1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians · Chapter 10

1 Corinthians 10:20

1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;3And did all eat the same spiritual meat;4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.18Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?20But 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.21Ye 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.22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?23All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.24Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:26For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.27If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.28But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:29Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?30For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
20But 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.No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
Ratherἀλλ᾽all᾽G0235
but

ἀλλά (alla) ἀλλά (ἀλλ᾽ usually bef. α and υ, often bef. ε and η, rarely bef. ο and ω, never bef. ι; Tdf., Pr., 93 f.; WH, App., 146), adversative particle, stronger than δέ; prop. neuter pl. of ἄλλος, used adverbially, with changed accent; hence prop. otherwise, on the other hand (cf. Rom.3:31); …

thatὅτιhotiG3754G
that/since: that

ὅτι (hoti) ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; 1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. 2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; …

whatἃhaG3739
which

ὅς (hos, hē) ὅς, ἥ, ὅ, the postpositive article (ἄρθρον ὑποτακτικόν). I. As demonstr. pron. = οὗτος, ὅδε, this, that, also for αὐτός, chiefly in nom.: ὅς δέ, but he (cf. ἦ δὲ ὅς, frequently in Plat.), Mrk.15:23, Jhn.5:11; ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, the one . . . the other, Mat.21:35, 22:5, 25:15, Luk.23:33, Act.27:14, Rom.14:5, 1Co.11:21, 2Co.2:18, Ju 22; neut., ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δέ, the one . . . the other, some . . . some, Mat.13:8, 23, Rom.9:21; ὃς (ὃ) μὲν . . . (ἄλλος (ἄλλο)) . . . ἕτερος, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, 1Co.12:8-10; οὓς μέν, absol., 1Co.12:28; ὃς μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, Rom.14:2. …

they sacrificeθύουσινthuousinG2380
to sacrifice

θύω (thuō) θύω [in LXX chiefly for זָבַח, also for שָׁחַט, etc. ;] as in c1.; 1. to offer first fruits to a god. 2. to sacrifice by slaying a victim, offer sacrifice: Act.14:13; with dative of person(s), Act.14:18; id. with accusative of thing(s), 1Co.10:20. 3. to slay, kill: Jhn.10:10, Act.10:13 11:7; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.15:23, 27 15:30; pass., Mat.22:4; τὸ πάσχα (Exo.12:21), Mrk.14:12; pass., Luk.22:7, 1Co.5:7.† (AS)

gentilesἔθνη,ethnēG1484
Gentiles

ἔθνος (ethnos) ἔθνος, -ους, τό, [in LXX chiefly for עַם ,גּוֹי ;] 1. a multitude, a company, whether of beasts or men (Hom.). 2. a nation, people: Mat.21:43 24:7, Mrk.13:8, Luk.22:25, Act.10:35, al.; in sing., of the Jewish people, Luk.7:5 23:2, Jhn.11:48, 50-53 18:35, Act.10:22 24:3, 10 26:4 28:19. 3. In pl., as in OT, τὰ ἔ. (like Heb. הַגּוֹיִם), the nations, as distinct from Israel, Gentiles: Mat.4:15 6:32, Act.26:17, Rom.3:29 11:11 15:10, Gal.2:8, al.; of Gentile Christians, Rom.11:13 15:27 16:4, Gal.2:12, 14, Eph.3:1. SYN.: λαός (see DCG, ii, 229; Cremer, 226). (AS)

to demonsδαιμονίοιςdaimonioisG1140
demon

δαιμόνιον (daimonion) δαιμόνιον, -ου, τό (neut. of δαιμόνιος, -α, -ον, divine), [in LXX (so also in π; see MM, Exp., x) for שֵׁד, אֱלִיל, (frequently in To) ;] 1. as in cl.; (a) the Divine power, Deity (Hdt., Plat., al.); (b) an inferior divinity, deity or demon (as in magical π, Deiss., BS, 281; MM, Exp., x): ξένα δ., Act.17:18. 2. (a) in OT, heathen deities, false gods (e.g. Deu.32:17, Psa.95 (96):5); …

andκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

notοὐouG3756
no

οὐ (ou) οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); 1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. …

to GodθεῷtheōG2316
God

θεός (theos) θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. 1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. 2. Of the one true God; …

they sacrifice;θύουσιν·thuousinG2380
to sacrifice

θύω (thuō) θύω [in LXX chiefly for זָבַח, also for שָׁחַט, etc. ;] as in c1.; 1. to offer first fruits to a god. 2. to sacrifice by slaying a victim, offer sacrifice: Act.14:13; with dative of person(s), Act.14:18; id. with accusative of thing(s), 1Co.10:20. 3. to slay, kill: Jhn.10:10, Act.10:13 11:7; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.15:23, 27 15:30; pass., Mat.22:4; τὸ πάσχα (Exo.12:21), Mrk.14:12; pass., Luk.22:7, 1Co.5:7.† (AS)

NotοὐouG3756
no

οὐ (ou) οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); 1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. …

I do wishθέλωthelōG2309
to will/desire

θέλω (thelō) θέλω (the strengthened form ἐθέλω is found in Hom., and is the more frequently in Attic; see Rutherford, NPhr., 415f.), [in LXX for חפץ ,אבה; with neg., מאן pi., etc. ;] to will, be willing, wish, desire (more frequently than βούλομαι, which see, in vernac. and late Gk., also in MGr.; for various views as to its relation to β., see Thayer, 286; but see also BL, §24, see word): absol., Rom.9:16, 1Co.4:19 12:18, Jas.4:15; τ. θεοῦ θέλοντος, Act.18:21; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.20:21, Mrk.14:36, Jhn.15:7, Rom.7:15, 16 1Co.4:21 7:36, Gal.5:17; with inf., Mat.5:40, Mrk.10:43, Jhn.6:21, 67 R …

nowδὲdeG1161
then

δέ (de) δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; 1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; …

youὑμᾶςhumasG4771
you

σέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

fellow partakersκοινωνοὺςkoinōnousG2844
participant

κοινωνός (koinōnos) κοινωνός, -ή, -όν (κοινός), [in LXX: Pro.28:24, Isa.1:23 (חָבֵר), Mal.2:14 (חֲבֶרֶת), Est.8:13, al. ;] 1. as adj., = κοινός. 2. As subst., ὁ, ἡ κ., (a) a partner, associate, companion: 2Co.8:23, Phm 17; with dative of person(s), Luk.5:10; with genitive of person(s), Heb.10:33; id. before ἐν, Mat.23:30; (b) a partaker, sharer: with genitive of thing(s), 1Co.10:18 10:20, 2Co.1:7, 1Pe.5:1, 2Pe.1:4 (see Deiss., BS, 368 n2).† (AS)

with demonsδαιμονίωνdaimoniōnG1140
demon

δαιμόνιον (daimonion) δαιμόνιον, -ου, τό (neut. of δαιμόνιος, -α, -ον, divine), [in LXX (so also in π; see MM, Exp., x) for שֵׁד, אֱלִיל, (frequently in To) ;] 1. as in cl.; (a) the Divine power, Deity (Hdt., Plat., al.); (b) an inferior divinity, deity or demon (as in magical π, Deiss., BS, 281; MM, Exp., x): ξένα δ., Act.17:18. 2. (a) in OT, heathen deities, false gods (e.g. Deu.32:17, Psa.95 (96):5); …

to be.γίνεσθαι.ginesthaiG1096
to be

γίνομαι (ginomai) γίνομαι, Ion. and κοινή for Att. γίγν- (M. Pr., 47; Bl., §6, 8 Mayser, 166 f.), [in LXX chiefly for היה ;] 1. of persons, things occurrences, to come into being, be born, arise, come on: Jhn.1:15 8:58, 1Co.15:37; a first appearance in public, Mrk.1:4, Jhn.1:6, al.; before ἐκ (of birth), Rom.1:3, Gal.4:4; διά, Jhn.1:3; βροντή, Jhn.12:29; σεισμός, Rev.6:12; γογγυσμός, Act.6:1; χαρά, Act.8:8, many other similar exx.; ἡμέρα, Luk.22:66, al.; ὀψέ, Mrk.11:19; πρωΐα, Mat.27:1; νύξ, Act.27:27. …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.