Partakers of the Altar 1 Corinthians 10:18

Paul the apostle asked the church members in Corinth how “the cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?” He further inquired, “the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” In chapter ten and verse eighteen of First Corinthians, Paul referred to “Israel” and those who “eat of the sacrifices” as “partakers of the altar” where we read:

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

The verse begins, “Behold Israel after the flesh: ”. Paul began with the word, “Behold” which means “see, discern, perceive and discover” “Israel” which means “he shall be a prince of God or governed by God” and refers to “the family, nation or descendants of Israel” “after the flesh” or “through out, according to and toward the physical body”. Paul referred to the “physical” people within the nation of “Israel”.

The verse goes on to say, “are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?” Paul continued with the words, “are not they” which means “is it not true that the people” “which eat” or “who consume and devour” “of the sacrifices” which means “from the victims killed and offered” “partakers” which refers to “those who take part and share” “of the altar” which means “from the place for slaying and burning victims used for sacrifices”. Paul asked whether the people who offer “sacrifices” and “offerings” ate or “consumed” some of the “food” that was offered there.

When we consider these words from Paul, we realize he is demonstrating once again how the priests who “offered” “sacrifices” also ate of those “offerings”. Jesus Christ desires for His ministers to participate in the offerings of those to whom they minister, and just as “Israel after the flesh” participated in the “sacrifices...of the altar”, so should the ministers of Jesus Christ “partake” as well.

Next time Paul asks the Corinthians if, “the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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