1 Corinthians 10:19

← 1 Corinthians 10:18 1 Corinthians 10:20 →

1 Corinthians 10:19 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?

King James Version KJV

What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

American Standard Version ASV

What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

Bible in Basic English BBE

Do I say, then, that what is offered to images is anything, or that the image is anything?

Free Bible Version FBV

What am I saying then? That anything sacrificed to idols means anything, or that an idol has any real existence? Of course not!

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

What say I then? that the idole is any thing? or that that which is sacrificed to idoles, is any thing?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

what then do I say? that an idol is anything? or that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything? —

World English Bible WEB

What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

Noah Webster Bible WBS

What then do I say? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

What then? Do I say, that what is offered in sacrifice to idols, is any thing? Or, that the idol is any thing?

Translation for Translators T4T

By saying that, I do not mean that offering food to an idol makes it anything more than just ordinary food [RHQ]. I do not mean that an idol is anything more than just an idol.

Plain English Version PEV

You see, this is what I’m saying. Those statues that people think are gods, they are really nothing. And if people give food to those statues, that food doesn’t get any power at all.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 10:19

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Corinthians 10:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK τι ουν φημι οτι ειδωλον τι εστιν η οτι ειδωλοθυτον τι εστιν

τι tis G5101 which? Interrog-ASN

ουν oun G3767 therefore/then Conj

φημι phēmi G5346 to assert Verb-PAI-1S

οτι hoti G3754 that/since: that Conj

ειδωλον eidōlon G1497 idol Noun-NSN

τι tis G5100 one Indef-NSN

εστιν eimi G1510 to be Verb-PAI-3S

η ē G2228 or Particle

οτι hoti G3754 that/since: that Conj

ειδωλοθυτον eidōlothutos G1494 sacrificed to idols Adj-NSN

τι tis G5100 one Indef-NSN

εστιν eimi G1510 to be Verb-PAI-3S

Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 10:19

τι tis G5101 "which?" Interrog-ASN

This interrogative pronoun is used to ask questions like who, which, or what, as seen in Matthew 3:7 and Mark 11:28. It seeks information about a person or thing. This term is essential in direct and indirect questions.

Definition: τίς, neut., τί, genitive, τίνος, interrog. pron., [in LXX for מָה ,מִי ;] in masc. and fem., who, which, what?; in neut., which, what?, used both in direct and in indirect questions. __I. I. As subst., __1. 1. masc., fem.: τίς; who, what?, Mat.3:7 26:68; Mrk.11:28, Luk.9:9, al. mult.; with genitive partit., Act.7:52, Heb.1:5, al; before ἐκ (= genitive partit.), Mat.6:27, Luk.14:28, Jhn.8:46; = ποῖος, Mrk.4:41 6:2, Luk.19:3, Act.17:19, al.; = πότερος (M, Pr., 77), Mat.21:31 27:17, Luk.22:27, al.; = ὅς or ὅστις (rare in cl.; cf. Bl., §50, 5; M, Pr., 93), Act.13:25. __2. Neut.: τί; what?, Mat.5:47 11:7, Mrk.10:3, al.; χάριν τίνος, 1Jn.3:12; διὰ τί, Mat.9:11, al.; εἰς τί, Mat.14:31, al.; elliptically, ἵνα τί (sc. γένηται), why, Mat.9:5, al.; τί οὖν, Rom.3:9 6:1, 15 1Co.14:15, al.; τί γάρ, Rom.3:3, Phi 1:18; τί ἐμοὶ (ὑμῖν) καὶ σοί, see: ἔγω. __II. As adj.: who? what? which?, Mat.5:46, Luk.14:31, Jhn.2:18, al. __III. As adv.: = διὰ τι (τί ὅτι), why, Mat.6:28, Mrk.4:40, Luk.6:46, Jhn.18:23, al.; in rhet. questions, = a negation, Mat.27:4, Jhn.21:22, 23 1Co.5:12 7:16, al. in exclamations (like Heb. מָה), how (2Ki.6:20, Psa.3:2, al.), Luk.12:49. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 514 NT verses. KJV: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why See also: 1 Corinthians 2:11; Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 1:11.

ουν oun G3767 "therefore/then" Conj

This word means therefore or then, showing a consequence. It appears in Matthew 3:10 and Romans 5:9 to connect ideas and events.

Definition: οὖν, particle expressing consequence or simple sequence (never standing first in a sentence), wherefore, therefore, then: Mat.3:10, Luk.3:9, Jhn.8:38, Act.1:21, Rom.5:9, al.; in exhortations, Mat.3:8, Luk.11:35, Act.3:19, Rom.6:12, al.; in questions, Mat.13:28, Mrk.15:12, Jhn.8:[5], Rom.6:1, al.; continuing a narrative or resuming it after a digression, Mat.1:17, Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:22 2:18 (and very frequently in this Gospel), Act.26:22, al.; ἄρα οὖν (see: ἄρα); ἐπεὶ οὖν, Heb.2:14; οὖν with ptcp. (= ἐπεὶ οὖν), Act.2:30, Rom.5:1, al.; ἐὰν οὖν (where οὖν rather in sense belongs to the apodosis), Mat.5:23, Luk.4:7, Jhn.6:62, Rom.2:26, al.; ὡς οὖν, Jhn.4:1, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 515 NT verses. KJV: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore See also: 1 Corinthians 3:5; Acts 23:15; 1 Peter 2:1.

φημι phēmi G5346 "to assert" Verb-PAI-1S

To assert or declare, meaning to speak or say something, as seen in Matthew 13:29 and John 1:23. It is often used to quote someone's words or make a statement.

Definition: φημί [in LXX chiefly for נָאַם, also for אָמַר; frequently in 2-4 Mac ;] to declare, say: frequently in quoting the words of another, Mat.13:29 26:61, Luk.7:40 22:58, Jhn.1:23, al.; interjected into the recorded words (cl.), Mat.14:8, Act.23:35, al.; φησί, impersonal (Bl., § 30, 4), 1Co.6:16 (Lft., Notes, 217; but cf. Bl., l.with), 2Co.10:10 (WH, mg., φασίν), Heb.8:5; joined with syn. verb (cf. LS, see word, II, 2), ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ ἔφη, Luk.23:3; before -πρός, Luk.22:70, al.; with accusative of thing(s), 1Co.10:15 10:19; accusative and inf., Rom.3:8; before ὅτι (Bl., § 70, 3), 1Co.10:19 15:50 (cf. σύν-φημι) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 58 NT verses. KJV: affirm, say See also: 1 Corinthians 6:16; Acts 26:25; Hebrews 8:5.

οτι hoti G3754 "that/since: that" Conj

This Greek word means 'that' or 'because', used to introduce a reason or explanation. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 3:9 and Romans 8:38. It helps to show cause and effect in sentences.

Definition: ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). __I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; __1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. __2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; __3. Untranslatable, before direct discourse (ὅτι recitantis): Mat.7:23, Mrk.2:16, Luk.1:61, Jhn.1:20, Act.15:1, Heb.11:18, al. (on the pleonastic ὡς ὅτι, see: ὡς). __II. As causal particle, for that, because: Mat.5:4-12, Luk.6:20, 21, J0 1:30 5:27, Act.1:5, 1Jn.4:18, Rev.3:10, al. mult.; διὰ τοῦτο ὅτι, Jhn.8:47 10:17, al.; answering a question (διὰ τί), Rom.9:32, al.; οὐκ ὅτι . . . ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι, Jhn.6:26 12:6. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1185 NT verses. KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; 1 John 5:2; 1 Peter 1:12.

ειδωλον eidōlon G1497 "idol" Noun-NSN

An idol is a false god or image, as seen in Acts 7:41 and 1 Corinthians 12:2. It can also refer to the worship of such images, as mentioned in Revelation 9:20.

Definition: εἴδωλον, -ου, τό (εἶδος), [in LXX for אֱלוֹהָּ, גְּלוּלִים, etc. ;] __1. in cl. __(a) a phantom, image, likeness; __(b) an image in the mind, an idea, fancy. __2. In LXX and NT, __(a) an image of a god, an idol (cf. Polyb., xxxi, 3, 13): Act.7:41, 1Co.12:2, Rev.9:20; __(b) the false god or idol worshipped in an image (ICC, on I Th, l.with): Act.15:20, Rom.2:22, 1Co.8:4, 7 10:19 2Co.6:18, 1Th.1:9, 1Jn.5:21.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: idol See also: 1 Corinthians 8:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Revelation 9:20.

τι tis G5100 "one" Indef-NSN

This pronoun refers to a person or thing in a general sense, as seen in Luke 9:49 and John 11:1. It can mean someone, anyone, or anything. This term is often used to describe an unspecified individual or object.

Definition: τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. __I. As subst., __1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. __2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. __II. II. As adj., __1. a certain: Mat.18:12, Luk.1:5 8:27, Act.3:2, al.; with proper names, Mrk.15:21, Luk.23:26, al.; with genitive partit., Luk.7:19, al. __2. some: Mrk.16:[8], Jhn.5:14, Act.17:21 24:24, Heb.11:40, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 490 NT verses. KJV: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 12:17; 1 Peter 2:19.

εστιν eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-PAI-3S

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

η ē G2228 "or" Particle

Or is a word used to show a choice between two things, like in Matthew 5:17 where it's either obey God's law or not. It's also used to compare things, like in Romans 1:21 where it's one thing or another.

Definition: ἤ, disjunctive and comparative particle (Bl., §36, 12; 77, 11); __1. disjunctive, or; __(a) between single words: Mat.5:17 Mrk.6:56, Luk.2:24, Jhn.6:19, Rom.1:21, al.; __(b) before a sentence expressing a variation, denial or refutation of a previous statement, frequently in interrog. form: Mat.7:4, 9 Mrk.12:14, Luk.13:4, Rom.3:29 6:3 9:21, 1Co.6:9, 16 9:6, 2Co.11:7; ἤ . . . ἤ, either . . . or, Mat.6:24, Luk.16:13, 1Co.14:6; __(with) in a disjunctive question (as Lat. an after utrum): Mat.9:5, Mrk.2:9, Luk.7:19, al.; after πότερον, Jhn.7:17; μή, 1Co.9:8; μήτι, 2Co.1:17; ἤ . . . ἤ . . . ἤ, Mrk.13:35. __2. Comparative, than: after comparatives, Mat.10:15, Luk.9:13, Jhn.3:19, Rom.13:11, al.; after ἕτερον, Act.17:21; θέλω (Khüner 3, iv, 303), 1Co.14:19; πρὶν ἤ, before, before accusative and inf., Mat.1:18 Mrk.14:30; after a positive adj. (Gen.49:12; cf. Robertson, Gr., 661), Mat.18:8, 9 Mrk.9:43, 45 47. __3. with other particles: ἀλλ᾽ ἤ, see: ἀλλά; ἤ γάρ, see: γάρ; ἢ καί, or even, or also, Mat.7:10, Luk.11:11, 12 Rom.2:15 4:9, al; ἤτοι . . . ἤ, Rom.6:16 (cf. Wis.11:19). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 281 NT verses. KJV: and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea See also: 1 Corinthians 1:13; Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 1:11.

οτι hoti G3754 "that/since: that" Conj

Usage: Occurs in 1185 NT verses. KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; 1 John 5:2; 1 Peter 1:12.

ειδωλοθυτον eidōlothutos G1494 "sacrificed to idols" Adj-NSN

This term refers to food that has been sacrificed to idols, mentioned in Acts 15:29 and 1 Corinthians 8:1. It describes meat offered to idols. In the Bible, it is associated with pagan worship.

Definition: εἰδωλόθυτος, -ον, (εἴδωλον, θύω), [in LXX: 4Ma.5:2 * ;] sacrificed to idols: τὸ, τὰ εἰ, Act.15:29 21:25, 1Co.8:1, 4 7, 10 10:19, Rev.2:14, 2o.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: (meat, thing that is) offered (in sacrifice, sacrificed) to (unto) idols See also: 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 10:28; Revelation 2:14.

τι tis G5100 "one" Indef-NSN

εστιν eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-PAI-3S

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 10:19

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Corinthians 10:19 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 10:19
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:19
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:19
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:19
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:19
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:19
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 10:19
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 10:19
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:19
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 10:19

Context — Flee from Idolatry

17Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf. 18Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?

19Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?

20No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Corinthians 8:4	So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one.
2	1 Corinthians 3:7	So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
3	1 Corinthians 13:2	If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
4	Deuteronomy 32:21	They have provoked My jealousy by that which is not God; they have enraged Me with their worthless idols. So I will make them jealous by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation without understanding.
5	Isaiah 41:29	See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind.
6	1 Corinthians 1:28	He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,
7	Isaiah 40:17	All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.
8	2 Corinthians 12:11	I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 10:19 Summary

[In this verse, the Apostle Paul is asking a question to clarify that he doesn't think idols are actually anything, and food sacrificed to them doesn't have any special power. He's setting the stage to warn the Corinthians about the dangers of idol worship, as seen in the next verse, 1 Corinthians 10:20. This is similar to what we see in Isaiah 44:9-20, where the prophet condemns idolatry. Paul wants us to understand that idols are just man-made objects, but the worship of them is actually worship of demons, not God.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Apostle Paul trying to say about idols in this verse?

Paul is clarifying that he is not suggesting that idols have any real power or significance, as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:19, but rather he will explain the reality of what idols represent in the next verse, 1 Corinthians 10:20.

How does this verse relate to the idea of fellowship with other believers?

This verse is part of a larger discussion about fellowship and unity among believers, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:17, where Paul emphasizes that partaking of the one loaf makes us one body.

Is Paul saying that food sacrificed to idols is somehow tainted or evil?

Paul is not saying that the food itself is evil, but rather that the act of sacrificing food to an idol is an act of worship to demons, not to God, as he will explain in 1 Corinthians 10:20-21.

What is the main point Paul is trying to make in this verse?

Paul's main point is to clarify that he is not giving credibility to idols or the food sacrificed to them, but rather setting the stage to warn the Corinthians about the dangers of participating in idolatrous practices, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:17 and Psalm 106:37-38.

Reflection Questions

What are some modern-day 'idols' that I may be unknowingly worshiping, and how can I repent of them?
How can I balance my desire for fellowship with others with the need to avoid participating in activities that honor false gods?
What does this verse teach me about the nature of true worship and the importance of discernment in my daily life?
In what ways can I apply the principle of 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 to my own life, separating myself from unbelievers and their practices?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 10:19

What say I then?.... Or may be objected to, or inferred from, what I say; that an idol is anything, or that which is sacrificed to idols is anything?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:19

What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? What say I then?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:19

I do not by this contradict what I before said, nor now affirm that an idol is any thing, or the sacrifices offered to it any thing. An idol hath nothing in it of a Deity, nor can it either sanctify or pollute any thing that is set before it; the error is in your action, as you communicate with such as are idolaters; it is your own action that polluteth you, not the idol, nor yet the meat set before it.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:19

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? Ver. 19. What say I then] He prevents a mistake. See 1 Corinthians 8:4. Ministers must in their discourses meet with all objections as much as may be.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:19

(19) What say I then?—It might have been argued from the preceding verse that the Apostle admitted the heathen offerings and the idols to which they were offered to be as real as were the offerings and Being to whom the altar was erected by Israel, whereas in 1 Corinthians 8:4 he had asserted the contrary.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:19

Verse 19. What say I then?] A Jewish phrase for, I conclude; and this is his conclusion: that although an idol is nothing, has neither power nor influence, nor are things offered to idols any thing the worse for being thus offered; yet, as the things sacrificed by the Gentiles are sacrificed to demons and not to God, those who partake of them have fellowship with demons: those who profess Christianity cannot have fellowship both with Christ and the devil.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 10:19

19. What say I then? that the idol is any thing] St Paul does not mean to say here, any more than in ch. 1 Corinthians 8:4, that an idol, or the god represented by it, has any real objective existence, or that the sacrifices offered to such idols are the property of any such being as that they are intended to represent. But for all that, it may stand as the representative of that which has a very real existence indeed; he kingdom of evil, and those beings which maintain it.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 10:19

What say I then? - This is in the present tense; τίοὖνφημι ti oun phēmi, what do I say? What is my meaning? What follows from this? Do I mean to say that an idol is anything; that it has a real existence?

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:19

19. What say I then?—What is the import, then, of what I am now saying? Do I attribute any real existence to the imaginary gods and demigods represented by the idol, as Jupiter, Venus, Apollo?

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 10:19

	Sermon	Description
	Day 54, Acts 15 by David Servant	David Servant preaches on the similarities between Acts 15 and Paul's letter to the Galatians, emphasizing the issue of circumcision and the Law of Moses faced by the early church.
	The Food Question by T. Austin-Sparks	The preacher delves into the spiritual significance of idols, primarily derived from the Septuagint, where idols are considered products of fantasy and human hands, lacking any rea
	The Christian View of Life by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of viewing knowledge, liberty, and responsibility in the right way as a Christian. He highlights the need for knowledge to be
	Homily 10 by Clement of Rome	Clement of Rome preaches in Tripolis about the dangers of ignorance and error, highlighting the difference between those who worship idols and those who worship the one true God. H
	Against the Heathen by St. Athanasius	Athanasius preaches against idolatry, highlighting the inconsistency and godlessness of worshipping images and false gods. He questions the rationale behind attributing divine attr
	The Triunity of God by Keith Malcomson	Keith Malcomson addresses the confusion surrounding the nature of God, particularly focusing on the denial of the trinity by various religious groups throughout history. He delves
	Exposition on Psalm 136 by St. Augustine	St. Augustine preaches on the importance of giving thanks to the Lord for His enduring mercy, emphasizing that His mercy is eternal and bestowed upon His saints and faithful ones.