The common subject in verses 14 through 22 is partake. Verses 14 through 17 establish that the Lord’s Supper illustrates that as one body, the church partakes in fellowship with Christ Jesus. Verse 18 establishes that the temple sacrificial altar illustrates that, as one nation, Israel partook in fellowship with the Lord. Similarly, verse 20 establishes that idolatry is participating with demons (Deuteronomy 32:17, 37-39). Sitting at one’s table means having fellowship with them. (Exodus 20:24, 24:5, 29:28; Malachi 1:7)
A sacrifice offered to an idol is nothing. An idol is nothing (19, 8:4; Isaiah 44:12-20, 45:20-25, 46:1-11; Psalm 106:28, 37; 1 John 1:3). However, since idolatry involves demons, how can a person who confesses in the name of Jesus and partakes of communion bread and wine also partake in things that involve demons? We cannot (21).
At this point, one might think, “What does this have to do with me in modern day? Temples? Idols? Demons? Sacrifices?” Since Christ is in the believer’s body, since the Holy Spirit moves within a Christian’s spirit, then that person is the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16), and offers their body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is our spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1) We are known by what we partake of, what we have fellowship with, and where we spend our time. Do I offer myself to Jesus? Or perhaps something sinister?
