Warning against Idolatry and Shared Participation
1 Corinthians 10:14-22
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1Cor.10.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Διοπερ: CONJ
- αγαπητοι: ADJ,voc,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- φευγετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ειδωλολατριας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Exodus 20:3 (thematic): The Decalogue's prohibition against other gods provides the Torah foundation for Paul's command to avoid idolatry.
- Deuteronomy 6:14 (thematic): An explicit Old Testament admonition—"do not go after other gods"—that Paul echoes in urging Christians to flee idolatry.
- 1 John 5:21 (verbal): A near-verbatim New Testament echo: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols," matching Paul's imperative to flee idolatry.
- Acts 15:29 (structural): The Jerusalem Council's ruling that Gentile believers abstain from things sacrificed to idols parallels the church's practical measures against idolatrous practices.
- 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 (allusion): Paul's earlier discussion in the same letter about idols and food offered to them frames his stronger injunction here to avoid participating in idolatry for the sake of conscience and community.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
- Brothers, flee from idolatry.
1Cor.10.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ως: ADV
- φρονιμοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- λεγω·κρινατε: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- φημι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 11:13 (verbal): Paul again uses κρίνετε language ('judge among yourselves') when urging the Corinthians to evaluate a specific practice, paralleling 10:15's appeal to assess his present statements.
- 1 Corinthians 14:29 (verbal): In instructions for orderly worship Paul tells others to 'weigh' or 'judge' prophetic utterances (κρινατωσαν), a closely related verbal and procedural parallel to 10:15's call to judge his words.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (thematic): Paul commands believers to 'test all things' and hold fast to what is good, reflecting the same responsible evaluative stance urged in 1 Cor 10:15.
- John 7:24 (thematic): Jesus' admonition to 'judge with right judgment' (not by appearances) echoes the ethical/theological principle of discerning rightly that underlies Paul's appeal in 10:15.
- Acts 17:11 (thematic): The Bereans' practice of examining the Scriptures to verify Paul's teaching models the evaluative attitude Paul commends in 1 Cor 10:15—responsible testing of spoken instruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- I speak to sensible people—judge for yourselves what I say.
- I speak to the sensible—judge for yourselves what I say.
1Cor.10.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ποτηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ευλογιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ευλογουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- ουχι: PART
- κοινωνια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αιματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αρτον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- κλωμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- ουχι: PART
- κοινωνια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σωματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Cor 11:23-29 (verbal): Paul's own eucharistic tradition repeats the same cup/bread = body/blood language and applies it to proper participation and warning about unworthy partaking.
- Luke 22:19-20 (thematic): The Last Supper institution: Jesus' words ‘this is my body… this cup… my blood of the new covenant’ provide the narrative source and theological basis for Paul’s eucharistic language.
- John 6:53-56 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching that one must eat his flesh and drink his blood emphasizes real participatory union with Christ—echoing Paul’s koinōnia (participation) imagery.
- Acts 2:42 (verbal): The early church’s regular ‘breaking of bread’ paired with ‘fellowship’ (koinōnia) links the communal meal with the participatory language Paul uses in 1 Cor 10:16.
- Hebrews 9:14 (thematic): Reflection on the efficacy of Christ’s blood to cleanse/consecrate and establish the new covenant parallels Paul’s emphasis on the redemptive, covenantal significance of the cup (blood) in the supper.
Alternative generated candidates
- The cup of blessing which we bless—is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break—is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
- The cup of blessing that we bless— is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break— is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
1Cor.10.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- αρτος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- σωμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εσμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ενος: NUM,gen,sg,m
- αρτου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μετεχομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 10:16 (verbal): Uses the same eucharistic language of participation (κοινωνία) in bread and cup; v.16 frames the concrete ritual basis for v.17's assertion that partaking one bread makes many one body.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (quotation): Paul's institution tradition of the Lord’s Supper—'this is my body'—provides the theological foundation for understanding the shared bread as constitutive of communal unity and remembrance.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (thematic): Develops the same 'many members, one body' motif: corporate unity is produced by a common participation (here baptism/Spirit) analogous to the unity produced by sharing one bread.
- John 6:51-58 (allusion): Jesus' 'living bread' discourse and the call to eat his flesh and drink his blood supplies an important Johannine background to eucharistic language about participation in one body and life.
- Acts 2:42,46 (thematic): Early Christian practice of 'breaking bread' in the fellowship is portrayed as central to communal life and unity—an action parallel to Paul's claim that sharing one bread makes many one body.
Alternative generated candidates
- Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
- Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
1Cor.10.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- βλεπετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ισραηλ: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- κατα: PREP
- σαρκα·ουχ: NOUN,acc,sg,f+PART
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- εσθιοντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- θυσιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- κοινωνοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θυσιαστηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 (verbal): Uses nearly identical wording: those who attend the temple/share in the altar partake of the sacrificial food — Paul repeats the same participatory imagery to justify support of ministers.
- Leviticus 7:11-15 (allusion): Law on peace-offerings: portions of the sacrifice were to be eaten by the offerer and priests, providing the cultic background for 'those who eat the sacrifices are participants in the altar.'
- Numbers 18:8-13 (allusion): Regulation assigning portions of offerings to the Levites and priests — an OT precedent that those who serve/benefit from the cult 'share' in the sacrificial food.
- Hebrews 13:10 (thematic): Speaks of an altar from which those serving the tabernacle have no right to eat — uses altar/participation language to distinguish Christian identity relative to temple sacrifice, echoing Paul’s cultic categories.
- Acts 21:24-26 (thematic): Narrates Paul’s participation in Jewish purification/offering rites in the temple (paying for four men) — a concrete example of participation in temple sacrificial practices and communal meals.
Alternative generated candidates
- Consider Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?
- Consider Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat of the sacrifices sharers in the altar?
1Cor.10.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ουν: CONJ
- φημι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- ειδωλοθυτον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- οτι: CONJ
- ειδωλον: NOUN,nom-acc,sg,n
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Cor 8:4 (verbal): Directly echoes the claim that 'an idol is nothing' (οἶδεν ἄνθρωπος), which 1 Cor 10:19 questions and frames in relation to food offered to idols.
- 1 Cor 10:20-21 (structural): Immediate continuation and answer to 10:19: Paul explains that what is offered to idols is offered to demons, therefore participation is incompatible with communion with the Lord.
- 1 Cor 8:8 (thematic): Develops the same theme about food offered to idols — that food does not commend us to God — highlighting the moral and ecclesial implications of eating such food.
- Romans 14:2-3 (thematic): Addresses disputes about allowable food and the role of conscience and the 'weaker brother,' supplying the ethical principle behind Paul's restriction on eating food associated with idols.
- Acts 15:20, 29 (thematic): The Jerusalem council's ruling to abstain from food polluted by idols reflects the early church's practical response to the very issue Paul raises in 1 Cor 10:19–21.
Alternative generated candidates
- What then do I mean? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
- What then? Do I mean that an idol is anything, or that what is offered to idols is anything?
1Cor.10.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλ᾽οτι: CONJ
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- θυουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- δαιμονιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- θυουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ου: PART,neg
- θελω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- κοινωνους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- δαιμονιων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- γινεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 32:17 (verbal): Moses' song says they 'sacrificed to demons, not to God'—a near-verbal background Paul echoes about idol-sacrifices being to demons.
- Psalm 106:37-38 (quotation): Speaks of Israelites sacrificing sons and daughters to demons; an OT witness linking sacrifice and demonic worship that Paul invokes.
- 1 Corinthians 8:4-7 (thematic): Paul's earlier discussion that 'an idol is nothing' and concerns about food offered to idols relates directly to the issue of participating in idol-sacrifices and their moral consequences.
- Romans 1:23-25 (thematic): Describes people exchanging the worship of the Creator for creatures/images—thematic parallel about idolatry misdirecting worship away from God (akin to sacrificing to demons).
- Acts 17:16 (thematic): Paul's reaction to a city 'full of idols' highlights the pervasive idol-worship among Gentiles, the cultural setting for sacrifices Paul identifies as directed to demons.
Alternative generated candidates
- No; but what the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God—and I do not want you to be partners with demons.
- No; rather, what the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
1Cor.10.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ου: PART,neg
- δυνασθε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- ποτηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πινειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- ποτηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- δαιμονιων·ου: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- δυνασθε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- τραπεζης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μετεχειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- τραπεζης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δαιμονιων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- 1 Cor 10:20 (verbal): Immediate context: Paul explicitly says what pagans sacrifice is offered to demons and that he does not want Christians to be participants with demons—directly echoes 'cup/table of demons' language.
- 1 Cor 8:10-13 (thematic): Discusses eating food offered to idols and the responsibility not to cause others to stumble; addresses participation with idolatrous practices and conscience issues related to shared meals.
- 1 Cor 11:27-29 (verbal): Uses the same Eucharistic imagery (the Lord's cup/table) and warns against partaking unworthily—contrast between proper participation in the Lord's table and illicit participation elsewhere.
- Acts 15:20,29 (thematic): The Jerusalem council's injunction to abstain from things polluted by idols reflects the early church's prohibition on participation in idolatrous meals/sacrifices.
- 2 Cor 6:14-17 (thematic): Appeal to separation from unbelievers ('what partnership has light with darkness?') parallels Paul's call to avoid participation in idolatrous/fellowship practices with demons.
Alternative generated candidates
- You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.
- 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.
1Cor.10.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- παραζηλουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μη: PART
- ισχυροτεροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εσμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- Deut.32:21 (quotation): OT source language about provoking God to jealousy ('I will provoke them to jealousy'); Paul alludes to this covenantal motif linking idolatry with provoking the Lord.
- Rom.10:19 (verbal): Paul here explicitly cites Deut 32:21 ('I will make you jealous'), showing he draws on the same OT wording and concept when discussing Gentiles and Israel.
- Rom.11:11-14 (thematic): Paul argues that salvation to the Gentiles is meant to 'make Israel jealous'—the theme of provoking God/people to jealousy is used to explain Gentile inclusion and its effect on Israel.
- Ps.78:58-59 (thematic): The psalm recounts Israel provoking God to anger/jealousy through idolatry, providing a background motif for Paul’s warning against participating in idol feasts.
- Deut.4:24 (verbal): Declaration that the LORD is a 'jealous God'—the broader theological claim underlying Paul’s rhetorical question about provoking the Lord to jealousy.
Alternative generated candidates
- Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
- Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Brothers, therefore, flee from idolatry.
I speak as to those of understanding; judge for yourselves what I say.
The cup of blessing which we bless— is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break— is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.
Consider Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?
What then? Is what is offered to an idol anything, or is an idol anything? But I say that what the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become participants with demons.
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.
Or shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?