1 Corinthians Chapter 10

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Introduction

IN regard to the design of this chapter commentators have not been agreed. Some have supposed that there is no connexion with the preceding, but that this is a digression. The ancient Greek expositors generally, and some of the moderns, as Grotius, supposed that the connexion was this: Paul had in the previous chapter described himself as mortifying his flesh, and keeping his body under, that he might gain the prize. In this chapter they suppose that his object is to exhort the Corinthians to do the same; and that in order to do this, he admonishes them not to be lulled into security by the idea of the many spiritual gifts which had been conferred upon them. This admonition he enforces by the example of the Jews, who had been highly favoured also, but who had nevertheless been led into idolatry. This is also the view of Doddridge, Calvin, and others. Macknight regards the chapter as an independent discussion of the three questions, which he supposes had been submitted to Paul:

(1.) Whether they might innocently go with their friends into the heathen temples, and partake of the feasts which were there made in honour of the idol.

(2.) Whether they might buy and eat meat sold in the markets which had been sacrificed to idols.

(3.) Whether, when invited to the houses of the heathens, they might partake of the meat sacrificed to idols, and which was set before them as a common meal. I regard this chapter as having a very close connexion with Chapter 8.

In the close of chapter 8, (1Cor 9:13,) Paul had stated, when examining the question whether it was right to eat meat offered in sacrifice to idols, that the grand principle on which he acted, and on which they should act, was that of self-denial. To illustrate this he employs the ninth chapter, by showing how he acted on it in reference to a maintenance; showing that it was this principle that led him to decline a support to which he was really entitled. Having illustrated that, he returns in this chapter to the subject which he was discussing in chapter 8; and the design of this chapter is further to explain and enforce the sentiments advanced there, and to settle some other inquiries pertaining to the same general subject. The first point, therefore, on which he insists is, the danger of relapsing into idolatry -- a danger which would arise, should they be in the habit of frequenting the temples of idols, and of partaking of the meats offered in sacrifice, 1Cor 10:1ff. Against this he had cautioned them in general, in 1Cor 8:7, 1Cor 8:9-12.

This danger he now sets forth by a variety of illustrations. He first shows them that the Jews had been highly favoured, had been solemnly consecrated to Moses and to God, and had been under the Divine protection and guidance, (1Cor 10:1ff;) yet that this had not kept them from the displeasure of God when they sinned, 1Cor 10:5. He shows that, notwithstanding their privileges, they had indulged in inordinate desires, 1Cor 10:6; that they had become idolaters, 1Cor 10:7; that they had been guilty of licentiousness, 1Cor 10:8; that they had tempted their leader and guide, 1Cor 10:9; that they had murmured, 1Cor 10:10; and that, as a consequence of this, many of them had been destroyed. In view of all this, Paul cautions the Corinthians not to be self-confident, or to feel secure; and not to throw themselves in the way of temptation by partaking of the feasts of idolatry, 1Cor 10:12ff. This danger he further illustrates (1Cor 10:15ff) by showing that if they partook of those sacrifices, they in fact became identified with the worshippers of idols. This he proved by showing that in the Christian communion, those who partook of the Lord's Supper were identified with Christians, 1Cor 10:16, 1Cor 10:17; that in the Jewish sacrifices the same thing occurred, and those who partook of them were regarded as Jews, and as worshippers of the same God with them, 1Cor 10:18; and that the same thing must occur, in the nature of the case, by partaking of the sacrifices offered to idols. They were really partaking of that which had been offered to devils; and against any such participation Paul would solemnly admonish them, 1Cor 10:19ff. Going on the supposition, therefore, that there was nothing wrong in itself in partaking of the meat that had been thus killed in sacrifice, yet Paul says (1Cor 10:23) that it was not expedient thus to expose themselves to danger; and that the grand principle should be to seek the comfort and edification of others, 1Cor 10:24. Paul thus strongly and decisively admonishes them not to enter the temples of idols to partake of those feasts; not to unite with idolaters in their celebration; not to endanger their piety by these temptations.

There were, however, two other questions on the subject which it was important to decide, and which had probably been submitted to him in the letter which they had sent for counsel and advice. The first was, whether it was right to purchase and eat the meat which had been sacrificed, and which was exposed indiscriminately with other meat in the market, 1Cor 10:25. To this Paul replies, that as no evil could result from this, as it could not be alleged that they purchased it as meat sacrificed to idols, and as all that the earth contained belonged to the Lord, it was not wrong to purchase and to use it. Yet if even this was pointed out to them as having been sacrificed to idols, he then cautioned them to abstain from it, 1Cor 10:28. The other question was, whether it was right for them to accept the invitation of a heathen, and to partake of meat then that had been offered in sacrifice, 1Cor 10:27. To this a similar answer was returned. The general principle was, that no questions were to be asked in regard to what was set before them; but if the food was expressly pointed out as having been offered in sacrifice, then to partake of it would be regarded as a public recognition of the idol, 1Cor 10:28ff. Paul then concludes the discussion by stating the noble rule that is to guide in all this: that everything is to be done to the glory of God, 1Cor 10:31; and that the great effort of the Christian should be so to act in all things as to honour his religion, as not to lead others into sin, 1Cor 10:32, 1Cor 10:33.

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; edit

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

3: And did all eat the same spiritual meat; edit

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

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

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

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. edit

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

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

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

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. edit

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

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. edit

14: Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. edit

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

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? edit

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

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

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

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. edit

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. edit

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

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

24: Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. edit

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

26: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. edit

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. edit

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: edit

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

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

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

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

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. edit