1 Corinthians 10:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He proves this again from the Old Testament. Since the greatness of what was said far exceeded their understanding, he persuades them by former and customary examples. He rightly says, "according to the flesh," because they are Israel according to the Spirit. The meaning of his words is this: learn at least from grosser examples that those who eat from sacrifices become participants in the sacrificial offering. Do you see how he proves that those considered perfect do not have perfect knowledge? They do not even know that from such communion a certain friendship with demons arises in many, when little by little they acquire a habit for it. If among men sharing salt and table becomes an occasion and sign of friendship, the same can be true in relation to demons.

I turn you away from idols not because they have power to harm or benefit, for they are absolutely nothing, but because the sacrifice offered to them does not go to your Master. Therefore he continues.

But let no one think that I am saying things sacrificed to idols have some power and by their nature can defile the one who eats. I do not mean this, but that those who serve this superstition offer sacrifices to demons. “I do not want you to become sharers with demons.” Then the Apostle inspires greater fear.

After this the Apostle teaches that eating things sacrificed to idols is, in its own way, communion with demons and participation in a demonic table. "I speak as to sensible men" (1 Cor 10:15). "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 Cor 10:16). But "are not those who eat the sacrifices participants of the altar?" (1 Cor 10:18). And since "what the heathen sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God," then "I do not want you," consciously and voluntarily, "to have communion with demons" (1 Cor 10:20). "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons" (1 Cor 10:21).

At first glance there seems to be some difference between the Apostle’s earlier teaching about idols and sacrifices to them and his present view. In fact, there is none. Chrysostom presents the Apostle as speaking in this place in this way: "I turn you away from idols, not because they can cause any harm or have any power. They are nothing. But I want you to despise them. The sacrifices are not offered to your Lord. For what the heathen sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. Do not turn to what is contrary to God. The aim of those who offer sacrifices and the character of the persons receiving them, that is, the demons, make what is offered unclean.

From the two examples given, it was plainly evident that those who eat from sacrifices become sharers in the sacrifice, in the sense and force in which it is performed. Having read this, the Corinthians could have become perplexed. They might have felt moved to address the Apostle with a question. From what has been said, it appears that we too, when we eat things sacrificed to idols, become sharers in something. But in what? An idol is nothing, and the thing sacrificed to an idol receives nothing by being offered to what is nothing. The Apostle himself taught this. With whom, then, do we become sharers? Anticipating them, the Apostle clarifies his discourse. I do not say that an idol is anything, or that what is offered to idols is anything.