1 Corinthians 10:18

1 Corinthians 10:18

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

a. NLT: Think about the people of Israel. Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?

b. NIV: Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

c. YLT: See Israel according to the flesh! are not those eating the sacrifices in the fellowship of the altar?

d. Amplified Bible: Consider those [physically] people of Israel. Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners of the altar [united in their worship of the same God]?

e. Worrell Translation: Behold Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

1. “Behold Israel after the flesh…”

a. behold [991 * blepo] [Strong: a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.] [Bullinger: to look, see, have the power of sight applied to mental vision or consideration, to consider, to take to heart, employed to express a more intent, earnest spiritual contemplation.]

b. Israel [2474 * Israel] [Strong:  of Hebrew origin (3478); Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively):--Israel.]

c. after [2596 * kata] [Strong: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]

d. the flesh [4561 * sarx] [Strong: probably from the base of 4563; 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 as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).]

1). Paul is directing his audience to think about Israel.

2. “…are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?”

a. are…they [1526 * eisi] [Strong: 3d person plural present indicative of 1510; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.]

b. not [3780 * ouchi] [Strong: intensive of 3756; not indeed:--nay, not.]

c. which eat [2068 * esthio] [Strong: strengthened for a primary edo (to eat); used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by 5315; to eat (usually literal):--devour, eat, live.]

d. of the sacrifices [2378 * thusia] [Strong: from 2380; sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively):--sacrifice.]

e. partakers [2844 * koinonos] [Strong: from 2839; a sharer, i.e. associate:--companion, X fellowship, partaker, partner.]

f. of the altar [2379 * thusiasterion] [Strong: from a derivative of 2378; a place of sacrifice, i.e. an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative):--altar.]

1). In the beginning of the verse Paul directed his reads to think about Israel. The phrase “partakers of the altar” is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:13.  What is meant by “partakers with the altar”? In many of the offerings made by Israel, there was a portion that was given to the priests, and they were allowed to eat it with their families. There are a few examples given in Scripture.

a). Leviticus 2:1-3 [NIV] When someone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering is to be of fine flour. He is to pour oil on it, put incense on it,

2:2 And take it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the fine flour and oil, together with all the incense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, and offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

2:3 The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings made to the LORD by fire.

b). Leviticus 7:28-34 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

7:29 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offerings unto the LORD shall bring his oblation unto the LORD of the sacrifice of his peace offerings.

7:30 His own hands shall bring the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the fat with the breast, it shall he bring, that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before the LORD.

7:31 And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron and his sons’.

7:32 And the right shoulder shall ye give unto the priest for an heave offering of the sacrifices of your peace offerings.

7:33 He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for his part.

7:34 For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.

2). Paul is trying to illustrate the deeper spiritual principle of what occurs in the spirit when people participate in pagan rituals. You become partners in fellowship with the thing you are worshipping.