1 Corinthians 10:21 kjv
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.
1 Corinthians 10:21 nkjv
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 niv
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons.
1 Corinthians 10:21 esv
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.
1 Corinthians 10:21 nlt
You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord's Table and at the table of demons, too.
1 Corinthians 10 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 10:21 | you cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. | Lordship vs Idolatry |
| Deut 32:39 | "See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god besides me. | Exclusive Godship |
| Ps 115:4-8 | but their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. | Idolatry's impotence |
| Isa 44:9-20 | They form a god from the shavings of a tree... to what are they like? | Futility of Idols |
| Jer 16:19 | O Lord, my strength and my stronghold and my refuge in the day of trouble... | God as refuge |
| Matt 6:24 | "No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and money. | Dual allegiance impossible |
| John 10:10 | ...I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. | Life through Christ |
| Acts 19:24-27 | ...will bring no repute to me. But there is danger that not only this trade is of no rep... | Idolatry harming business |
| Rom 12:1-2 | I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies... | Presenting bodies to God |
| 1 Cor 6:18-20 | Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body,... | Temple of the Holy Spirit |
| 1 Cor 8:4-6 | Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that 'an idol has no real... | Knowledge puffs up |
| 1 Cor 8:10 | For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's house, will not his conscienc... | Weak conscience |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | Do you not know that those who serve in the temple eat the food of the temple...? | Ministry workers' support |
| 1 Cor 10:16 | The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? ... | Communion's meaning |
| 1 Cor 10:18 | Consider the Israelites: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? | Israel's sacrificial system |
| 1 Cor 10:19-20 | What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anythi... | Union with Christ |
| 2 Cor 6:14-18 | Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness wit... | Separation from unbelief |
| Eph 5:11 | Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. | Works of darkness |
| Rev 18:4 | Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you parti... | Babylon's judgment |
| Mal 3:8 | Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In you... | Robbing God through tithes |
| Psalm 16:5 | The Lord is my allotted portion and my cup; you hold my lot. | God as possession |
| 1 Sam 15:22-23 | And Samuel said, "Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, a... | Obedience better than sacrifice |
1 Corinthians 10 verses
1 Corinthians 10 21 Meaning
This verse prohibits believers from partaking in both the "table of the Lord" and the "table of demons." It signifies an indivisible loyalty required towards God, asserting that one cannot simultaneously engage in worship and practices associated with idolatry or demonic influence. It emphasizes a strict separation from activities that compromise one's spiritual commitment.
1 Corinthians 10 21 Context
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul addresses issues within the Corinthian church related to their participation in idol feasts. He is cautioning them against behaviors that might compromise their faith. Earlier verses discuss the reality of spiritual sustenance in Christ and contrast it with pagan practices. Paul is addressing a tension where some Corinthian believers felt it was permissible to eat food offered to idols, arguing that an idol is nothing and therefore no harm could come from it. Paul’s response in chapter 10, particularly verses 14-22, is a strong rebuke of this permissive attitude. He establishes a clear principle: participating in the Lord's Supper signifies fellowship with Christ, just as participating in pagan feasts signified fellowship with demons. Therefore, one cannot partake in both. This section combats the idea of "spiritual neutrality" or a syncretistic approach to faith. The historical context involves the common practice in the Roman Empire of communal meals often associated with idol worship.
1 Corinthians 10 21 Word Analysis
- oude (ou-te): A conjunctive particle, meaning "and not," "neither," or "nor." It introduces a second negative clause.
- de (de): A postpositive conjunction, often translated as "but," "and," "now," or "then." It indicates a contrast or transition.
- du natē (doo-nah-tay): From duo (doo-oh, "two") and natos (nah-tos, "possible"). This is a verb form, "you are able" or "you can." Combined with the negative "ou" (oo, "not"), it means "you are not able" or "you cannot."
- potiō (pot-ee-oh): "To give a drink," "to drink." In the active sense, it refers to giving drink, but here in the context of the Lord's Supper (or pagan "cup"), it means "to drink."
- kupas (koo-pas): A feminine noun, meaning "cup." In the context of the Lord's Supper, it refers to the cup blessed and shared. In the context of pagan rituals, it refers to the cup used in their ceremonies.
- tou Kuriou (too oo-ree-oo): Genitive case of Kurios (Koo-ree-os), meaning "Lord." Thus, "of the Lord." This phrase specifically refers to the cup in the Lord's Supper, symbolizing Christ's blood.
- kai (kai): A conjunction, meaning "and." It connects the two clauses, indicating that both cannot be done.
- kupas (koo-pas): Again, "cup."
- tōn daimoniōn (ton die-moh-nee-ohn): Genitive plural of daimōn (die-mown), a noun signifying "demon," "evil spirit," or "divine power" (in pagan philosophy, but here distinctly evil). It translates to "of demons" or "of demons' possession." This refers to the cup used in idolatrous worship, associating it with spiritual entities opposed to God.
Group Analysis:
- "ou dunatē pote to Kuriou kai pote tōn daimoniōn": The structure powerfully contrasts two incompatible practices. "You are not able to drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons." The repetition of "pote" (cup) highlights the direct comparison of these vessels and the communion they represent. The use of "ou dunatē" stresses an inherent impossibility; it is not merely inadvisable but fundamentally impossible for a believer to maintain genuine fellowship with Christ while simultaneously participating in practices connected to demonic powers. This is a call for exclusivity in allegiance.
1 Corinthians 10 21 Bonus Section
The concept of "tables" here refers to communal meals and the spiritual reality they represent. Just as eating from the Lord's table symbolizes union with Christ (1 Cor 10:16-17), eating from the table of demons symbolizes union with demonic powers. This directly combats the Corinthian tendency to think that these practices were separate and that one could participate in pagan feasts without spiritual consequence. This teaching reflects an ancient understanding of spiritual realities being intrinsically linked to observable actions and communal participation. The prohibition is rooted in God's own commands for His people to avoid idolatry and its associated practices. The very nature of idolatry in Scripture is described as an invitation for demonic forces to gain influence (Deut 32:17).
1 Corinthians 10 21 Commentary
Paul establishes a stark dichotomy: fellowship with Christ versus fellowship with demons. These two are mutually exclusive. Participating in the Lord's Supper is a declaration of union with Christ. Consuming from a "table of demons," even if perceived as harmlessly eating idol-food, is seen as participation with evil spirits. One cannot genuinely share in the sacred meal of the Lord and in the profane rites associated with demonic worship. This verse emphasizes that Christian life requires undivided devotion. Our participation in spiritual realities is reflected in our physical actions, especially communal meals which held significant meaning in that culture. Therefore, abstaining from pagan feasts was not about food purity, but about spiritual fidelity.