1 Corinthians Chapter 10

At a Glance

  • 1 Corinthians 10 uses the wilderness journey of Israel as a teachable backdrop to caution believers against presuming security and overlooking temptations.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • This chapter sits within Paul’s corrective admonitions addressing idolatry, food, and worship practices in a culturally diverse Corinth.
  • - Temptation and divine provision: God provides a way to endure trials.
  • - Historical models as moral instruction: Israel’s experiences warn the church.

CHAPTER REFERENCE

Chapter Overview

1 Corinthians 10 uses the wilderness journey of Israel as a teachable backdrop to caution believers against presuming security and overlooking temptations. Paul reminds the Corinthians that their spiritual heritage is not a guarantee of present faithfulness; the examples of Israel’s failures—idolatry, sexual immorality, grumbling—were recorded for our admonition. The central exhortation is to flee from idolatry, to resist temptations, and to avoid the traps of spiritual arrogance that might blind one to moral danger.

The famous passage about the cup of blessing and the bread of the Lord’s Supper anchors a broader argument: Christians are partakers of Christ’s body precisely because they are one in Christ, symbolized by the shared meal. Yet this unity carries a responsibility to live consistently with the gospel. Paul presses the community to examine their motives, avoid pagan practices, and cultivate a disciplined, thankful life that sees temptation as a common human experience with a divine rescue plan. He underscores the inevitability of temptation but assures believers that God provides a way to endure and escape. The overarching message is practical and pastoral: steadfast faith is tested in everyday choices, and the path to fidelity runs through humility, vigilance, and corporate accountability.

Historical & Literary Context

This chapter sits within Paul’s corrective admonitions addressing idolatry, food, and worship practices in a culturally diverse Corinth. It continues the theme of living out Christian freedom in a way that protects the church’s integrity and witness. The wilderness imagery links the Christian life to the Exodus generation as a cautionary parallel. Paul’s use of Scripture, ethical exhortations, and liturgical allusions reflects his typical method of grounding moral guidance in biblical history and apostolic authority. The chapter is part of a larger argument about how believers relate to idols, the temple, and social engagements.

Key Themes

- Temptation and divine provision: God provides a way to endure trials.

- Historical models as moral instruction: Israel’s experiences warn the church.

- The seriousness of idolatry: Avoiding compromise in worship and life.

- Unity and sacred remembrance: The Lord’s Supper as a shared, holy meal.

Modern Application

For contemporary readers, 1 Corinthians 10 invites a sober assessment of everyday temptations—whether consumerism, status-seeking, or ethical compromise—that threaten devotion. It reinforces the discipline of self-control, communal accountability, and the discipline of remembering the gospel through the Lord’s Supper. Churches today can apply the “no idolatry” principle to cultural pressures, consumer choices, and moral compromises encountered in work and entertainment. The chapter also supports faithful participation in worship that honors Christ, rather than idols of convenience, prestige, or popularity.

- Exodus 32 (Israel’s idolatry with the golden calf)

- 1 Corinthians 8 (freedom and conscience)

- Hebrews 3–4 (disobedience in the wilderness)

- Romans 14 (conscience and liberty)

Recommended Personas

- Moses (leader who shepherded Israel through temptation)

- Jesus (as the true fulfillment of the Passover and the Lord’s Supper)

- A pastor who focuses on congregational discipline

- A laymember facing temptations in modern life

Chapter Text

1

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2

And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3

And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7

Neither 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.

8

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13

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.

14

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15

I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16

The 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?

17

For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19

What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20

But 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.

21

Ye 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.

22

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

24

Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

25

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26

For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

27

If 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.

28

But 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:

29

Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

30

For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

32

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

33

Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

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