The Epistles · Chapter 10 of 16

1 Corinthians 10

Paul warns the Corinthians using Israel's wilderness history. Israel enjoyed the cloud, the sea, and spiritual food and drink, yet many fell through idolatry and lust. These things were written as examples. God is faithful to provide escape from temptation. Believers cannot share both the Lord's table and the demons' table, so they should flee idolatry and do all to God's glory.

What happens in 1 Corinthians 10

Paul recalls that Israel's fathers were all under the cloud, passed through the sea, and ate spiritual food and drank from the spiritual Rock, which was Christ. Yet God was displeased with many, and they fell in the wilderness. These events stand as examples, warning believers not to lust, worship idols, commit immorality, tempt Christ, or murmur as Israel did. Whoever thinks he stands should beware lest he fall. But God is faithful and will not allow temptation beyond what one can bear, always making a way of escape.

Paul urges them to flee idolatry, then explains that the cup and bread of the Lord's Supper are communion in Christ's blood and body, uniting many into one. One cannot share both the Lord's table and the table of devils. Food from the market may be eaten freely, but believers must not wound another's conscience. Whether they eat or drink, they should do everything to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10 in context

Some confident Corinthians assumed that their spiritual privileges, baptism and the Lord's Supper, guaranteed their safety no matter how they lived, even as they flirted with idol feasts. Paul answers by retelling Israel's exodus, when a people richly blessed still perished through presumption and idolatry.

Their story, he says, was written down as a warning for believers living at the climax of the ages.

Main themes of 1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10 (KJV)

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. 5But with many 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. 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. 8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 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. 12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 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. 14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 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? 19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 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. 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. 24Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. 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. 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: 29Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? 30For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 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.

Verses to carry from 1 Corinthians 10

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”1 Corinthians 10:4

“There 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.”1 Corinthians 10:13

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”1 Corinthians 10:31

Reflection

Do I treat my spiritual privileges as a guarantee, or lean on the faithful God who makes a way of escape? Whatever tempts me is common and bearable in his strength. Today I can name my usual temptation, look for the exit God provides, and choose the Lord's table over lesser feasts.

A prayer from 1 Corinthians 10