1 Corinthians 10:17
ESV
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
NIV
Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.
NASB
Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.
CSB
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, since all of us share the one bread.
NLT
And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.
KJV
For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
NKJV
For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
What does 1 Corinthians 10:17 mean?
Paul is describing the practice of Christian communion to build his case for why believers should not knowingly eat food that has been offered to pagan idols. He has written that by consuming the bread and wine, we are together participating in the body and blood of Jesus.Now Paul shows how that creates a unity among believers. He points to the "one bread." The practice of the day would have been to start with a single loaf of bread and break off pieces to distribute to each person.
Paul is making the same connection in reverse. Christians are many different people who come together to form one body, which is Christ's body (1 Corinthians 12:27). This is a theme of Scripture which challenges mankind's natural tendency towards division (Galatians 3:28). Modern people take the equality of all people as a given, but prior to Christianity, it was a radical idea.
The loaf of bread, too, represents Christ's body, broken into pieces for us. What a beautiful double-picture of Christ's broken body and the whole body of Christ.
First Corinthians 10:14–22 describes why it is essential to run away from idol worship of any kind. Participating in communion by taking in the representations of Christ's body and blood brings us into participation with Him. To be involved with idolatry causes people to participate with demons. Nobody can remain in participation both with Christ and demons. Paul uses questions to warn the Corinthians about stirring up the Lord's jealousy in this way. He is stronger than us and willing to act when betrayed.
Idol worship is an extremely serious sin. Paul reminds the Christians in idol-saturated Corinth of that by referring to the history of the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness. Though blessed by God, they worshiped false idols. God killed many of them for it. Paul commands his readers to flee from idol worship. To participate with idol worship in any way is to participate with demons. God always provides some way to avoid sin. So, they must avoid giving anyone the idea that they approve of idol worship, even by knowingly eating food offered to idols. Their first question must always be, ''Will this glorify God?''
