Paul and Sacrifice in Corinth

Rethinking Paul's Views on Gentile Cults in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10

by Martin Sanfridson

Book cover: Paul and Sacrifice in Corinth

Extent: 339 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Ancient Near East, Biblical Studies, Jewish Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2.Reihe

Series volume number: 623

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(March 2025)

ISBN: 9783161626715

6.06 x 9.09 inches

Price: $137.00

In stock

Martin Sanfridson examines Paul’s instructions regarding various levels of engagement in gentile cults in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10. His study contributes to a new reading of these two chapters and argues that 1 Corinthians 8 and 10 deal with two distinct, yet connected, issues.


In this study, Martin Sanfridson examines Paul’s instructions regarding various levels of engagement in gentile cults in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10. His study contributes to a new reading of these two chapters. The author argues that 1 Corinthians 8 and 10 deal with two distinct, yet connected, issues. In the former chapter, Paul instructs Christ followers on how they should act when dining in temples dedicated to idols (something he, in principle, allows); in the latter, he instructs them to avoid all participation at the altar where the sacrifice takes place. By recognizing these two different contexts, Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10 become more understandable, coherent, and consistent. Furthermore, the volume argues that Paul’s instructions should be read within the wider context of Second Temple Judaism and early rabbinic Judaism, and not as evidence that Paul left Judaism.

  • By (author) Martin Sanfridson