1 Corinthians 10:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul observes that in Israel's worship those who ate the sacrifices shared in the altar itself.
What Does 1 Corinthians 10:18 Mean?
Paul reaches for an example from Israel's worship. Under the law, when worshipers ate portions of the sacrifices, they became 'partakers of the altar' -- joined to the worship offered there and to the God to whom it was given (as in Leviticus 7). Eating the offering was an act of fellowship with the altar's purpose.
This builds his argument by analogy. If sharing a sacrificial meal means sharing in what the altar represents, then the principle holds wherever such meals are eaten. Paul is laying the groundwork to show why feasting at an idol's table is no neutral act. Worship and the meals tied to it carry real allegiance. The lesson points the believer to guard the heart's devotion, for what we share in shapes whom we belong to.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 10:18
What does 1 Corinthians 10:18 mean?
Paul observes that in Israel's worship those who ate the sacrifices shared in the altar itself.