Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 10:18

What does 1 Corinthians 10:18 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 10:18 means

“Behold Israel after the flesh”: those who eat the sacrifices “have not they … communion with the altar?” Paul points to the temple system to show that eating sacrificial meat meant sharing in the worship offered there. The altar and table formed a fellowship between the worshiper and God’s appointed means. This illustrates that sacred meals are never neutral. If this was true in Israel’s God-given worship, it is also true in pagan rites. Paul’s logic dismantles the claim that attending an idol feast is just a social meal; participation signals spiritual alignment. The Corinthians must recognize the covenantal weight of eating and drinking in contexts tied to worship.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

See Israel after the flesh: do not those who take as food the offerings of the altar take a part in the altar?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

See Israel according to the flesh! are not those eating the sacrifices in the fellowship of the altar?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Behold Israel according to the flesh. Are not they that eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

See Israel according to flesh: are not they who eat the sacrifices in communion with the altar?

Context

After defining Christian communion and unity, Paul appeals to Israel’s pattern to generalize the principle. By referencing Israel “after the flesh,” he speaks of the historic, national practice. This supports the argument that all sacrificial meals entail fellowship with a spiritual reality. With the principle established, verses 19–21 will directly address pagan sacrifices, clarifying that the issue is not the idol’s substance but the demonic powers behind the cult.

v.17seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread.

v.18This passage

v.19What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Leviticus 3:11

    And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto Jehovah.

  • Philippians 3:3

    for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:

  • Romans 9:3

    For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren’s sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

  • Galatians 6:16

    And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

  • Ephesians 2:11

    Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;

  • Leviticus 7:11

    And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which one shall offer unto Jehovah.

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