1 Corinthians 10:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 10:18 mean?

1 Corinthians 10:18 points out that the people of Israel, when they ate food from the sacrifices, were sharing in what was offered on the altar. The verse uses this example to show that participating in a religious meal connects a person to the spiritual meaning behind it.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, explaining how eating food sacrificed to idols is not just a physical act but has spiritual significance. He reminds them of Israel’s practice, where eating sacrificial food meant sharing in the worship at the altar. Paul’s point is that what believers participate in, even through eating, has deeper meaning and consequences.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 10:18

• "συγκοινωνοί" (synkoinōnoi, translated "partakers"): This word means "sharers" or "partners." Paul uses it to highlight that those who eat the sacrifices are not just eating food, but are joining in what the altar represents—participation in worship.
• "θυσιαστήριον" (thysiastērion, translated "altar"): This term refers to the physical altar where sacrifices are made. It emphasizes that the act of eating is directly tied to the religious ritual and its spiritual implications.
• "κατὰ σάρκα" (kata sarka, translated "after the flesh"): This phrase means "according to the flesh" or "in a physical sense," pointing to the literal, earthly nation of Israel, not a spiritualized version.

Why 1 Corinthians 10:18 matters

• This verse clarifies that religious rituals, like eating sacrifices, are not just empty traditions but involve real participation in what the ritual stands for.
• Paul’s use of Israel’s example helps the Corinthians understand the seriousness of participating in pagan feasts, making it clear that such acts have spiritual consequences.
• The verse connects to Paul’s larger argument in this chapter about the dangers of idolatry and the importance of being mindful about what believers join themselves to, even through everyday actions like eating.