1 Corinthians 10:21

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1 Corinthians 10:21 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

You 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.

King James Version KJV

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

American Standard Version ASV

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

Bible in Basic English BBE

It is not possible for you, at the same time, to take the cup of the Lord and the cup of evil spirits; you may not take part in the table of the Lord and the table of evil spirits.

Free Bible Version FBV

You can't drink the Lord's cup as well as the cup of demons; you can't eat from the Lord's table as well as the table of demons.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Ye can not drinke the cup of the Lord, and the cup of the deuils. Ye can not be partakers of the Lords table, and of the table of the deuils.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Ye are not able the cup of the Lord to drink, and the cup of demons; ye are not able of the table of the Lord to partake, and of the table of demons;

World English Bible WEB

You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of demons.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord, and the chalice of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils.

Translation for Translators T4T

When you drink the grape juice/wine in [MTY] the cup at the Lord’s Supper, you cannot participate in the blessings that the Lord Jesus brought to us and at the same time drink the wine in the [MTY] cup that people offer to demons! When you eat at the Lord’s table, you cannot participate in the blessings the Lord provided [MTY] when he died for us and at the same time participate in the things that represent demons by eating food that has been sacrificed to idols

Plain English Version PEV

You can’t go 2 ways at the same time. You can’t drink from the cup of our leader, Jesus, and then drink from the cup of bad spirits. You can’t eat the damper from the table of Jesus, and then eat food from the table of bad spirits.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 10:21

BAB

Word Study

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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 10:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ου δυνασθε ποτηριον κυριου πινειν και ποτηριον δαιμονιων ου δυνασθε τραπεζης κυριου μετεχειν και τραπεζης δαιμονιων

ου ou G3756 no Particle-N

δυνασθε dunamai G1410 be able Verb-PNI-2P

ποτηριον potērion G4221 cup Noun-ASN

κυριου kurios G2962 lord: God Noun-GSM

πινειν pinō G4095 to drink Verb-PAN

και kai G2532 and Conj

ποτηριον potērion G4221 cup Noun-ASN

δαιμονιων daimonion G1140 demon Noun-GPN

ου ou G3756 no Particle-N

δυνασθε dunamai G1410 be able Verb-PNI-2P

τραπεζης trapeza G5132 table Noun-GSF

κυριου kurios G2962 lord: God Noun-GSM

μετεχειν metechō G3348 to share Verb-PAN

και kai G2532 and Conj

τραπεζης trapeza G5132 table Noun-GSF

δαιμονιων daimonion G1140 demon Noun-GPN

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 10:21

ου ou G3756 "no" Particle-N

This is a strong 'no', used to deny something completely. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:29 and John 1:21. It is a negative answer to a question.

Definition: οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); __1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. __2. Most frequently negativing a verb or other word, Mat.1:25 10:26, 38, Mrk.3:25 9:37, Jhn.8:29, Act.7:5, Rom.1:16, Php.3:3, al.; in litotes, οὐκ ὀλίγοι (i.e. very many), Act.17:4, al.; οὐκ ἄσημος, Act.21:39; πᾶς . . . οὐ, with verb, (like Heb. כֹּל . . . לֹא), no, none, Mat.24:22, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:37, Eph.5:5, al.; in disjunctive statements, οὐκ . . . ἀλλά, Luk.8:52 Jhn.1:33 Rom.8:2o, al.; with 2 of person(s) fut. (like Heb. לֹא, with impf.), as emphatic prohibition, Mat.4:7, Luk.4:12, Rom.7:7, al. __3. With another negative, __(a) strengthening the negation: Mrk.5:37, Jhn.8:15 12:19, Act.8:39, al.; __(b) making an affirmative: Act.4:20, 1Co.12:15. __4. With other particles: οὐ μή (see: μή); οὐ μηκέτι, Mat.21:19; with μή interrog., Rom.10:18, 1Co.9:4, 5 11:22. __5. Interrogative, expecting an affirmative answer (Lat. nonne): Mat.6:26, Mrk.4:21, Luk.11:40, Jhn.4:35, Rom.9:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1410 NT verses. KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but See also: 1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Peter 1:8.

δυνασθε dunamai G1410 "be able" Verb-PNI-2P

To be able or have power, as in Matthew 6:24 and Mark 2:7, meaning to have the capability or strength to do something.

Definition: δύναμαι, depon., [in LXX chiefly for יָכֹל ;] to be able, have power, whether by personal ability, permission, or opportunity: with inf. (M, Pr., 205; WM, §44, 3) pres., Mat.6:24, Mrk.2:7, Jhn.3:2, 1Co.10:21, al.; with inf. aor., Mat.3:9, Mrk.1:45, Jhn.3:3, 4 Rom.8:39, al.; with accusative, to be able to do something: Mrk.9:22, Luk.12:26; 2Co.13:8; absol., to be able, capable, powerful: 1Co.3:2 10:13. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 199 NT verses. KJV: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power See also: 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 15:4; Hebrews 2:18.

ποτηριον potērion G4221 "cup" Noun-ASN

A cup is a drinking vessel, like the one Jesus used at the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27. It can also mean the contents of the cup or a person's fate. In 1 Corinthians 11:25, it refers to the cup of blessing.

Definition: ποτήριον, -ου, τό dimin. of ποτήρ (πίνω), [in LXX chiefly for כּוֹס:] a wine cup: Mat.23:25-26 26:27, Mrk.7:4 14:23, Luk.11:39 22:17, 20 a (WH, R, mg., cm.), 1Co.11:25, Rev.17:4; πίνειν ἐκ τοῦ π., 1Co.11:28; with genitive of thing(s), Mat.10:42, Mrk.9:41; τ. εὐλογίας, 1Co.10:16; by meton., of the contents of the cup, Luk.22:20 b (WH, R, mg., cm.), 1Co.11:25-26; with genitive of person(s), 1Co.10:21 11:27. Metaphorical, of experience of divine providence; of prosperity (Psa.16:5, al.); of adversity (Psa.11:6, Isa.51:17, al.): of the sufferings of Christ, Mat.20:22-23 26:39 10:38-39 14:36, Luk.22:42, Jhn.18:11; of divine punishment, Rev.14:10 16:19 18:6.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 30 NT verses. KJV: cup See also: 1 Corinthians 10:16; Mark 10:39; Revelation 14:10.

κυριου kurios G2962 "lord: God" Noun-GSM

The Greek word for lord or master, used to address God or a person in authority, showing respect and power. In the New Testament, it appears in Matthew 9:38 and Mark 12:9. It signifies a controller or ruler.

Definition: κύριος, -α, -ον (also -ος, -ον), [in LXX (subst.) chiefly for יהוה, also for בַּעַל ,אָדוֹן, etc. ;] having power (κῦρος) or authority; as subst., ὁ κ., lord, master; __1. in general: with genitive of thing(s), Mat.9:38 20:8, Mrk.12:9 13:35, Luk.19:33; τ. σαββάτου, Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:28, Luk.6:5; with genitive of person(s), δούλου, etc., Mat.10:24, Luk.14:21, Act.16:16, al.; absol, opposite to οἱ δοῦλοι, Eph.6:5, 9 al.; of the Emperor (Deiss., LAE, 161), Act.25:26; θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κ. πολλοί, 1Co.8:5; of a husband, 1Pe.3:6; in voc, as a title of respect to masters, teachers, magistrates, etc., Mat.13:27 16:22 27:63, Mrk.7:28, Luk.5:12, Jhn.4:11, Act.9:5, al. __2. As a divine title (frequently in π.; Deiss., LAE, 353 ff.); in NT, __(a) of God: ὁ κ., Mat.5:33, Mrk.5:19, Luk.1:6, Act.7:33, Heb.8:2, Jas.4:15, al.; anarth. (Bl., §46, 6), Mat.21:9, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:17, Heb.7:21, 1Pe.1:25, al.; κ. τ. οὐρανοῦ καὶ τ. γῆς, Mat.11:25; τ. κυριευόντων, 1Ti.6:15; κ. ὁ θεός, Mat.4:7, 10 al.; id. before παντοκράτωρ, Rev.4:8; κ. σαβαώθ, Rom.9:29; (ὁ) ἄγγελος κυρίου, Mat.1:20 2:13, Luk.1:11, al.; πνεῦμα κυρίου, Luk.4:18, Act.8:39; __(b) of the Christ: Mat.21:3, Mrk.11:3, Luk.1:43 20:44, al.; of Jesus after his resurrection (Dalman, Words, 330), Act.10:36, Rom.14:8, 1Co.7:22, Eph.4:5, al.; ὁ κ. μου, Jhn.20:28; ὁ κ. Ἰησοῦς, Act.1:21, 1Co.11:23, al.; id. before Χριστός, Eph.1:2, al.; ὁ κ. ἡμῶν, 1Ti.1:14, Heb.7:14, al.; id. before Ἰησοῦς, 1Th.3:11, Heb.13:20, al.; Χριστός, Rom.16:18; Ἰ Χ., 1Co.1:2, 1Th.1:3, al.; Ἰ. Χ. (Χ. Ἰ) ὁ κ. (ἡμῶν), Rom.1:4, Col.2:6, Eph.3:11, al.; ὁ κ. καὶ ὁ σωτὴρ, 2Pe.3:2; id. before Ἰ. Χ., ib. 18; anarth., 1Co.7:22, 25 Jas.5:4, al.; κ. κυρίων, Rev.19:16; with prep., ἀπὸ (κατὰ, πρὸς, σὺν, etc.) κ., Col.3:24, al. SYN: see: δεσπότης. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 686 NT verses. KJV: God, Lord, master, Sir See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 1:3.

πινειν pinō G4095 "to drink" Verb-PAN

To drink means to swallow a liquid, like water or wine. In the Bible, drinking is often used as a symbol, like in John 6:53-54, where Jesus says to drink his blood. The word is used in many stories, including Luke 2:19 and Romans 14:21.

Definition: πίνω [in LXX chiefly for שָׁתָה ;] to drink: absol., Luk.2:19, Jhn.4:7, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.6:26, 31 Mrk.14:25, al.; of habitual use, Luk.1:15, Rom.14:21, al.; by meton., τὸ ποτήριον, 1Co.10:21, al.; of the earth absorbing rain (Hdt., al.), Heb.6:7; spiritually, of the blood of Christ, Jhn.6:53-54, 56; before ἐκ (of the vessel), Mat.26:27, al.; id. (of the drink; Bl., § 36, 1), Mat.26:29, Jhn.4:13-14 Rev.14:10, al.; ἀπό, Luk.22:18 (cf. ἀπο-, συν-πίνω; on the form πίεσαι, Luk.17:8, see Bl., § 21, 8, and on the contr. aor. πεῖν, M, Pr., 44 f., Thackeray, Gr., 63 f.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 65 NT verses. KJV: drink See also: 1 Corinthians 9:4; Luke 7:34; Hebrews 6:7.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ποτηριον potērion G4221 "cup" Noun-ASN

Usage: Occurs in 30 NT verses. KJV: cup See also: 1 Corinthians 10:16; Mark 10:39; Revelation 14:10.

δαιμονιων daimonion G1140 "demon" Noun-GPN

A demon is an evil spirit or unclean being, as mentioned in Acts 17:18. It can also refer to a false god or deity, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:17. The term is used to describe supernatural beings that are not of God.

Definition: δαιμόνιον, -ου, τό (neut. of δαιμόνιος, -α, -ον, divine), [in LXX (so also in π; see MM, Exp., x) for שֵׁד, אֱלִיל, (frequently in To) ;] __1. as in cl.; __(a) the Divine power, Deity (Hdt., Plat., al.); __(b) an inferior divinity, deity or demon (as in magical π, Deiss., BS, 281; MM, Exp., x): ξένα δ., Act.17:18. __2. (a) in OT, heathen deities, false gods (e.g. Deu.32:17, Psa.95 (96):5); __(b) in NT, evil spirits, demons: θύουσιν δαιμονίοις, 1Co.10:20; διδασκαλίαι δαιμονίων, 1Ti.4:1; προσκυνεῖν τὰ δ., Rev.9:20; ἄρχων τῶν δ., Mat.9:34; especially (syn. with πνεῦμα ἀκάθαρτον) as operating upon and "possessing" (of. δαιμονίζομαι) men: Mat.11:18, and al.; εἰσέρχεσθαι δ. εἰς. . ., Luk.8:30; δ. ἔχειν, Luk.4:33; δ. ἐκβάλλειν, Mat.7:22 In the phrase πνεῦμα δαιμονίου ἀκαθάρτου, Luk.4:33, the wider cl. usage (1. b) is recognised, ἀκ. being elsewhere in NT, the epithet of πν., and δ. = πν. ἀκ. (see ICC, in l; Cremer, 168) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 53 NT verses. KJV: devil, god See also: 1 Corinthians 10:20; Luke 11:15; James 2:19.

ου ou G3756 "no" Particle-N

This is a strong 'no', used to deny something completely. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:29 and John 1:21. It is a negative answer to a question.

δυνασθε dunamai G1410 "be able" Verb-PNI-2P

To be able or have power, as in Matthew 6:24 and Mark 2:7, meaning to have the capability or strength to do something.

Usage: Occurs in 199 NT verses. KJV: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power See also: 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 15:4; Hebrews 2:18.

τραπεζης trapeza G5132 "table" Noun-GSF

This word means 'table' and can refer to a dining table or a table for money exchange. It is used in Matthew 15:27 and Luke 22:21 to describe a place for eating.

Definition: τράπεζα, -ης, ἡ [in LXX chiefly for שֻׁלְחָן, also for לֶחֶם, etc. ;] __1. a table, dining-table: Mat.15:27, Mrk.7:28, Luk.16:21 19:23 22:21, 30; of the table of shewbread, Heb.9:2. By meton., of food provided (see DB, iv, 670 a): Act.16:34, Rom.11:9" (LXX) 1Co.10:21; διακονεῖν ταῖς τ., Act.6:2 (cf. Page, in l, but see infr.). __2. A money-changer's table, a bank (Dem., Arist., al.): Mat.21:12, Mrk.11:15, Luk.19:23, Jhn.2:15; so also accusative to Dr. Field (Notes, 113), Act.6:2 (but see supr.).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 14 NT verses. KJV: bank, meat, table See also: 1 Corinthians 10:21; Luke 22:21; Hebrews 9:2.

κυριου kurios G2962 "lord: God" Noun-GSM

Usage: Occurs in 686 NT verses. KJV: God, Lord, master, Sir See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 1:3.

μετεχειν metechō G3348 "to share" Verb-PAN

This word means to share or participate in something, like in 1 Corinthians 9:10 and 10:17. It can also mean to belong to or eat something, as seen in Hebrews 2:14 and 5:13.

Definition: μετ-έχω [in LXX: Pro.5:17 (עֵת), Pro.1:18, 1Es.5:40 Est.8:70, Sir.51:28, al. ;] to partake of, share in: ἐπ᾽ ἐλπίδι τοῦ μετέχειν, 1Co.9:10; with genitive of thing(s), 1Co.9:12 10:21 10:30, Heb.2:14; in sacramental sense, ἑκ τ. ἐνὸς ἄρτου μ., 1Co.10:17 (cf. MM, xvi); metaphorically, γάλακτος, Heb.5:13; of belonging to a tribe, Heb.7:13.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 8 NT verses. KJV: be partaker, pertain, take part, use See also: 1 Corinthians 9:10; 1 Corinthians 10:30; Hebrews 2:14.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

τραπεζης trapeza G5132 "table" Noun-GSF

This word means 'table' and can refer to a dining table or a table for money exchange. It is used in Matthew 15:27 and Luke 22:21 to describe a place for eating.

Usage: Occurs in 14 NT verses. KJV: bank, meat, table See also: 1 Corinthians 10:21; Luke 22:21; Hebrews 9:2.

δαιμονιων daimonion G1140 "demon" Noun-GPN

Usage: Occurs in 53 NT verses. KJV: devil, god See also: 1 Corinthians 10:20; Luke 11:15; James 2:19.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 10:21

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Context — Flee from Idolatry

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.

22Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? 23“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Matthew 6:24	No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
2	1 Kings 18:21	Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.
3	2 Corinthians 6:15–17	What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
4	Isaiah 65:11	But you who forsake the LORD, who forget My holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny,
5	1 Corinthians 10:16	Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
6	Deuteronomy 32:37–38	He will say: “Where are their gods, the rock in which they took refuge, which ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up and help you; let them give you shelter!
7	1 Corinthians 8:10	For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols?

1 Corinthians 10:21 Summary

[This verse means that as a Christian, I must choose between following God and participating in activities that honor idols or demons. I cannot do both, as this would be like trying to serve two masters, as Jesus warned in Matthew 6:24. By choosing to follow God, I can participate in the Lord's Supper, which symbolizes my union with Christ, and live a life that is pleasing to Him, as seen in Romans 12:1-2.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons?

Drinking the cup of the Lord refers to participating in the Lord's Supper, symbolizing our union with Christ, while drinking the cup of demons refers to involvement in idolatrous or demonic practices, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:17, which warns against sacrificing to demons.

Can a Christian participate in activities that honor other gods or idols?

According to 1 Corinthians 10:21, the answer is no, as this would be equivalent to partaking in the table of demons, which is contrary to our faith in the one true God, as stated in Exodus 20:3-5.

How can I avoid being a participant with demons, as warned in 1 Corinthians 10:20?

To avoid this, we must be mindful of our actions and associations, ensuring they align with God's will, as revealed in scripture, such as in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, which warns against unequal yoking with unbelievers.

What is the consequence of trying to serve both God and idols?

According to 1 Corinthians 10:22, trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy by serving both God and idols can lead to severe consequences, as seen in Acts 5:1-11, where Ananias and Sapphira faced judgment for their deceit.

Reflection Questions

In what ways might I be unintentionally partaking in the table of demons, and how can I rectify this?
How can I ensure that my actions and associations are pleasing to God, and not leading me into idolatry or demonic influence?
What are some modern-day examples of 'drinking the cup of demons' that I should be aware of, and how can I avoid them?
In what ways can I deepen my understanding of the Lord's Supper and its significance in my life, that I might truly participate in the table of the Lord?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 10:21

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils,.... Not only they ought not, but they could not rightly, truly, and really drink the cup of wine in the Lord's supper, in the true faith of

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:21

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:21

The cup of the Lord: we may either take the phrase as signifying all religious communion under one great act of religion, or as particularly signifying having a communion with Christ in the ordinance of the Lord’ s supper, which is called the cup of the Lord, either because God hath instituted and appointed the drinking of it, or because it is done for the honour, glory, and remembrance of our Lord Christ, to remember his death until he come, as the apostle speaketh, . This the apostle tells them they could not drink of, that is, not rightly, and with a good conscience; or not really; no man that is an idolater, or hath communion with idolaters in their idolatrous acts, can have communion with Christ. The same is meant by the Lord’ s table, and the table of devils. So as I cannot see how either an idolatrous church can be a true church, or an idolater a true Christian, unless we will assert, that a body of people may be a true church, that can have no communion with Christ; or a man may be a true Christian, and yet have no communion with Christ. Idolatry, doubtless, both divides the soul from Christ, as he is the Head of a believer, and as he is the Head of the church. To call any body of idolaters a true church, either morally, or metaphysically, is to say to those: Ammi, You are the Lord’ s people, to whom God hath said, Lo-ammi. Let them be what they will, the name of a church belongeth not to them, if (as the apostle affirmeth) they can have no communion with Christ.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:21

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’ s table, and of the table of devils. Ver. 21. Partakers of the Lord’ s table] Name and thing. The Popish opinion of mass was, that it might not be celebrated but upon an altar, or at least upon a superaltare, which must have its prints and carects, or else the thing was not thought to be lawfully done. Our communion table they call an oyster board. (Acts and Mon.) And the table of devils] Redwald, king of East Saxons, had in the same church one altar for Christian religion, and another for sacrifice to devils. (Camden.)

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:21

(21, 22) Ye cannot . . .—Here follows the special reason why the Apostle desires them not to partake of the wine poured forth in libation to devils, or the table on which meat sacrificed to these devils was spread out as food. Such would deprive them of their participation in the cup of the Lord and the table on which the Lord’s Supper was placed. Of course the impossibility was moral, not physical. So the Apostle adds the warning question, Do you in fact do so? Do you do that which is morally impossible, and so provoke the jealousy of our jealous God, who will have no divided allegiance? Surely we are not stronger than He? To such a question there can be but one answer. These words, which are the climax of the argument, are naturally suggested by the passage in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 32:15-18), which was evidently in the Apostle’s mind all through this argument, containing as it does the striking words, “Rock of his salvation.” “They sacrifice unto devils and not to God,” and “they provoked Him to jealousy.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:21

Verse 21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord] It is in vain that you who frequent these idol festivals profess the religion of Christ, and commemorate his death and passion in the holy eucharist; for you can not have that fellowship with Christ which this ordinance implies, while you are partakers of the table of demons. That the Gentiles, in their sacrifices, fed on the slain beasts, and ate bread and drank wine in honour of their gods, is sufficiently clear from various accounts. See my Discourse on the Holy Eucharist, where many examples are produced. The following from Virgil, AEn. viii, verse 179-273, is proof in point:- Tum lecti juvenes certatim araeque sacerdos Viscera tosta ferunt taurorum, onerantque canistris Dona laboratae Cereris, Bacchumque ministrant. Vescitur AEneas simul et Trojana juventus Perpetui tergo bovis et lustralibus extis.----- Quare agite, O juvenes, tantarum in munere laudum, Cingite fronde comas, et pocula porgite dextris, Communemque vocate Deum, et date vina volentes. The loaves were served in canisters; the wine In bowls; the priests renewed the rites divine: Broiled entrails are their food, and beef's continued chine Ye warlike youths, your heads with garlands crown, Fill high the goblets with a sparkling flood, And with deep draughts invoke our common god.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 10:21

21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils] See note on 1 Corinthians 10:18, and for the nature of heathen sacrifices note on 1 Corinthians 8:1. The cup of devils was the libation with which the meal commenced. It was the cup of devils (1) because it was the cup of worship to beings other than God, which He Whose name was Jealous (Exodus 34:14; cf. Exodus 20:5) and Who ‘will not give His glory to another’ (Isaiah 42:8) had forbidden, and (2) because the worship of many of the gods was a distinct homage to the powers of evil, by reason of its polluting nature. Such worship obviously unfitted those who took part in it for fellowship with Christ. Cf. also 2 Corinthians 6:15-16.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 10:21

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord ... - This does not mean that they had no physical ability to do this, or that it was a natural impossibility; for they certainly had power to do it.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:21

21. Cannot—Ye can do one or the other; but ye cannot do both. It is a cannot arising from the incompatibility of the two things.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 10:21

	Sermon	Description
	Communion in Its Fullest - Part 1 by Derek Prince	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognition, participation, and sharing in our relationship with Christ. He highlights the significance of engaging multipl
	Dare to Be a Daniel by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having faith in God and relying on the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ for salvation. He encourages believers to s
	The Lord's Table by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the profound and wonderful fact of the union between believers and Christ. They highlight that this union is not just a ceremony or ritual, b
	I Want to Be Among Those (Compilation) by Compilations	In this sermon, the speaker urges listeners to run away from certain types of churches and teachings that do not align with the true message of the Gospel. He emphasizes the import
	How to Lay Down Your Life to Love Others - Part 2 by Milton Green	In this sermon, the preacher expresses his disillusionment with the world and its superficiality. He finds joy in seeing people come to Jesus with genuine hearts. The preacher emph
	Joshua 24:15 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of choice in the life of a believer, highlighting that God has given humanity the capacity to choose between serving Him or other influences
	Rev. 3:16. the Charity of the Lord Jesus by Horatius Bonar	Horatius Bonar emphasizes the grave danger of spiritual lukewarmness in his sermon on Revelation 3:16, warning that being neither cold nor hot is an abomination to Christ. He contr