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

Other Translations of 1 Corinthians 10:19

King James Version

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

English Standard Version

19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

The Message

19 Do you see the difference? Sacrifices offered to idols are offered to nothing, for what's the idol but a nothing?

New King James Version

19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?

New Living Translation

19 What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods?

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:19

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:15-22

(Read 1 Corinthians 10:15-22)

Did not the joining in the Lord's supper show a profession of faith in Christ crucified, and of adoring gratitude to him for his salvation ? Christians, by this ordinance, and the faith therein professed, were united as the grains of wheat in one loaf of bread, or as the members in the human body, seeing they were all united to Christ, and had fellowship with him and one another. This is confirmed from the Jewish worship and customs in sacrifice. The apostle applies this to feasting with idolaters. Eating food as part of a heathen sacrifice, was worshipping the idol to whom it was made, and having fellowship or communion with it; just as he who eats the Lord's supper, is accounted to partake in the Christian sacrifice, or as they who ate the Jewish sacrifices partook of what was offered on their altar. It was denying Christianity; for communion with Christ, and communion with devils, could never be had at once. If Christians venture into places, and join in sacrifices to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, they will provoke God.