Think about the people of Israel. Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?
Parallel translations
- WEB Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?
- KJV Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
- BSB Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?
- NKJV Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
- NASB Look at the people of Israel; are those who eat the sacrifices not partners in the altar?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Israel's sacrificial meals involved real participation in the altar and its worship. Eating at an altar joins one to what that altar represents.
Overview
Pointing to 'Israel according to the flesh,' Paul observes that those who ate the sacrifices were partners in the altar's worship. He uses this as an analogy: covenant meals create fellowship with the deity worshiped. The principle prepares his argument that eating at idol-feasts is no neutral act but a real participation in what stands behind the idol.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Phil 3:3–5For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
- Lev 3:11The priest shall burn it on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire to Yahweh.
- Gal 6:16As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel.
- Lev 7:6Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy.
- Eph 2:11–12Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision”, (in the flesh, made by hands);
- Rom 1:3concerning his Son, who was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh,
- 1 Cor 9:13Don’t you know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar?
- 2 Cor 11:18–22Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast.
- Lev 3:3–5He shall offer of the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to Yahweh; the fat that covers the innards, and all the fat that is on the innards,
- Rom 4:12He is the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.
- Rom 4:1What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh?
- Rom 9:3–8For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh,
- 1 Sam 9:12–13They answered them, and said, “He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he has come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place.
- Lev 7:11–17“‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to Yahweh.
- 1 Sam 2:13–16The custom of the priests with the people was that when anyone offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant came while the meat was boiling, with a fork of three teeth in his hand;
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 10:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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