1 Corinthians 10:18
New International Version
Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

New Living Translation
Think about the people of Israel. Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?

English Standard Version
Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?

Berean Standard Bible
Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?

Berean Literal Bible
Consider Israel according to flesh: Are not those eating the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?

King James Bible
Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

New King James Version
Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

New American Standard Bible
Look at the people of Israel; are those who eat the sacrifices not partners in the altar?

NASB 1995
Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar?

NASB 1977
Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar?

Legacy Standard Bible
Look at the nation Israel. Are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar?

Amplified Bible
Consider the people of Israel; are those who eat the sacrifices not partners of the altar [united in their worship of the same God]? [Indeed they are.]

Christian Standard Bible
Consider the people of Israel. Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Look at the people of Israel. Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in what is offered on the altar?

American Standard Version
Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?

Contemporary English Version
Aren't the people of Israel sharing in the worship when they gather around the altar and eat the sacrifices offered there?

English Revised Version
Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they which eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Look at the people of Israel from a human point of view. Don't those who eat the sacrifices share what is on the altar?

Good News Translation
Consider the people of Israel; those who eat what is offered in sacrifice share in the altar's service to God.

International Standard Version
Look at the Israelis from a human point of view. Those who eat the sacrifices share in what is on the altar, don't they?

Majority Standard Bible
Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?

NET Bible
Look at the people of Israel. Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar?

New Heart English Bible
Consider Israel according to the flesh. Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they who eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar?

Weymouth New Testament
Look at the Israelites--the nation and their ritual. Are not those who eat the sacrifices joint-partakers in the altar?

World English Bible
Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
See Israel according to the flesh! Are those not eating the sacrifices in the fellowship of the altar?

Berean Literal Bible
Consider Israel according to flesh: Are not those eating the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?

Young's Literal Translation
See Israel according to the flesh! are not those eating the sacrifices in the fellowship of the altar?

Smith's Literal Translation
See ye Israel according to the flesh: are not they eating the sacrifices mutual participators of the altar?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold Israel according to the flesh: are not they, that eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar ?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Consider Israel, according to the flesh. Are not those who eat from the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

New American Bible
Look at Israel according to the flesh; are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?

New Revised Standard Version
Consider the people of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold Israel whose observance is after the flesh: do not those who eat the sacrifices become partakers of the altar?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Behold Israel in the flesh. Have not those who eat sacrifices been partakers of the altar?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Look at Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat the sacrifices partakers with the altar?

Godbey New Testament
See Israel after the flesh: are not all eating the sacrifices communicants of the altar?

Haweis New Testament
Behold Israel after the flesh. Are not they who eat of the sacrifices partakers with the altar?

Mace New Testament
consider the custom of the Jews by descent, are not they which eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar? what say I then?

Weymouth New Testament
Look at the Israelites--the nation and their ritual. Are not those who eat the sacrifices joint-partakers in the altar?

Worrell New Testament
Behold Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

Worsley New Testament
Consider Israel according to the flesh, Are not they, that eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar?
Audio Bible



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?…

Cross References
Leviticus 7:6
Every male among the priests may eat of it. It must be eaten in a holy place; it is most holy.

Deuteronomy 14:23
And you are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.

Deuteronomy 12:17-18
Within your gates you must not eat the tithe of your grain or new wine or oil, the firstborn of your herds or flocks, any of the offerings that you have vowed to give, or your freewill offerings or special gifts. / Instead, you must eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates. Rejoice before the LORD your God in all you do,

Malachi 1:7
By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible.

Malachi 1:12
“But you profane it when you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is contemptible.’

Hebrews 13:10
We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

Romans 9:4
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.

Romans 11:1
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

Romans 11:17-24
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ...

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:46
With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,

Acts 10:41
not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.

Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.

Matthew 26:26-28
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” / Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. / This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark 14:22-24
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it; this is My body.” / Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. / He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.


Treasury of Scripture

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

Israel.

Romans 4:1,12
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? …

Romans 9:3-8
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: …

2 Corinthians 11:18-22
Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also…

are.

1 Corinthians 9:13
Do 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?

Leviticus 3:3-5,11
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards, …

Leviticus 7:11-17
And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD…

Jump to Previous
Altar Communion Consider Eat Eating Fellowship Flesh Food Israel Israelites Joint-Partakers Nation Offerings Partakers Participate Partners Ritual Sacrifices Sharers
Jump to Next
Altar Communion Consider Eat Eating Fellowship Flesh Food Israel Israelites Joint-Partakers Nation Offerings Partakers Participate Partners Ritual Sacrifices Sharers
1 Corinthians 10
1. The sacraments of the Jews are types of ours;
7. and their punishments,
11. examples for us.
13. We must flee from idolatry.
21. We must not make the Lord's table the table of demons;
24. and in all things we must have regard for our brothers.














Consider the people of Israel
This phrase invites the reader to reflect on the historical and spiritual journey of the Israelites. The Greek word for "consider" (βλέπετε) implies a deep, attentive observation. The Israelites, as God's chosen people, serve as a profound example of faith, obedience, and at times, disobedience. Their experiences are recorded in the Old Testament, providing lessons on the consequences of idolatry and the blessings of covenant faithfulness. Historically, the Israelites' relationship with God was marked by a series of covenants, starting with Abraham and culminating in the Mosaic Covenant, which included the sacrificial system.

Are not those who eat the sacrifices
This phrase refers to the practice of consuming portions of the sacrifices offered at the altar. In the Levitical system, certain sacrifices allowed for the priests and sometimes the offerers to partake in the meal, symbolizing communion with God. The Greek word for "eat" (ἐσθίω) is used here to denote participation and fellowship. Eating the sacrifices was not merely a physical act but a spiritual one, signifying unity with the divine purpose and community. This practice underscores the importance of shared worship and the communal aspect of faith.

Fellow partakers in the altar
The term "fellow partakers" (κοινωνοὶ) is significant, as it denotes partnership and shared participation. The altar, central to Israelite worship, was where sacrifices were made to atone for sin and express devotion to God. Being a partaker in the altar meant being in fellowship with God and His covenant community. The altar was not just a physical structure but a symbol of God's presence and the place where heaven and earth met. This phrase highlights the spiritual reality that those who participate in the sacrificial system are united in purpose and worship, sharing in the blessings and responsibilities of the covenant relationship with God.

(18) Behold Israel after the flesh--i.e., Israel in its merely human aspect, not the spiritual Israel (Romans 2:28; Galatians 4:29; Galatians 6:16). The sacrifice was divided--a portion offered upon the altar and a portion taken and eaten (Deuteronomy 12:18; Deuteronomy 16:11): so whoever ate a portion of the same sacrifice was a partaker in common with (not "of," as in the English translation) the altar. This is another argument against partaking of the heathen feasts. You cannot do so without connection with the heathen altar. The example of Israel proves that.

Verse 18. - Partakers of the altar. It is better to render it "Have they not communion with the altar?" for the word is different from that in the last verse. The meaning is that, by sharing in the sacrifices, the Jews stood in direct association with the altar, the victims, and all that they symbolized (Deuteronomy 12:27). And St. Paul implied that the same thing is true of those who sympathetically partook of idol offerings.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Consider
βλέπετε (blepete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

the people
σάρκα (sarka)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.

of Israel:
Ἰσραὴλ (Israēl)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2474: Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.

Are
εἰσίν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

not
οὐχ (ouch)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

those who
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

eat
ἐσθίοντες (esthiontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2068: Strengthened for a primary edo; used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by phago; to eat.

the
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sacrifices
θυσίας (thysias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2378: Abstr. and concr: sacrifice; a sacrifice, offering. From thuo; sacrifice.

fellow partakers
κοινωνοὶ (koinōnoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2844: A sharer, partner, companion. From koinos; a sharer, i.e. Associate.

in the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

altar?
θυσιαστηρίου (thysiastēriou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2379: An altar (for sacrifice). From a derivative of thusia; a place of sacrifice, i.e. An altar.


Links
1 Corinthians 10:18 NIV
1 Corinthians 10:18 NLT
1 Corinthians 10:18 ESV
1 Corinthians 10:18 NASB
1 Corinthians 10:18 KJV

1 Corinthians 10:18 BibleApps.com
1 Corinthians 10:18 Biblia Paralela
1 Corinthians 10:18 Chinese Bible
1 Corinthians 10:18 French Bible
1 Corinthians 10:18 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 10:18 Consider Israel according to the flesh (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 10:17
Top of Page
Top of Page