1 Corinthians 10:14-22
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise people; you then, judge what I say.
16 Is the cup of blessing which we bless not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is the bread which we break not a sharing in the body of Christ?
17 Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.
18 Look at the people of Israel; are those who eat the sacrifices not partners in the altar?
19 What do I mean then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
20 No, but I say that things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with 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?
Flee from Idolatry
“The cup od blessing”
In today’s passage, Paul applies the failures of the people of Israel to the lives of the Corinthian believers. Israel’s failures stemmed from idolatry. Concerning the danger of idolatry, Paul develops his argument as follows. (1) Partaking of the cup and the bread in the Lord’s Supper signifies becoming one with Christ. All who partake of them are united into one body. The “cup of blessing” refers to the third cup of the Passover meal, which the Jews called “the cup of redemption.” It appears that Christians came to refer to it as “the cup of blessing.” (2) The same principle applies to Israel under the Old Testament. They also ate a portion of what was offered on the altar. In doing so, they became participants in the sacrificial system ordained by God and worshipers of Him. (3) The same is true in the case of idolatry. If the Corinthian Christians were to sit at the sacrificial table in an idol’s temple, it would signify becoming united with the idol. (4) Of course, this does not mean that an idol itself or meat offered to idols has any inherent significance. The real issue is the demons that stand behind the idols. Those who partake at the table of idols become participants with demons.
It is impossible to partake at both tables
The idolatry that Paul warns against refers specifically to participating in the sacrificial meals held in idol temples. This is something that must never be done. (1) Those who partake of the Lord’s table (the Lord’s Supper) become one with the Lord. (2) Those who partake of the table of idols enter into fellowship with demons. (3) It is impossible for the same person to have fellowship with both the Lord and with demons. (4) Anyone who does so provokes the Lord to jealousy and will come under His judgment. We must never presume to test the Lord’s patience. The demons are the ones who entice people into idolatry. If we truly understand this, how should it change the way we live within our culture? Is there a way to refrain from participating in idolatry while still living boldly and faithfully in our society? Let us ask the Lord to grant us wisdom in this matter.
Today's prayer
God the Creator, You are the one holy God. Please protect me and teach me so that I may not have fellowship with demons. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.