What does 1 Corinthians 10:19 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul proceeded to clarify what he meant. He was not saying that sacrifices to idols or idols themselves were anything. That Isaiah , sacrifices to idols were not in themselves sinful nor were idols genuine entities. On this point he and the Corinthians agreed. Idols were only pieces of wood or stone, not gods with supernatural powers. Nevertheless these idols represented supernatural powers ( 1 Corinthians 10:20), and so eating cultic meals had genuine significance. [source][source]

[source]

Context Summary

By the end of the world is meant the end of one great era and the beginning of another. The Jewish dispensation was passing, the Christian age coming. What gracious encouragement shines in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13! Our faithful God! The tempter must get permission before assailing us, Luke 22:32. No temptation is unprecedented, and as others have conquered so may we, Hebrews 4:15. The pressure of temptation is always accompanied by a corresponding store of grace, if only our eyes were open to perceive it.

To abstain from idol feasts was the clear duty of all Christians. By partaking of heathen sacrifices which were offered to demons, they became one with the demons and their votaries; just as in the Lord's Supper we show our oneness not only with the Savior but with each other. It was clear, therefore, that the Corinthian Christians could not consistently partake of idol feasts and the Lord's Supper. What an incentive is given here to frequent and reverent participation in the Lord's Supper! It proclaims our union with Him and His people, and it gives us a distaste for all that is alien to its spirit. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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