1 Corinthians 10:21
What does 1 Corinthians 10:21 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 10:21 means
“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons … partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.” The incompatibility is moral and spiritual, not merely advisable. Participation declares allegiance; two conflicting communions cannot coexist. The Lord’s Supper binds us to Christ in covenant faithfulness. To share a rival cup is to break that fidelity. Paul’s language is absolute to protect the church from self-deceit. Compartmentalizing life—church on one day, pagan table on another—cannot stand before God. He calls believers to an undivided heart, content with the rich fellowship of Christ and unwilling to dabble in what opposes Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It is not possible for you, at the same time, to take the cup of the Lord and the cup of evil spirits; you may not take part in the table of the Lord and the table of evil spirits.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Ye are not able the cup of the Lord to drink, and the cup of demons; ye are not able of the table of the Lord to partake, and of the table of demons;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord and the chalice of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord and of the table of devils.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye cannot drink [the] Lord's cup, and [the] cup of demons: ye cannot partake of [the] Lord's table, and of [the] table of demons.
Context
This verse delivers the decisive conclusion of the communion argument. After establishing the meaning of sacred meals and exposing the demonic reality, Paul pronounces a categorical “cannot.” The next verse (22) adds a warning in covenantal terms—provoking the Lord’s jealousy and questioning our strength compared to His. Together, verses 20–22 seal the case against Christian attendance at idolatrous feasts.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 65:11
But ye that forsake Jehovah, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for Fortune, and that fill up mingled wine unto Destiny;
- 1 Corinthians 8:10
For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?
- 1 Corinthians 10:16
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?
- 1 Kings 18:21
And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two sides? if Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
- Deuteronomy 32:37
And he will say, Where are their gods, The rock in which they took refuge;
- Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
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