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1
The Reality Behind Idols
Commentators stress that while a physical idol is merely wood or stone, Paul reveals the spiritual reality behind pagan worship. Citing the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 32:17), he argues that these sacrifices are not offered to God or to nothing, but to demons. This reframes idolatry not as a harmless cultural practice, but as interaction with real, malevolent spiritual forces.
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Book Overview
1 Corinthians
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Commentaries
8
Albert Barnes
On 1 Corinthians 10:20
18th Century
Theologian
But. The negative here is omitted but is understood. The ellipsis of a negative after an interrogative sentence is common in classical wri…
AT Robertson
On 1 Corinthians 10:20
But I say that (αλλ' οτ). The verb φημ (I say) must be repeated from verse 19 before οτ.
To demons, and not to God …
Charles Ellicott
On 1 Corinthians 10:20
19th Century
Bishop
But I say.—Better, No; but that the things which they sacrifice they sacrifice to devils, and not to God.
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Charles Spurgeon
On 1 Corinthians 10:20–21
19th Century
Preacher
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowsh…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 1 Corinthians 10:20
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
On 1 Corinthians 10:20
16th Century
Theologian
But the things that the Gentiles sacrifice. To complete the answer, a negative must be understood in this way: “I do not say that an i…
John Gill
On 1 Corinthians 10:20
17th Century
Pastor
But I say
This is my sense and meaning,
that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrif…
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,…