1 Corinthians 10:20

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

Cross-reference

1 Corinthians 10:14 directly commands 'flee from idolatry'—the immediate application of Paul's warning about sacrificing to demons.

1 Corinthians 8:4 says an idol is nothing—seeming to contradict that sacrifices are to demons, yet Paul resolves the tension in 10:20.

1 Corinthians 8:10 warns against eating in an idol's temple and causing stumbling—the same context as Paul's command to flee participation with demons.

Leviticus 17:7 forbids sacrificing to demons—Paul directly alludes to this OT command to explain that pagan sacrifices are demonic.

Deuteronomy 32:17 directly states 'they sacrificed to demons' — this is the OT source Paul quotes to identify pagan sacrifices as demonic.

Revelation 9:20 describes people worshiping demons and idols — the same refusal to turn from demonic worship Paul addresses.

Psalm 106:37-39 explicitly says Israel sacrificed sons and daughters to demons — the same demonic reality Paul warns about.

Revelation 21:8 lists idolaters among those condemned, confirming the grave spiritual danger of participating in demonic worship as Paul warns here.

Revelation 13:4 depicts worship of the dragon and beast, vividly illustrating the same demonic worship behind idolatry that Paul denounces here.

1 Timothy 4:1 warns of doctrines of demons, connecting directly to the demonic source behind false worship that Paul identifies here.

Ephesians 5:11 commands no fellowship with darkness, applying the same separation principle Paul gives here regarding communion with demons.

Galatians 4:8 recalls serving false gods before knowing God, reflecting the same reality behind pagan worship that Paul exposes as demonic.

2 Corinthians 6:15 contrasts Christ with Belial, reinforcing the same incompatibility between God and demons that Paul teaches here.

Acts 15:20 Parallel

Acts 15:20 commands abstinence from things polluted by idols—directly paralleling Paul's warning against participating with demons.

Matthew 4:9 Parallel

Matthew 4:9 records Satan demanding worship—illustrating the demonic power behind false worship that Paul identifies in pagan sacrifices.

In Isaiah 65:11, setting tables for false gods parallels the sacrificial meals Paul connects to demons.

In Psalm 106:28, Israel's eating sacrifices to the dead prefigures Paul's warning about participating with demons.

In 2 Chronicles 25:15, Amaziah's offerings to Edomite gods show the idolatry Paul associates with demons.

In 1 Kings 18:26, the Baal prophets' futile sacrifice mirrors the demonic worship Paul warns against.

In 1 Kings 11:8, Solomon's building altars for foreign gods illustrates the idolatry behind Paul's warning.

In Judges 16:23, the Philistines sacrifice to Dagon—a pagan god Paul later identifies as a demon.

Judges 2:13 Parallel

In Judges 2:13, Israel's worship of Baal and Ashtaroth exemplifies the idolatry Paul equates with sacrificing to demons.

Numbers 25:2 Historical context

Numbers 25:2 recounts Israel invited to pagan sacrifices and bowing to gods — an example of the idolatrous fellowship Paul warns against.

Psalm 115:4 Contrast

In Psalm 115:4, the lifeless nature of idols contrasts with the demons Paul says lurk behind them.

Joshua 24:19 declares God's holiness and jealousy, making mixed worship impossible — the same exclusive loyalty Paul implies by rejecting demons.

Acts 19:26 Parallel

Acts 19:26 states that man-made gods are not gods—while Paul adds that behind them are demons, both affirm idols are not divine.

Psalm 31:6 Parallel

In Psalm 31:6, the psalmist rejects worthless idols—echoing Paul's call to avoid participation with demons.

2 Chronicles 11:15 Historical context

2 Chronicles 11:15 shows Jeroboam appointing priests for satyrs (goat-demons) — a historical example of worshiping demons behind idols.

Exodus 34:15 Historical context

Exodus 34:15 warns against participating in pagan sacrifices — the OT backdrop for Paul's command to avoid fellowship with demons.