1 Corinthians 10:18
Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
Original Language Analysis
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰσραὴλ
Israel
G2474
Ἰσραὴλ
Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
3 of 14
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
4 of 14
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
σάρκα·
the flesh
G4561
σάρκα·
the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
5 of 14
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐσθίοντες
which eat
G2068
ἐσθίοντες
which eat
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
8 of 14
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυσίας
of the sacrifices
G2378
θυσίας
of the sacrifices
Strong's:
G2378
Word #:
10 of 14
sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Galatians 6:16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.Leviticus 7:6Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy.Leviticus 3:11And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD.Romans 4:1What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?Romans 4:12And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.Romans 1:3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;1 Corinthians 9:13Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Historical Context
The Jerusalem temple (until 70 CE) continued daily sacrifices. Peace offerings allowed worshipers to eat portions of the sacrifice, creating covenant communion between God and His people. Paul's Pharisaic background gave him intimate knowledge of these practices. He uses this shared understanding to demonstrate a universal principle: sacrificial meals establish spiritual fellowship, making Christian participation in pagan meals theologically impossible.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding the spiritual significance of eating in covenant contexts affect modern Christian dining practices?
- What parallels exist between Jewish sacrificial meals and Christian communion in terms of establishing covenant fellowship?
- In what ways might modern Christians participate in spiritual fellowship with false gods without recognizing it?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?—Paul introduces a third example (after Christian communion and pagan temple meals): Jewish sacrificial worship. Israel after the flesh (ton Israēl kata sarka, τὸν Ἰσραὴλ κατὰ σάρκα) distinguishes ethnic Israel from spiritual Israel (the church). Paul appeals to what Corinthians would know about Jewish practice: those who eat of the sacrifices become partakers of the altar (koinōnoi tou thysiastēriou, κοινωνοὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου).
In Levitical worship, certain sacrifices (peace offerings, thanksgiving offerings) were partially consumed by worshipers (Leviticus 7:15-18). Eating consecrated meat established covenant fellowship with God whose altar sanctified the sacrifice. The altar represents God's presence and acceptance of worship. To eat the sacrifice was to participate in worship of the God of Israel.
Paul's logic builds:
The principle is consistent: eating consecrated food is never spiritually neutral—it always establishes covenant fellowship with the deity honored. This makes idol-temple dining far more serious than mere social convention.