1 Corinthians 10:20

20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

1 Corinthians 10:20 in Other Translations

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.

20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.

20 No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons.

20 Or worse than nothing, a minus, a demon! I don't want you to become part of something that reduces you to less than yourself.

20 No, but I do say that what they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons!

1 Corinthians 10:20 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 10:20

But I say
This is my sense and meaning,

that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice unto
devils, and not to God;
reference is had to ( Deuteronomy 32:17 ) for what the Gentiles sacrificed, though they did not sacrifice intentionally to the idols of gold, silver, wood, and stone, but to God in them, as they pretended; yet inasmuch as in such worship and sacrifices they were directed, instigated, influenced, and assisted by devils, who took up their residence in these idols, and gave forth their oracles from them, they sacrificed to them; and which some have done, as in India and China, professedly and openly, and all other idolaters, eventually, virtually, and covertly:

and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils;
as all wicked men have, in the commission of any lust, sin, or immorality; and as all idolaters have in their superstitious practices, and idolatrous worship; and if grace prevent not, will have to all eternity in everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels; wherefore the apostle would have the Corinthians flee from idolatry, and all appearance of it, and abstain from eating things offered to idols, of which they could not eat without having fellowship with devils; this he says, to deter them from such practices, which must be very horrible and shocking, and bespeaks in him great care of them, and affection for them.

1 Corinthians 10:20 In-Context

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?

20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.

22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Cross References

• 1. Leviticus 17:7; Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalms 106:37; Revelation 9:20