 43:10 | "Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after" | Uniqueness of God |
| Jer 10:11 | "The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth will perish" | False gods vs. True God |
| 1 John 5:21 | "Keep yourselves from idols." | Apostolic command |
1 Corinthians 10 verses
1 Corinthians 10 20 Meaning
This verse declares that what the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. Paul warns the Corinthians against participating in idolatrous feasts, drawing a sharp contrast between communion with Christ and participation in the meals of demons.
1 Corinthians 10 20 Context
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's struggles with practices tied to the surrounding pagan culture, particularly regarding food offered to idols. Many Corinthian Christians believed that since idols were nothing and Christ was everything, eating meat sold in the marketplace or at pagan temples was permissible. Paul, however, emphasizes that their participation, even in seemingly minor ways, had significant spiritual implications. This verse directly follows his discussion on not becoming idolaters themselves (1 Cor 10:14-19) and is crucial in explaining why abstaining from idol feasts is essential for those in Christ. It underscores the exclusive nature of Christian worship and the dangers of syncretism.
1 Corinthians 10 20 Word Analysis
- ὅθεν (hothen): "whence," "from where." It connects the sacrifice to its source and recipient.
- τὰ ἔθνη (ta ethnē): "the Gentiles," "the nations." Refers to non-Israelites, those outside the covenant people of God.
- θυσίας (thysias): "sacrifices." Offerings made to deities.
- ἄγουσιν (agousin): "they offer," "they bring," "they present." The action of presenting the sacrifice.
- δαιμονίοις (daimoníois): "to demons." Evil spirits, spiritual beings distinct from God.
- καὶ (kai): "and." A conjunction.
- οὐκ (ouk): "not." A negative particle.
- τῷ θεῷ (tō theō): "to God." The true and sovereign Lord.
- θυσάσθαι (thysasthai): "to sacrifice." Infinitive form, highlighting the act of sacrifice.
Word-group Analysis:
- "What the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God": This phrase contrasts the intent and spiritual reality of pagan sacrifice. Gentiles believed they were honoring their gods, but Paul asserts the spiritual power behind these "gods" is demonic, and the true God is excluded and implicitly offended by such offerings and the idolatry they represent.
1 Corinthians 10 20 Bonus Section
The understanding of "demons" (daimonia) in the first century was varied, but generally included fallen angelic beings or other malevolent spiritual entities that received worship or were associated with pagan deities. The emphasis in this verse is on the true spiritual destination of such worship. It directly combats any notion among the Corinthians that idolatry was a neutral act. The verse highlights God's claim to exclusive worship (He is a jealous God, as stated later in the chapter) and the inherently anti-God nature of demon worship. The historical context of widespread idol worship and polytheism meant that many believers were exposed to these practices and needed clear guidance on separation. The teaching also reinforces the distinctiveness of the New Covenant community, separated from the pagan world.
1 Corinthians 10 20 Commentary
Paul here makes a definitive statement about the spiritual realm. He asserts that pagan sacrifices, while not offered to the true God, are nonetheless received by malevolent spiritual entities known as demons. This isn't a matter of offering something neutral; rather, it's about directed worship to forces opposed to God. For believers, this means any involvement in practices connected to idol worship, even through food, is participation in demon worship and therefore incompatible with devotion to Christ. The Christian experience is one of intimate fellowship with God, which cannot coexist with practices that acknowledge and give homage to spiritual powers identified as demonic.
- Practical Illustration: Imagine attending a wedding reception where certain toasts are made to individuals who are actively hostile to your family. Even if you aren't making the toast yourself, your presence and participation in the meal associated with those toasts could be seen as a tacit endorsement or an unwitting association that undermines your loyalty. In the spiritual realm, Paul views participation in idol feasts similarly.