1 Corinthians 10:18

Contextual Overview

¹⁵ You are intelligent people. Judge for yourselves the truth of what I say now. ¹⁵ I speak as to sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁵ I speake as vnto them which have discrecion Iudge ye what I saye. ¹⁵ I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say. ¹⁵ I am talking to sensible people. Decide for yourselves what I am saying.1 Corinthians 8:1;">[xr] ¹⁵ I speak as to wise people; you then, judge what I say. ¹⁵ I am speaking to you as to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁵ I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say. ¹⁵ I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. ¹⁵ I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Israel: Romans 4:1, Romans 4:12, Romans 9:3-8, 2 Corinthians 11:18-22, Galatians 6:16, Ephesians 2:11, Ephesians 2:12, Philippians 3:3-5

are: 1 Corinthians 9:13, Leviticus 3:3-5, Leviticus 3:11, Leviticus 7:11-17, 1 Samuel 2:13-16, 1 Samuel 9:12, 1 Samuel 9:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:12 - Aaron Ezekiel 22:9 - they eat Ezekiel 44:3 - to eat Daniel 1:8 - defile Acts 15:29 - ye abstain 1 Corinthians 5:11 - or an idolater Revelation 2:14 - eat Revelation 2:20 - and to seduce

Cross-References

Genesis 10:16
and the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites,

Genesis 10:16
and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,

Genesis 10:16
He was also the father of the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites,

Genesis 10:16
the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites,

Genesis 10:16
And the Jebusite, and the Emorite, and the Girgasite,

Genesis 10:16
the Jebusite, the Amorite, the Girgashite,

Genesis 10:16
and the Jebusite and the Amorite and the Girgashite

Genesis 10:16
and Amorrei, Gergesei,

Genesis 10:16
and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,

Genesis 10:16
the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Behold Israel after the flesh,.... So the apostle calls them, to distinguish them from the Israel of God, the spiritual Israel, whether Jews or Gentiles; who are born again, believe in the true Messiah, worship God in a spiritual manner, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in fleshly things; but these were the descendants of Jacob or Israel by carnal generation, were carnal men, in the flesh, in a state of unregeneracy, and were employed in a carnal worship, in the observance of carnal commandments and ordinances; these the apostle directs to, to see, consider, and take notice of what they were doing; from whence some instruction might be taken, for the further clearing of the present point:

are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? yes, they are. The priests and Levites who waited at the altar, and ministered about holy things there, who brought the sacrifices and laid them upon the altar of the burnt offerings, where the altar consumed and devoured one part by fire, and that which was left they ate among themselves; and so as they had communion with one another in eating, they partook of the altar, of the things, or sacrifices of the altar, and showed themselves to be of the Jewish religion, and professed and declared that they worshipped the God of Israel, and would be thought to have communion with him in so doing; in like manner, such who eat of things sacrificed to idols, declared themselves to be idolaters, to be of the Pagan religion, to be worshippers of idols, and to have fellowship with them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Behold Israel - Look at the Jews. The design here is to illustrate the sentiment which he was establishing, by a reference to the fact that among the Jews those who partook of the same sacrifices were regarded as being one people, and as worshipping one God. So, if they partook of the sacrifices offered to idols, they would be regarded also as being fellow-worshippers of idols with them.

After the flesh - See Romans 4:1. The phrase “after the flesh” is designed to denote the Jews who were not converted to Christianity; the natural descendants of Israel, or Jacob.

Are not they which eat of the sacrifices - A portion of the sacrifices offered to God was eaten by the offerer, and another portion by the priests. Some portions of the animal, as the fat, were burnt; and the remainder, unless it was a holocaust, or whole burnt-offering, was then the property of the priests who had officiated, or of the persons who had brought it; Exodus 29:13, Exodus 29:22; Lev, Leviticus 3:4, Leviticus 3:10, Leviticus 3:15; Leviticus 4:9; Leviticus 7:3-4; Leviticus 8:26. The right shoulder and the breast was the part which was assigned to the priests; the remainder belonged to the offerer.

Partakers of the altar - Worshippers of the same God. They are united in their worship, and are so regarded. And in like manner, if you partake of the sacrifices offered to idols, and join with their worshippers in their temples, you will be justly regarded as “united” with them in their worship, and partaking with them in their abominations.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 18. Behold Israel after the flesh — The Jews not yet converted to Christianity: the latter being Israel after the Spirit. As the design of the apostle was to withdraw his converts at Corinth from all temptations to idolatry, he produces two examples to show the propriety of his endeavours.

1. All who join together in celebrating the Lord's Supper, and are partakers of that one bread, give proof by this that they are Christians, and have fellowship with Christ.

2. All the Israelites who offer sacrifice, and partake of those sacrifices, give proof thereby that they are Jews, and are in fellowship with the object of their worship: so they who join in idol festivals, and eat things which have been offered to idols, give proof that they are in communion with those idolaters, and that they have fellowship with the demons they worship.