1 Corinthians 10
World English Bible
WEB1Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3and all ate the same spiritual food; 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7Don’t be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8Let’s not commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell. 9Let’s not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents. 10Don’t grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. 11Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall. 13No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say. 16The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ? 17Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread. 18Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons. 21You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons. 22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 23“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up. 24Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor’s good. 25Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience, 26for “the earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness.” 27But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience. 28But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, with all its fullness.” 29Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for something I give thanks for? 31Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32Give no occasion for stumbling, whether to Jews, to Greeks, or to the assembly of God; 33even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
1 Corinthians Chapter 10 serves as a powerful reminder to the Corinthian church about the importance of learning from the past and avoiding the pitfalls of idolatry and immorality. The chapter begins by recounting the experiences of the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness, emphasizing that they all shared in the same spiritual food and drink, which was Christ himself. This connection highlights the idea that the blessings of God are available to all, yet many fell into sin and faced consequences. The Apostle Paul warns that these events were written down as examples for us, urging believers to take heed lest they fall into similar temptations (#Israelites, #Paul, #spiritualfood).
The chapter continues with a strong exhortation against idolatry, reminding the Corinthians that they cannot partake in the Lord's Supper and the table of demons simultaneously. Paul emphasizes the seriousness of this duality, stating that we cannot provoke the Lord to jealousy. He encourages believers to flee from idolatry and to seek the glory of God in all things. The chapter concludes with a call to do everything for the glory of God, whether in eating or drinking, and to consider the conscience of others, promoting unity and love within the body of Christ. This chapter serves as a vital teaching on the importance of faithfulness and the need to live a life that honors God in every aspect (#idolatry, #unity, #gloryofGod).
Referenced by
- Exodus 17:6v4Exodus 17:6 describes Moses striking the rock at Horeb to provide water for the Israelites. 1 Corinthians 10:4 interprets this rock as a spiritual symbol of Christ, who provides living water.
- Leviticus 17:7v20Leviticus 17:7 warns against offering sacrifices to goat idols, which is connected to 1 Corinthians 10:20 where Paul warns that sacrifices to idols are sacrifices to demons, not to God.
- Numbers 16:41v10In Numbers 16:41, the congregation grumbles against Moses and Aaron after witnessing God's judgment. 1 Corinthians 10:10 warns against grumbling, using Israel's history as an example of the consequences of such actions.
- Numbers 21:6v9Paul references the incident of the fiery serpents in Numbers 21:6 as a warning against testing Christ, highlighting the consequences of disobedience.
- Job 2:6v13In Job 2:6, God permits Satan to afflict Job but spares his life, showing that God sets limits on the trials His people face. Similarly, 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures believers that God will not allow them to be tempted beyond what they can bear.
- Psalms 24:1v26Psalm 24:1 declares that the earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord, a truth reiterated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:26 to emphasize God's sovereignty over all creation.
- Colossians 3:17v31Colossians 3:17 instructs believers to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, similar to 1 Corinthians 10:31, which encourages doing everything for the glory of God.
- Hebrews 3:12v12Hebrews 3:12 warns believers to take care lest there be an evil, unbelieving heart leading them to fall away. 1 Corinthians 10:12 similarly warns believers to take heed lest they fall, emphasizing vigilance in faith.
Topics in this chapter
- Faithfulness
- Temptation
- Communion
- Idolatry
- Unity
- Endurance
- Love
- Body of Christ
- Glory of God
- Holiness
- Obedience
- Provision
- Warnings in the Bible
- Wilderness
- Apostle
- Christ
- Community
- Covenant
- Deliverance
- Example Book
- Exodus
- Fellowship
- Paul
- Perseverance
- Providence
- Purpose
- Spiritual Rock
- Warnings in the Bible
- Worship
- Altruism
- Apostolic Teaching
- Christian Charity
- Christian Freedom
- Christian Liberty
- Community Service
- Conscience
- Consequences
- Corinth
- Cup of Blessing
- Daily Living
- Discernment
- Disobedience
- Divine Guidance
- Divine Providence
- Egypt
- Eucharist
- Exclusive Worship
- Faith and Creativity
- Freedom
- Genesis
- Genesis 1
- Glory
- Glory to God
- God's Faithfulness
- Humility
- Israel
- Israelite History
- Israelites
- Judgment
- Learning
- Lessons from History
- Manna
- Mount Sinai
- One Bread
- Overcoming
- Purposeful Living
- Religious Art
- Responsibility
- Sacrament
- Separation
- Serpents
- Spiritual Growth
- Spiritual Sustenance
- Strength
- Testing
- Testing God
- Trial
- Trusting God
- Typology
Related chapters
- Hebrews 3Religious ArtWildernessTesting
- James 1TemptationEnduranceDivine Providence
- Romans 14Christian LibertyConscienceFreedom
- Exodus 17TestingGod's Faithfulness
- Numbers 14ExodusWildernessTesting
- Exodus 32Mount SinaiIsraelitesDisobedience
- Exodus 14FreedomExodusIsraelites
- Deuteronomy 6Testing GodExclusive WorshipGenesis 1
- Exodus 16MannaEucharistExodus
- Numbers 21Testing GodTypologyWilderness
- Numbers 25TemptationWarnings in the Bible
- 1 Corinthians 8Christian LibertyConscienceCorinth
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