1 Corinthians
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1 Corinthians 10
1 Corinthians 10
1For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3and did all eat the same spiritual food; 4and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.
1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Commentary · verses 1-4
5Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Commentary · verse 5
This event Paul referenced was recorded in Numbers 14. These first five verses showed that during the Dispensation of the Law, God had provided everything necessary for Salvation, and people chose not to accept it.
6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Commentary · verse 6
This verse and the next five were a reminder to people of our dispensation that God had also provided everything necessary for Salvation and we should learn from the mistakes others had made, otherwise we will end up like them. This was learning by understanding. Learning by mistakes you make yourself is learning by experience.
7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Commentary · verse 7
Paul referenced Exodus 32:6.
8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Commentary · verse 8
Paul mentioned an event that was recorded in Numbers 25.
9Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents.
9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Commentary · verse 9
Paul mentioned an event that was recorded in Numbers 21.
10Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer.
10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
Commentary · verse 10
Paul mentioned an event that was recorded in Numbers 11.
11Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.
11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Commentary · verse 11
Paul mentioned these examples to warn us.
12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Commentary · verse 12
Pride comes before the fall. Pride is the cause of falling. This verse was similar to the three verses that immediately preceded Paul's answer to this second doctrinal question: 1 Corinthians 8:1-3.
13There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.
13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Commentary · verse 13
Temptation is common to all men. However, God will not suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able. God will always make a way to escape (grace) that we can bear it. God's influence on your heart will give you an escape from temptation, it is your choice to allow it to be reflected in your life.
14Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
Commentary · verses 14-15
Doctrine: Flee from idolatry. Paul said he was speaking as if the Corinthians were wise. He was giving them an opportunity to hear "meat" instead of "milk."
16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?
17seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread.
18Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?
16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
Commentary · verses 16-18
Paul showed that taking communion (which involved eating and drinking) caused a bond (covenant) to be formed between the believer and Christ. Likewise, eating with those who eat to something other than God have communion with other gods.
19What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
Commentary · verse 19
Again, Paul was getting across the fact that idols are void of truth. Idols are unprofitable. The WHAT (idols and food) were not the issue.
20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons.
21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.
20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
Commentary · verses 20-21
Paul used the principle of non-contradiction to show that you cannot serve the Lord and demons at the same time. What is sacrificed to demons is not sacrificed to God.
22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify.
22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Commentary · verses 22-23
Paul repeated this critical sentence: All things are lawful but all things do not edify and all things are not profitable. Paul was focused on being profitable (what to do), not on laws (what not to do). Paul was focused on the HOW and WHY, not the WHAT.
24Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor’s good.
24Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
Commentary · verse 24
Paul referenced love: giving to others without expecting anything in return from the person to whom we give. This is the guiding principle. Next, Paul specifically applied it.
25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake; 26for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
27If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast, and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake.
25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
27If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
Commentary · verses 25-27
Ask no question for conscience sake!?!? This was right in line with the definition of sin ("that which is done apart from faith"). If you do not know that the meat set before you was sacrificed to idols then it is not sin since you are not acting apart from faith (understanding and experience), even if you suspect it was sacrificed to idols. Paul just stated you can eat meat sacrificed to idols and it would not be sin if you did not know it was sacrificed to idols...and if you suspect it is, do not ask so you can eat it. Anyone who says "sin is sin" to mean that the action (WHAT) is sinful in and of itself, and is sin for everyone who does it, is actually contradicting God's Word.
28But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience’ sake:
28But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:
Commentary · verse 28
If you find out that it was sacrificed to idols, do not eat the meat "for conscience sake"…
29conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other’s; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?
29Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?
Commentary · verse 29
…but, not your conscience but the conscience of others (who have a weak conscience). Paul explained a guideline for evangelism. If we want to reach others for Christ, we can participate in their rituals as long as we do not know they are sinful. However, when we find out that they are sinful, we need to not participate in them so that we do not mislead the people we are evangelizing.
30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
30For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
Commentary · verse 30
Paul then asked why his liberty (the subject of Chapter 9) was judged by another person's conscience and why was he spoken of negatively when he did something well.
31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Commentary · verse 31
Doctrine: Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God...which is loving God: giving God a value.
32Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God: 33even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.
32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Commentary · verses 32-33
Paul's answer was that he loved everyone in order to evangelize to them, which meant his HOW and WHY needed to be seeking the benefit of others so that they get saved.
Commentary · verse 33
Theme of Chapter 10: Paul concluded his answer to the question: "Can we eat meat sacrificed to idols?" The answer: Whatever we do, we ought to do it for the glory of God so that others benefit and become saved.
Doctrines on this passage
Paul began this portion of his answer showing that people in the Dispensation of the Law were baptized and ate and drank spiritual food and spiritual drink. The "spiritual food" that Paul referenced was manna. The rock that gave water in the wilderness was Christ.