Eating From the Table of the Lord or From the Table of Demons

The Word of the Day is "partake."  In our daily scripture study of 1 Corinthians 10:12-22, St. Paul returns to the issue of eating food offered to idols. This passage draws a clear line between partaking in the "Lord's Supper" (Eucharist) and eating food once sacrificed to idols. He writes emphatically, "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons." You cannot partake of the Lord's table and the table of demons (vs. 21).

In this passage,  Paul shifts the discussion to the central sacrament of Christianity, the "Lord's Supper," the "Eucharist."  In his previous discussion of pagan food, Paul seemed to agree with those claiming the superior knowledge that idols are "nothing" (1 Cor. 8:1). His point was that those who knew that idols were just wood or stone should not use their understanding to tempt their weaker fellow members. They should refrain from eating idol food for the sake of those who have scruples about the association of meat with pagan worship. 

However, in our reading, Paul focuses on the word  "communion," a term that can be translated as "participation in" or "sharing in" (Strong's #2841). The apostle observes that when we commune with others in the Holy Gifts, we "participate" in a sacred reality that transcends and unites us (Strong's #2844). Therefore, St. Paul writes, "For we, though many, are one bread and one body, for we all partake of that one bread," the Bread of Heaven  (vs 17._ When we "partake" or share in the Holy Communion, we become spiritually and physically one with Christ and one another.

THE QUESTION OF EATING THE FOOD ITSELF

With this Eucharistic theology in mind, St. Paul applies his insight into the term "communion" to eating food sacrificed to idols. He states emphatically, "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons."  You cannot partake of the Lord's table and the table of demons" (vs. 21).

What? Is Paul contradicting himself? The apostle had said that idols are nothing. But Paul now qualifies his statement:  idols are nothing, but the worship of false gods is idolatry. And idolatry is a grievous sin against the One, True God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. The Almighty is "jealous" (vs. 22) in the sense that He will not tolerate anything in His creation to receive the thanks,  praise, and devotion due to Him alone.

Let's put the thought this way: Paul writes, "The things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons" (vs. 20). Thus, pagan sacrifice is a fellowship (koinonia) of demons and partaking of idol food is entering the domain of demons. Idols are not real. However, the demons that tempt us to worship false gods are real. Eating meat sacrificed to idols is keeping company with demons who glory most of all in sins against the first commandment.

 In conclusion, our passage began with the thought that the Lord does not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength to withstand it. God always provides a way out to resist the temptation and rebuke the tempter (vs. 13). In this case, the way out is not to expose oneself to the temptation of idolatry in the first place. St. Paul's advice here is to avoid idol meat and, by extension, to shun pagan temples.

FOR REFLECTION

As he addresses eating food offered to idols, Paul gives us some profound insight into the Eucharist. But he also provides a principle against the temptation to participate in spiritually unhealthy and unwholesome pursuits and activities. In the same way, St. Macarius of Optima said, "Avoid making idols of either things or practices" (Orthodox Church Quotes, Word Press).

HOW DO WE MAKE IDOLS TODAY?

How do we make idols in our time? Whenever organizations, behaviors, and enterprises claim the commitment and loyalty that belongs to God alone, they tempt us to idolatry. When anyone or anything demands our ultimate dedication, we can be sure that the demons are hovering around us. For dedication is worship. When we join in a group, ambition, or habit whose spirit carries us away and controls us, we can be assured that the devil has recruited us.

To escape this kind of temptation, Paul counsels that we avoid participation in everything that denies and betrays the oneness of the Almighty. We should prayerfully and faithfully participate in what cleanses and renews us in the true worship of the One God—the Holy Communion in the Body and Blood of Christ, the Eucharist.