1 Corinthians 10:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold {G991} Israel {G2474} after {G2596} the flesh {G4561}: are {G1526} not {G3780} they {G1526} which eat {G2068} of the sacrifices {G2378} partakers {G2844} of the altar {G2379}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Look at physical Isra’el: don’t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

Berean Standard Bible

Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 10:18 serves as a pivotal point in Paul's comprehensive argument against idolatry, demonstrating the profound spiritual implications of participation in religious rituals. Paul draws a compelling analogy from the Old Testament sacrificial system, asserting that just as those who partake of the sacrifices offered on the altar are inherently in communion with the God to whom the sacrifice is made, so too does participation in any sacrificial meal establish a spiritual bond with the entity being honored. This principle underscores the gravity of Christian engagement with pagan practices and sets the stage for Paul's strong admonition against partaking in the "table of demons."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Paul's broader discourse in 1 Corinthians 10, where he issues a stern warning to the Corinthian believers against the dangers of idolatry and spiritual compromise. Immediately preceding this verse, Paul has just expounded on the profound significance of the Lord's Supper, describing it as a true participation in the body and blood of Christ ([1 Corinthians 10:16-17](/1-corinthians/10-16-17 "1 Corinthians 10:16-17 - The Lord's Supper as Communion")). By introducing the example of Israel's sacrifices, Paul establishes a foundational principle of spiritual communion through ritualistic eating, setting up a stark contrast between the table of the Lord and the table of demons, which he explicitly warns against in the verses that follow ([1 Corinthians 10:20-21](/1-corinthians/10-20-21 "1 Corinthians 10:20-21 - Warning Against the Table of Demons")). The entire chapter functions as a cautionary tale, drawing lessons from Israel's wilderness wanderings to highlight the perils of spiritual presumption and the necessity of fleeing idolatry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church existed in a bustling, cosmopolitan city deeply steeped in Greco-Roman polytheism. Public life often revolved around pagan temples, where sacrifices were offered to various gods, and portions of the sacrificial meat were then sold in the market or consumed in temple dining rooms as part of communal feasts. Many Corinthian Christians, having come from pagan backgrounds, struggled with how to navigate these cultural practices, particularly regarding eating meat that had been offered to idols. Some believed that since "an idol is nothing" ([1 Corinthians 8:4](/1-corinthians/8-4 "1 Corinthians 8:4 - An Idol Is Nothing")), eating such meat was permissible, especially if done without conscious participation in the idolatrous act. Paul addresses this complex issue by appealing to the universally understood concept of sacrifice and communion, drawing upon the familiar practices of both Jewish and pagan worship to make his point.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Corinthians. Foremost is the theme of **Spiritual Participation and Communion**, emphasizing that religious acts, especially those involving shared meals and sacrifices, are not merely physical but establish a deep spiritual bond with the deity or entity being honored. This is profoundly illustrated by the contrast between the [Lord's Supper](/1-corinthians/10-16 "1 Corinthians 10:16 - The Cup of Blessing and the Bread") and pagan feasts. Another key theme is **Warning Against Idolatry**, as Paul uses the principle of participation to underscore the real spiritual danger of engaging in practices associated with false gods, even if one intellectually dismisses the idols themselves. Finally, the verse highlights the **Old Testament as a Moral and Theological Precedent**, demonstrating Paul's consistent method of drawing lessons from Israel's history to instruct and warn the New Testament church, as seen throughout [1 Corinthians 10](/1-corinthians/10 "1 Corinthians 10 - Warnings from Israel's History").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **flesh (Greek, _sárx'_):** (G4561) In this context, "after the flesh" refers to the physical, natural lineage of Israel, distinguishing them as a people group descended from Jacob, rather than implying a spiritual or carnal disposition. It points to their physical participation in the sacrificial system.
* **eat (Greek, _esthíō'_):** (G2068) This word denotes the literal act of consuming food. However, in the context of sacrifices, it carries profound spiritual weight, signifying not just physical nourishment but an act of participation and identification with the sacrificial ritual and the deity to whom it is offered.
* **partakers (Greek, _koinōnós'_):** (G2844) This crucial term means "a sharer," "associate," or "companion." It emphasizes a deep fellowship, partnership, or spiritual sharing. Paul's use here highlights that eating from the sacrifices creates a genuine spiritual bond or communion with the altar, and by extension, with the God or entity associated with that altar.
* **altar (Greek, _thysiastḗrion'_):** (G2379) This refers to a place of sacrifice, specifically the structure upon which offerings were made to God. The altar represents the locus of divine presence, acceptance, and covenant interaction. To be a "partaker of the altar" means to be in communion with the divine activity and presence associated with the sacrificial system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold Israel after the flesh:"** Paul directs the Corinthians' attention to the physical nation of Israel, the descendants of Jacob. He uses them as a clear, undeniable example from their shared religious heritage, appealing to a practice universally understood by both Jewish and Gentile converts familiar with the Old Testament. This sets the stage for an analogy based on a well-established religious custom.
* **"are not they which eat of the sacrifices"** This clause refers to the Israelites who participated in the sacrificial feasts prescribed by the Mosaic Law, particularly peace offerings (Leviticus 7). In these offerings, a portion of the animal was burned on the altar for God, a portion was given to the priests, and the remainder was eaten by the worshiper and their family. The act of eating the sacrificial meat was an integral part of the ritual, signifying completion and communion.
* **"partakers of the altar?"** This rhetorical question expects an affirmative answer. Paul's point is that by eating the meat that had been offered on the altar, the Israelites were not merely consuming food but were actively participating in the sacred act of sacrifice. This participation established a spiritual communion or fellowship with God, who was understood to receive a portion of the sacrifice on the altar. The "altar" here represents the divine presence and the covenant relationship.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in this verse. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?" This question is posed not to elicit information but to assert a self-evident truth, compelling the audience to agree with Paul's premise. By framing it as a question, Paul engages the Corinthians directly, leading them to an inescapable conclusion based on their own understanding of religious practice. Furthermore, the verse functions as an **Analogy** or **Parallelism**, drawing a direct comparison between the Israelite sacrificial system and the principles of spiritual communion. This analogy prepares the ground for Paul's subsequent comparison of the Lord's Supper with pagan idolatrous feasts, establishing a universal principle that participation in a sacrificial meal implies communion with the entity to whom the sacrifice is offered. There is also an element of **Metonymy** in "partakers of the altar," where the "altar" stands in for God Himself or the sacred covenant relationship established through the sacrificial system.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is foundational for understanding the nature of spiritual communion and the dangers of syncretism. Paul establishes a universal principle: participation in a religious meal, especially one involving sacrifice, creates a bond or communion with the deity or entity being honored. For Israel, eating from the sacrifices meant fellowship with Yahweh, their covenant God. This principle directly informs Paul's warning to the Corinthians against participating in pagan feasts, even if they intellectually dismissed the idols. The act itself carried spiritual weight, implying a communion with demons, which Paul explicitly states is incompatible with communion with Christ. This highlights the exclusivity of Christian worship and the necessity of discerning our associations.

* [Leviticus 7:15](/leviticus/7-15 "Leviticus 7:15 - Eating of the Peace Offering"): This passage describes the eating of the peace offering, where the worshiper partakes of the sacrifice, signifying communion with God.
* [Deuteronomy 32:17](/deuteronomy/32-17 "Deuteronomy 32:17 - Sacrificing to Demons"): Moses warns Israel about sacrificing to "devils" (demons), illustrating the concept of communion with false gods through sacrificial acts.
* [1 Corinthians 10:20-21](/1-corinthians/10-20-21 "1 Corinthians 10:20-21 - You Cannot Drink the Cup of the Lord and the Cup of Demons"): Paul explicitly applies the principle from 1 Corinthians 10:18, stating that one cannot partake of the Lord's table and the table of demons.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 10:18 profoundly challenges believers to consider the spiritual implications of their actions and associations. It moves beyond a superficial understanding of religious rituals, asserting that true participation in worship creates a deep, often unseen, spiritual bond. For us today, this means discerning not only what we physically consume but also what we spiritually "partake" in. Our choices regarding entertainment, relationships, media consumption, and even our vocational pursuits can signify a form of allegiance or communion. This verse calls us to guard against subtle forms of idolatry, recognizing that anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts—be it money, power, pleasure, or self-affirmation—can become an "altar" to which we offer our devotion. It compels us to examine our allegiances and ensure that our lives consistently reflect our communion with Christ alone, valuing the profound significance of the Lord's Supper as our true spiritual nourishment and fellowship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be unknowingly "partaking of an altar" that is not God's?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater awareness of the spiritual implications of my daily choices and associations?**
* **What does it truly mean for me to be in "communion" with Christ through the Lord's Supper, and how should this transform my other allegiances?**
* **Are there any "tables" in my life (e.g., social groups, media, habits) that might be subtly drawing me into a form of communion that conflicts with my allegiance to Christ?**

### FAQ
**What is the main point Paul is making in 1 Corinthians 10:18?**

Answer: The main point Paul is making is that participation in a sacrificial meal inherently creates a spiritual bond or communion with the entity to whom the sacrifice is offered. He uses the example of Israel's Old Testament sacrifices to demonstrate that when Israelites ate from the sacrifices, they were understood to be in communion with God, who received a portion on the altar. This principle then serves as the foundation for his warning against partaking in pagan feasts, which would imply communion with demons, a practice utterly incompatible with communion with Christ ([1 Corinthians 10:20-21](/1-corinthians/10-20-21 "1 Corinthians 10:20-21 - You Cannot Drink the Cup of the Lord and the Cup of Demons")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Corinthians 10:18, by establishing the principle of spiritual communion through sacrifice, powerfully foreshadows and illuminates the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment of all sacrifice. In the Old Testament, the Israelite sacrifices, while pointing to God's covenant, were imperfect and temporary, requiring repeated offerings. However, Christ, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:26-28](/hebrews/9-26-28 "Hebrews 9:26-28 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). When believers partake in the Lord's Supper, they are not merely remembering an event; they are spiritually participating in Christ's body and blood, entering into profound communion with Him and His finished work on the cross ([1 Corinthians 10:16](/1-corinthians/10-16 "1 Corinthians 10:16 - The Cup of Blessing and the Bread")). This communion is not with a mere physical altar, but with the living Christ, who is both the sacrifice and the High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus the Great High Priest")). Thus, Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 10:18 serves to underscore the unique and exclusive nature of Christian communion, contrasting it sharply with any other form of spiritual allegiance, and directing all worship and fellowship to the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 7:6

Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it [is] most holy.

Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Philippians 3:5

Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

Galatians 6:16

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace [be] on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Leviticus 3:11

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

Romans 1:3

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

2 Corinthians 11:18

Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.