Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers to correct their casual approach to pagan feasts, warning them that shared meals carry spiritual allegiance.
The words — Paul uses θύουσιν (thuousin, "they sacrifice") and δαιμονίοις (daimoniois, "to demons") to state that pagan offerings are directed to demonic powers rather than to God.
The thread — This link between idolatry and demonic activity appears in Psalm 106:37, which records sacrifices to demons, and Revelation 9:20, which notes survivors refusing to repent of their idolatrous works.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that partaking in pagan rituals establishes spiritual participation with demonic forces, demanding exclusive commitment to Christ.
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
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 fellowship with devils.
Cross-references
- Revelation 9:20 Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.
- Psalms 106:37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.
- Deuteronomy 32:16 They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- Leviticus 17:7 They must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat demons to which they have prostituted themselves. This will be a permanent statute for them for the generations to come.’
- 2 Chronicles 11:15 And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat demons and calf idols he had made.