Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 10:19

"What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?" — 1 Corinthians 10:19 (ASV)

What say I then? This is in the present tense: ti oun fhmi, what do I say? What is my meaning? What follows from this? Do I mean to say that an idol is anything; that it has a real existence? Does my reasoning lead to that conclusion—and am I to be understood as affirming that an idol is of itself of any consequence?

It must be remembered that the Corinthian Christians are introduced by Paul (1 Corinthians 8:4) as saying that they knew that an idol was nothing in the world. Paul did not directly contradict that, but his reasoning had led him to the necessity of calling into question the propriety of their attending the feasts of idols. He introduces the matter now by asking these questions, thus leading the mind to it rather than directly affirming it at once.

"Am I in this reasoning to be understood as affirming that an idol is anything, or that the meat offered there differs from other meat? No; you know," Paul says, "that this is not my meaning. I admit that an idol in itself is nothing, but I do not admit, therefore, that it is right for you to attend their temples. For though the idol itself—the block of wood or stone—is nothing, yet the offerings are really made to devils; and I would not have you engage in such a service" (1 Corinthians 10:20–21).

That the idol is any thing? That the block of wood or stone is a real living object of worship, to be dreaded or loved? (See the notes on 1 Corinthians 8:4).

Or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? Or that the meat which is offered differs from that which is not offered; that the mere act of offering it changes its qualities? I do not admit or suppose this.