1 Corinthians 10:20
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 (KJV)
Context
The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to address challenges facing the church in Corinth, including the problem of food sacrificed to idols. In the preceding verse, Paul asks whether an idol is anything or whether food offered to an idol is anything. Verse 20 answers that the issue is not the idol itself but the spiritual reality behind Gentile sacrifices.
The Sacrifices of the Gentiles: Paul acknowledges that Gentiles offer sacrifices. In the ancient world, Greeks and Romans practiced animal sacrifices as part of their religious rituals.
Sacrifices to Devils: Paul states plainly that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. The Greek word translated “devils” (daimonion) refers to evil spirits, not to the idols themselves. While an idol is nothing, the worship directed toward it is not neutral—it is fellowship with demons.
The Danger of Fellowship with Devils: Paul expresses concern that believers should not engage in fellowship or participation in idolatrous practices. The Greek word for “fellowship” (koinonia) means participation or sharing. Associating with pagan rituals could lead them away from a genuine relationship with God.
Meaning
Paul’s warning is not about the physical food but about the spiritual fellowship that participation in idolatrous worship entails. The Gentiles did not intentionally sacrifice to idols of gold, silver, wood, and stone; they often claimed to be worshipping God through them. Yet in such worship, they were directly serving demons. This echoes Deuteronomy 32:17, where Moses says of Israel, “They sacrificed unto devils, not to God.” The Old Testament background shows that the spiritual reality behind idolatry has always been demonic.
Biblical connections
This verse directly connects to the next verse, 1 Corinthians 10:21, which says, “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.” Paul’s point is that participating in idol feasts is not merely a social matter; it is spiritual participation with demons.
Application
Avoiding Idolatry: The primary application is to warn believers against participating in idolatrous practices. As Christians, we are called to worship God alone and not engage in any form of false worship, including occult practices, pagan rituals, or any activity that compromises our allegiance to God.
Discernment in Cultural Engagement: This verse encourages believers to exercise discernment when engaging with the culture around them. While it is important to interact with people from different backgrounds and beliefs, we should be cautious not to compromise our faith or be swayed by practices that contradict biblical teachings.
Emphasizing True Worship: This verse reminds us of the exclusivity of worshiping the one true God. We should focus on building a genuine relationship with Him, avoiding any spiritual compromise or dilution of our faith.
Reflection
Paul’s pastoral concern is that believers would not have fellowship with devils. This calls us to examine our own lives for any hidden compromises—practices or associations that, while seemingly harmless, may draw us into spiritual fellowship with what is opposed to God. True worship requires wholehearted devotion to the one true God.
