If idols are nothing, why does God condemn idolatry?

PROBLEM: Paul affirms here that “an idol is nothing in the world.” Yet the Bible repeatedly condemns idolatry (cf. Exodus 20:4), and even Paul said there are demons behind idols (1 Corinthians 10:19). Is he then claiming that demons are nothing?

SOLUTION: Paul does not deny the existence of idols, but simply their ability to affect mature believers who eat meat that has been offered to them (cf. 8:1). It is not the reality of idols, but their divinity which Paul denies. The devil does deceive idolaters (1 Corinthians 10:19), but he cannot destroy the meat which God has created and pronounced good (Genesis 1:31; 1 Timothy 4:4), even if someone else has offered it to an idol.

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