Idols do not exist, but those who sacrifice to them are sacrificing to demons (demons being angels of Satan, Luke 11:14–22). Of all the arguments that Paul has offered against the eating of sacrificial meat (starting from 1 Corinthians 8:1), this may be the decisive one.
The idea that demons are involved in idol worship is not a new idea. Paul’s language is that of Deuteronomy 32:17 (in the Septuagint version). Here Moses says about the Israelites, They sacrificed to demons that were no gods.
The phrase not to God
can easily be translated as no god.
This would be in line with Moses’ statement in Deuteronomy that the demons are no gods.
Many stories of healings, miracles, and accurate oracles were connected to the pagan temples and their idols. There was therefore good reason to connect pagan worship practices with demonic activity.
Just as the Israelites had table fellowship with God when they ate of his sacrificial meat, so those who eat meat that was sacrificed to idols have table fellowship with demons.
20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.