Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 10:14
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers immediately after describing God’s provision during temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). He issues the command as he shifts from explaining spiritual principles to directing their practical conduct.
The words — φεύγετε (pheugete) translates literally as "do flee," and εἰδωλολατρίας (eidōlolatrias) means "idolatry." The Greek imperative mood constructs the statement as a direct command rather than an optional recommendation.
The thread — The prohibition against idolatry reappears in Revelation 21:8, which lists idolaters among those facing judgment, and 1 John 5:21, which commands believers to keep themselves from idols. Paul echoes a similar call to purity in 2 Corinthians 7:1, linking the avoidance of defilement to divine promises.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate physical and relational separation from idol worship before offering any theological rationale. A reader must decide whether to comply with the directive or disregard the instruction entirely.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
Cross-references
- Revelation 21:8 But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”
- 1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- 1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
- Revelation 22:15 But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
- Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
- 1 Corinthians 10:7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.
- Revelation 13:8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.