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What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

Verse Takeaways

1

An Idol is Still Nothing

Paul asks a rhetorical question to confirm what he taught earlier: an idol is physically nothing, just wood or stone, and the food offered to it is not magically changed. Commentators stress that Paul is not contradicting himself but is clarifying his argument before revealing the true danger.

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Book Overview

1 Corinthians

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Commentaries

7

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On 1 Corinthians 10:19

18th Century

Theologian

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 …

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On 1 Corinthians 10:19

A thing sacrificed to idols (ειδωλοθυτον). See on Ac 15:29; 1 Corinthians 8:1,4.

Idol (ειδωλον…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On 1 Corinthians 10:19

19th Century

Bishop

What do I say then?—It might have been argued from the preceding verse that the Apostle admitted the heathen offerings and the id…

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Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On 1 Corinthians 10:19

Here Paul compares the OT sacrifices with pagan offerings. When the people of Israel sacrificed at the altar and ate part of the sacrifice ([Refere…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On 1 Corinthians 10:19

16th Century

Theologian

What do I say then? At first glance, it might seem as if the Apostle either argued inconclusively or ascribed to idols something of existe…

John Gill

John Gill

On 1 Corinthians 10:19

17th Century

Pastor

What say I then ?
&c.] Or may be objected to, or inferred from, what I say;

that an idol is anyth…

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On 1 Corinthians 10:15–22

17th Century

Minister

Did not joining in the Lord's Supper show a profession of faith in Christ crucified, and of adoring gratitude to Him for His salvation? Christians,…