Thanksgiving at the Holy Communion

Introduction
This passage concludes Paul's words on the issue of participating in feasts at the local pagan temple, 8:1-10:22. Having examined the pros and cons he now gives a clear prohibition. As with the Lord's Supper, spiritual realities are associated with the meal, so for a believer, participation in one negates participation in the other. Although the idol is not real, and knowledge may preclude the believer from full association with the pagan festival, there are demonic realities associated with idol worship.

The passage
v14. Having reminded the Corinthians how Israel was overthrown in the desert after their idolatry (v1-13), Paul now gives them a clear prohibition, "flee from idolatry".
v15. Having given an absolute prohibition, Paul now asks them to consider how sensible it is. As sensible people they should understand his concerns.
v16. To support his argument, Paul reminds his readers that their participation in sacred feasts, whether the Lord's Supper or idolatrous festivals, involves a real identification with the deity (in pagan feasts actually demons), cf. v18. Therefore, the two are mutually exclusive for a believer. When believers share in the bread and wine they "fellowship" with Jesus, for he has promised to be present when two or three gather in his name. In Jewish festivals at the temple the people understood that they ate "in the presence of Yahweh". There is no idea that either the Jew, pagan or Christian actually ate the deity. In identifying with Christ we share in his redemptive sacrifice on our behalf. "The cup of blessing" serves as a faith-remembering of Christ's offering of himself, for which we give thanks. "The bread that we break" also recalls the language of the Passover meal.
v17. Paul goes on to interpret the broken bread as the Christian community - the body of Christ. This is a unique interpretation. The community together shares in Christ's redemptive sacrifice. Such community solidarity with Christ forbids other religious (in this case demonic) associations.
v18. After a temple sacrifice the people of Israel shared in the sacrificial food, Deut.14:22-27. This action identified the people with Yahweh who was present. It was a means of worshipping God. A similar meal before a pagan deity cannot be anything else other than idolatry.
v19. Having argued that there is religious significance in sacred meals, Paul does not want to imply that the idol does actually represent a real deity.
v20. During Israel's wilderness wanderings they foolishly worshipped the Golden Calf. They thought they were worshipping God, but it wasn't God they worshipped, rather a "mute" idol infused with demonic power, cf. Deut.32:17.
v21. A believer can't "share/fellowship" (NIV "have a part") in the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.
v22. Paul concludes with a rhetorical question. "Are you going to do what I ask, or will you continue eating at both meals, and thus arouse the Lord's jealousy, as Israel did in the desert?", Gordon Fee. Those who think they are stronger than God, demanding their freedom to share in idolatrous meals, will face the folly of their actions.

Fleeing the darkness
I had been invited to attend the opening of the new Hindu temple. When I arrived the priest was up in a cherry picker pouring out libations over the temple idols. I remember him looking at me, or at least my clerical garb, and feeling very apprehensive. My public duties had taken me to the edge of compromise and I was left to rely on Jesus' words "my prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them for the evil one."
It is never easy to draw lines in our association with the world. It is obviously wrong to attend a spiritualist meeting, but is it wrong to have a meal at the local Chinese restaurant? Spiritualists claim to contact those on the "other side", but we know from the scriptures that the dead await the day of resurrection. Those they contact on the "other side" are probably demonic powers. So, Paul's prohibition is easily applied when it comes to New Age religious activities. Still, does that mean we shouldn't browse through a New Age shop? And what of the Chinese restaurant, given that most will have a shrine in the shop somewhere?
It's not wise to extend Paul's warning to every contact we have with the world. As Paul says later, when with a pagan friend "eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience." Identifying with the powers of darkness because of social, family, or business expectations, that's the danger.

Discussion
1. What do we learn about the Lord's Supper from this passage?
2. "It is wrong to buy something in a New Age shop". Discuss this statement with a view to defining Paul's prohibition in this passage.

Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons

1 Corinthians