I Corinthians 10:14-22, The Fellowship of Idolatry (Part 45)

*All false worship is a manifestation of demonism

I Corinthians 10:14-33: 1) The fellowship of idolatry—vv. 14-22: Application and expansion of v. 7; 2) Freedom within limitations—vv. 23-33

The principle Paul builds on—vv. 14-18: 1) Way of escape—v. 13; 2) ‘Wherefore’—(v. 14) brings in “the way”; 3) “Flee”—v. 14; 4) Flee in the NT: 1) Anything that competes with the Lordship of Christ; 2) Flee desires or fads whose intent is sensual (emotionally charged as well); 3) Don’t expect God to pull you out; 4) The test of maturity—v. 15; 5) “Communion” (fellowship—key term that we need grasp to get the rest of the passage—v. 16

Koinonia

• The sharing of something which one possesses with another

• Having joint participation that implies that you approve of what you are participating in—and for which one is held responsible by God

• Working with someone else in any joint effort—spiritual or otherwise (broadest use)

Application of the principle (hinges on koinonia)—vv. 19-22

• What he doesn’t mean—v. 19

• What he does mean—v. 20

Some dangers

• Participation in false worship is satanic involvement whether we know it or not

• Involvement in false worship excludes true worship—v. 21

*Possession of liberty does not mean that it should be exercised