1 Corinthians 10

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Chapters 8-9 of the letter has Paul addressing the eating of meat sacrificed to idols. He told them unless your conscience forbids it, it’s just meat. But always think of your weaker brother and if the liberty you have to eat the meat would make them stumble and sin, don’t eat the meat.
He goes on in Chapter 9 to give the examples of athletes denying their flesh so they might win the prize of the race and how this is how he views his liberty and is willing to give up his “rights” to be able to do some things others were convicted about doing so some that saw might be saved.
1 Corinthians 9:19 “19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.”
1 Corinthians 9:20–23 “20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”
1 Corinthians 10:1–6 KJV
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.
Moreover: Paul is going to build on the points he’s just made.
The church at Corinth made up of a diverse group split between Jews and Gentiles. Paul is gonna preach to them by this letter out of the old testament so he gives them some background they knew from the Septuagint.
Under the cloud
Exodus 13:20–22 “20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”
passed through the sea
Exodus 14:21–22 “21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.”
Exodus 14:27 “27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.”
Drank of the same spiritual drink
Water from the rock at the beginning of the exodus and at the end of the exodus so Yahweh was with them continually
Exodus 17:6 “6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
Numbers 20:11 “11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.”
That Rock was Christ but Yahweh judged most of them in the wilderness. Only Caleb and Joshua from that generation saw the promised land.
What were they judged for? God gave us these instances as examples so the Corinthians and us so we would commit the same sin they did. What sin was that?
1 Corinthians 10:7–13 KJV
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.
idolatry and sexual immoraltiy (which he had written about in Chapter's 5-7)
as it is written, Paul now gives us examples from the Old Testament of their idolatry
Aaron’s golden calf when Moses was on Sinai (verse 7)
Exodus 32:6–8 “6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. 7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”
The episode in Shittim (verse 8)
Numbers 25:1–2 “1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.”
Numbers 25:9 “9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.”
Missing 1000? The church fathers weren’t bothered by it and neither am I. but there is a warning to be careful about biblicism.
I’m in for biblicism that focuses on:
Exclusive Authority: The Bible is seen as the sole source of religious truth and authority, surpassing tradition, reason, or experience.
Infallibility: The Bible is considered to be without error in its original manuscripts, extending to matters of history, science, and morality.
Perspicuity: The meaning of the Bible is believed to be clear and self-evident, accessible to any sincere reader.
Sufficiency: The Bible is seen as containing all that is necessary for salvation and Christian living.
I’m out on biblicism that:
Interpretation that neglects historical and literary context.
Proof texting: Using isolated verses to support a pre-determined position, without considering the broader context of the passage or book.
Rejection of Tradition: Minimizing or dismissing the role of church tradition and historical interpretation in understanding the Bible.
Individualism: Emphasizing individual interpretation over the guidance of the church or community.
Going around Edom from Mount Hor and the people murmuring (Don’t test God) (verse 9)
Numbers 21:4–6 “4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.”
Complaining against Yahweh (verse 10)
Numbers 14, Psa 105, and
Numbers 11:1 “1 And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.”
1 Corinthians 10:11 “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.”
Again, like in verse 6, for examples to the Corinthians and us to learn from the sins of the past.
Especially since the birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus has ushered in the era we’re in now before the Lord comes back and before the consummation of all things
1 Corinthians 10:12 “12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
Paul tells them and us Proverbs 16:18 “18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 “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.”
What Paul’s talking about here is different than in chapter 8. This isn’t just eating meat from the market or your neighbors’ that might have been sacrificed
He specifically calls out their DESIRE for the meat and their willingness to go through pagan ceremonies to get it.
He’s pointing out to them that it may start as wanting a cheap hamburger, but because you knowingly are seeking to eat the meat and attending the ceremony, you open yourself up to other cravings of the flesh like sexual immorality and going to the pagan ceremonies tempts God showing you aren’t satisfied and grateful for the provision of Yahweh in your life now.
Nevertheless! The desires you have now all men have! You aren’t going through any special test and God hasn’t left you when are are struggling with these desires of the flesh that you can’t resist and have to give in to
In fact, you God is faithful and will always give you a way out.
1 Corinthians 10:14–22 KJV
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?
don’t resist, flee!
Sarcastically saying “If you had any sense you would know not to even consider this junk”!
1 Corinthians 10:16–17 “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.”
We don’t “thank the cup” for saving us when we take the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper or communion, we thank the Lord 1 Corinthians 11:25 “25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”
It’s not the bread that saves us, we thank the Lord 1 Corinthians 11:24 “24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
The Lord’s supper reminds us not only of the Lord saving us but also celebrates Him placing us in the family of God, the body of Christ, the church
1 Corinthians 10:19–20 “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.”
the pagan idols are just statues and meat at the ceremonies is just meat, but just like when we have the Lord’s supper we are joining ourselves to the Lord symbolically and spiritually; if you knowingly go to the pagan ceremonies you join yourselves to demons and give place to the devil. Because even if the statues are just statues and the meat is just meat; the supernatural is real and the demons they are worshiping are real!
1 Corinthians 10:21–22 “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?”
Paul tells them and us we can’t be a Christian and knowingly participate. Matthew 4:7 “7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” . In ourselves we aren’t stronger than the demons so don’t wrestle with them!
1 Corinthians 10:23–30 KJV
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?
Reminds them, like before, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Always think of others when it come’s to food and drink. If you don’t know and aren’t told where the meat comes from, don’t worry about it and eat! Because it’s all God’s and you can eat and drink anything with thanksgiving. You get invited to dinner by lost people, go, eat! Cultivating those relationships can lead to them getting saved.
BUT!!! If they tell your we’re sacrificing an animal to “fill in the blank with any other than the Lord God Almighty” and then we’re going to have dinner with the meat…don’t go and eat that. Your testimony of why you can’t may be used by the Lord to bring them to salvation.
1 Corinthians 10:29–30 “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?”
However, if the Lord allows and you have a clear conscience for eating and drinking whatever and you do so with thanksgiving and to gratitude for His good gifts, go ahead. other than looking our for the weaker brother in those situations, their conscience doesn’t bind you!
1 Corinthians 10:31–33 KJV
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.
Whatever you do though make sure it’s to glorify God and always keeping in mind your weaker brothers and sisters and looking for ways to live uprightly the lord might use to save some!

Conclusion

Paul’s warned us with examples of the failures of people before us in scripture: Romans 3:23 “23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
He’s given us the results of the failures: Romans 6:23a “23 For the wages of sin is death;”
He’s told us to check our pride at the door because all the desires we struggle with are not new
But Paul doesn’t say God will give you the strength to resist temptation. That’s the pride Paul warns about if any man or woman says to themselves, “I can get this close to this craving but I won’t get any closer” that’s silly: Proverbs 6:27–28 “27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?”
Instead flee! Ephesians 4:27 “27 Neither give place to the devil.”
God the father made a way to be forgiven: Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:8 “8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 10:9–10 “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:13 “13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
And the Holy Spirit working in the heart of a saved person gives us the ability to: 2 Timothy 2:22 “22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
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