John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 10:14

"Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." — 1 Corinthians 10:14 (ASV)

Therefore, my beloved, flee, etc. The Apostle now returns to the particular question from which he had briefly digressed. For, so that doctrine alone would not have little effect among them, he has introduced those general exhortations that we have read. But now he pursues the discussion on which he had entered: that it is not permissible for a Christian to associate with the superstitions of the wicked and participate in them.

Flee, he says, from idolatry. In the first place, let us observe what meaning he attaches to the term Idolatry. He certainly did not suspect the Corinthians of such a degree of ignorance or carelessness as to think that they worshipped idols in their heart. But as they did not hesitate to attend the gatherings of the wicked and participate with them in certain rites instituted in honor of idols, he condemns this liberty they took as a very bad example.

It is certain, then, that when he here speaks of idolatry, he speaks of what is outward—or, if you prefer, of the profession of idolatry. For just as God is said to be worshipped by the bending of the knee and other signs of reverence, while the principal and genuine worship of Him is inward, so it is also with idols, for the same holds true for opposites.

It is useless for many today to try to excuse outward actions on the pretext that their heart is not in them, when Paul convicts those very acts of idolatry—and certainly with good reason. For, as we owe to God not merely the secret affection of the heart but also outward adoration, the person who offers an idol an appearance of adoration takes away from the honor due to God. However much they may claim that their heart is not in it, the action itself is visible, in which the honor due to God is transferred to an idol.