Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 10:20

"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." — 1 Corinthians 10:20 (ASV)

But I say.—Better, No; but that the things which they sacrifice they sacrifice to devils, and not to God.

The word “devils” means evil spirits. The Gentile world is regarded by the Christian Church as under the dominion of the Evil Spirit and his emissaries (Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12).

Thus, in reminding the Corinthians that in Israel an eater of the sacrificial meat became a participant with the altar of God, the Apostle meant to warn them. He cautioned that if they partook of sacrificial meats offered on an altar of devils, they would become a sharer with that altar and the beings to whom the altar pertained.