1 Corinthians 10:21
New International Version
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.

New Living Translation
You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too.

English Standard Version
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

Berean Standard Bible
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

Berean Literal Bible
You are not able to drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You are not able to partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.

King James Bible
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

New King James Version
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.

New American Standard Bible
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

NASB 1995
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

NASB 1977
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

Legacy Standard Bible
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

Amplified Bible
You cannot drink [both] the Lord’s cup and the cup of demons. You cannot share in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons [thereby becoming partners with them].

Christian Standard Bible
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons.

American Standard Version
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

Contemporary English Version
You cannot drink from the cup of demons and still drink from the Lord's cup. You cannot eat at the table of demons and still eat at the Lord's table.

English Revised Version
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You cannot drink the Lord's cup and the cup of demons. You cannot participate at the table of the Lord and at the table of demons.

Good News Translation
You cannot drink from the Lord's cup and also from the cup of demons; you cannot eat at the Lord's table and also at the table of demons.

International Standard Version
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot dine with the Lord and dine with demons,

Majority Standard Bible
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

NET Bible
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot take part in the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

New Heart English Bible
You cannot both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of demons.

Weymouth New Testament
You cannot drink the Lord's cup and the cup of demons: you cannot be joint-partakers both in the table of the Lord and in the table of demons.

World English Bible
You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You are not able to drink the cup of the LORD and the cup of demons; you are not able to partake of the table of the LORD and of the table of demons;

Berean Literal Bible
You are not able to drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You are not able to partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.

Young's Literal Translation
Ye are not able the cup of the Lord to drink, and the cup of demons; ye are not able of the table of the Lord to partake, and of the table of demons;

Smith's Literal Translation
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and the table of demons.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord, and the chalice of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons. You cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and partakers of the table of demons.

New American Bible
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.

New Revised Standard Version
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You cannot drink the cup of our LORD, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of our LORD and of the table of devils.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
You cannot drink the cup of our Lord and of the cup of demons, and you cannot share in the table of our Lord and in the table of demons.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
You can not drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: you can not be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

Godbey New Testament
You are not able to drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: you are not able to partake of the table of the Lord, and the table of demons.

Haweis New Testament
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of dæmons: ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and the table of dæmons.

Mace New Testament
you should not drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: you should not be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of demons.

Weymouth New Testament
You cannot drink the Lord's cup and the cup of demons: you cannot be joint-partakers both in the table of the Lord and in the table of demons.

Worrell New Testament
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

Worsley New Testament
And I would not have you partakers with demons. Ye cannot drink of the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Flee from Idolatry
20No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too. 22Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?…

Cross References
Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

2 Corinthians 6:14-16
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

1 John 2:15-16
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

Revelation 3:15-16
I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! / So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:11
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

1 John 5:21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Deuteronomy 32:17
They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear.

Psalm 16:4
Sorrows will multiply to those who chase other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood, or speak their names with my lips.

Isaiah 65:11
But you who forsake the LORD, who forget My holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny,

Jeremiah 7:18
The sons gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven; they pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger.

Ezekiel 20:39
And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.


Treasury of Scripture

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

cannot drink.

1 Corinthians 10:16
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

1 Corinthians 8:10
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

Deuteronomy 32:37,38
And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, …

Jump to Previous
Cup Demons Devils Drink Evil Joint-Partakers Lord's Part Partake Partakers Possible Spirits Table Time
Jump to Next
Cup Demons Devils Drink Evil Joint-Partakers Lord's Part Partake Partakers Possible Spirits Table Time
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.














You cannot drink
The phrase "You cannot drink" emphasizes the impossibility and incompatibility of participating in both the sacred and the profane. The Greek word for "cannot" (οὐ δύνασθε, ou dynasthe) implies a strong negation, indicating that it is not merely inadvisable but impossible to do so without spiritual conflict. This sets the stage for understanding the exclusivity of Christian devotion and the call to holiness.

the cup of the Lord
The "cup of the Lord" refers to the communion cup, symbolizing the blood of Christ shed for the remission of sins. In the context of the early church, this cup was central to the Eucharistic celebration, a sacred act of remembrance and unity with Christ. Theologically, it represents the new covenant and the believer's participation in the life and sacrifice of Jesus.

and the cup of demons too
The "cup of demons" contrasts sharply with the cup of the Lord. In the Greco-Roman world, meals and libations were often offered to idols, which Paul equates with demons (1 Corinthians 10:20). The Greek term for "demons" (δαιμόνια, daimonia) reflects spiritual entities opposed to God. This phrase warns against syncretism and the spiritual danger of engaging in pagan practices.

you cannot partake
The repetition of "you cannot" reinforces the mutual exclusivity of the two practices. The Greek word for "partake" (μετέχειν, metechin) suggests sharing or participating in something. This highlights the communal and participatory nature of both the Lord's table and pagan rituals, underscoring the need for discernment and allegiance to Christ alone.

in the table of the Lord
The "table of the Lord" is a metaphor for the Lord's Supper, a sacred meal commemorating Jesus' death and resurrection. Historically, the table signifies fellowship and covenant relationship with God. It is a place of spiritual nourishment and unity among believers, reflecting the early church's practice of gathering for communal worship and remembrance.

and the table of demons
The "table of demons" again draws a stark contrast, referring to meals associated with idol worship. In ancient Corinth, such tables were common in pagan temples, where food offered to idols was consumed. This phrase serves as a warning against idolatry and the spiritual compromise it entails, urging believers to remain faithful to their commitment to Christ.

(21, 22) Ye cannot . . .--Here follows the special reason why the Apostle desires them not to partake of the wine poured forth in libation to devils, or the table on which meat sacrificed to these devils was spread out as food. Such would deprive them of their participation in the cup of the Lord and the table on which the Lord's Supper was placed. Of course the impossibility was moral, not physical. So the Apostle adds the warning question, Do you in fact do so? Do you do that which is morally impossible, and so provoke the jealousy of our jealous God, who will have no divided allegiance? Surely we are not stronger than He? To such a question there can be but one answer. These words, which are the climax of the argument, are naturally suggested by the passage in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 32:15-18), which was evidently in the Apostle's mind all through this argument, containing as it does the striking words, "Rock of his salvation." "They sacrifice unto devils and not to God," and "they provoked Him to jealousy."

Verse 21. - Ye cannot. It is a moral impossibility that you should. The Lord's table. This is the first instance in which this expression is used, and it has originated the name. The table of devils (see Deuteronomy 32:37). In the fine legend of Persephone, she might have been altogether liberated from the nether world if she had eaten nothing since her sojourn there; but unhappily she had eaten something, though it was only the few grains of a pomegranate; and hence she must leave the upper air, and become the Queen of Hades.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
You cannot
δύνασθε (dynasthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

drink
πίνειν (pinein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4095: To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.

[the] cup
ποτήριον (potērion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4221: A drinking cup, the contents of the cup; fig: the portion which God allots.

of [the] Lord
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the] cup
ποτήριον (potērion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4221: A drinking cup, the contents of the cup; fig: the portion which God allots.

of demons [too];
δαιμονίων (daimoniōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1140: An evil-spirit, demon; a heathen deity. Neuter of a derivative of daimon; a d?Monic being; by extension a deity.

you cannot
δύνασθε (dynasthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

partake
μετέχειν (metechein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3348: From meta and echo; to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat.

in [the] table
τραπέζης (trapezēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5132: Probably contracted from tessares and peze; a table or stool, usually for food; also a counter for money.

of [the] Lord
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the] table
τραπέζης (trapezēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5132: Probably contracted from tessares and peze; a table or stool, usually for food; also a counter for money.

of demons {too}.
δαιμονίων (daimoniōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1140: An evil-spirit, demon; a heathen deity. Neuter of a derivative of daimon; a d?Monic being; by extension a deity.


Links
1 Corinthians 10:21 NIV
1 Corinthians 10:21 NLT
1 Corinthians 10:21 ESV
1 Corinthians 10:21 NASB
1 Corinthians 10:21 KJV

1 Corinthians 10:21 BibleApps.com
1 Corinthians 10:21 Biblia Paralela
1 Corinthians 10:21 Chinese Bible
1 Corinthians 10:21 French Bible
1 Corinthians 10:21 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 10:21 You can't both drink the cup (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 10:20
Top of Page
Top of Page