1 Corinthians 10:19 Meaning and Explanation
“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul anticipates a question: is he saying an idol or its sacrifice has any real substance?
What Does 1 Corinthians 10:19 Mean?
Paul raises an objection his readers might press. Earlier he had agreed that an idol is nothing, a mere image with no god behind it. So is he now contradicting himself, claiming the idol or its offering has power in itself? He poses the question to clarify what he does and does not mean.
The answer, unfolded in the next verses, is careful. An idol is not a true god, yet idolatry is far from harmless. Paul refuses both errors: he will not grant the idol any divine reality, but neither will he treat pagan worship as empty and safe. This honest reasoning invites the believer to think clearly, holding firmly that God alone is God while still taking seriously the spiritual danger of false worship.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 10:19
What does 1 Corinthians 10:19 mean?
Paul anticipates a question: is he saying an idol or its sacrifice has any real substance?