1 Corinthians 10:1-22

Israel’s Example

English Standard Version Chapter 9

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Warning Against Idolatry

10 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

We ended last week with Paul talking about how he has instituted disciplines in his life so that he might share in the promise of the Gospel with those to whom he is sharing. (lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

He then goes on with some reasoning that is wrapped up in his explanation of not participating in the cultic practice of eating food sacrificed to idols.

Paul uses the idea that the Corinthian church were participants in the promise of Abraham and therefore children of Israel through Christ himself.

He starts out by using the exodus as a sort of type of Sacrament for the Israelites. The passing through the red sea and the leading of the cloud was a type of baptism (being led into a new life by God) and the provision of manna and water throughout the wilderness as a dependency upon God for their continued provision as we depend on the sacrifice of Christ for our continued justification.

In the same way that the Israelites thought that God’s provision meant certain provision at all times the Corinthian Church though that participation in baptism and communion meant that they were secure in their faith and free to do whatever they wanted.

But just as the Israelites were God’s chosen and he had provided for them, he allowed them to be killed in the wilderness for their disobedience and Paul is saying listen they weren’t safe and you aren’t safe.

Applcation of example

Warning against idolatory

English Standard Version Chapter 10

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer

Paul ins’t saying that we should look at the historical narrative of the Exodus as a sort of moral story alone, but that, as I have always said we can ascertain God’s expectation of us and his character by his interaction with the Israelites. What did he judge and why did he judge.

But Paul warns them against certain actions by comparing them to Israelites actions.

Don’t be idolators

Paul is connecting Exodus 32:6 (worshipping the golden calf) with the feast in the temples

Paul’s is not hiding his warning to the Corinthian church. If you participate in idolatry like the Israelites you will fall under judgement.

Don’t indulge in sexual immorality

Introduced in previous proof text of Exodus 32. “Rose up to play” specifically is referring to sexual activity involved when the Israelites were worshipping the golden calf

Sexual immorality was also linked in temple worship regularly

Paul is also addressing previous warnings earlier on in the letter

Because it is so frequently and closely related to eating in the presence of idols, it isn’t a stretch to assume that these were both practice at the feast in the temples at Corinth. However it isn’t explicitly stated.

Do not put Christ to the test

Referring to the complaining of Israel in Numbers 21 against God and Moses.

We can see Paul addressing their complaints against him with his inclusion of Moses in the example.

He doesn’t say that they put the Lord to the test. He is very clear saying that they put Christ to the test.

This shows Paul’s Christology. It was Christ that Israel was testing in the wilderness. Therefore in Paul’s belief Christ=God

Do not grumble

Probably linked to the previous statement and example

The Corinthians were actively complaining against Paul especially in their assertion that they should be allowed to participate in the feasts.

They were grumbling against God’s mandate just as the Israelites did as they complained to Moses and Aaron about following them into the wilderness

English Standard Version Chapter 10

11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Again we see that Paul viewed what happened throughout all of the OT happened for a reason namely as an example/warning to those who came after

The First Epistle to the Corinthians B. Application of the Example—Warning against Idolatry (10:6–13)

In this sentence one captures a sense of Paul’s view that both the historical events and the inscripturated narrative are not simply history or isolated texts in Scripture; rather, behind all these things lies the eternal purposes of the living God, who knows the end from the beginning, and who

We see Paul saying that these things happened as a warning “Therefore” implying that we shouldn’t think that we could stand (confidence in yourself that you are righteous) as the Israelites did and then fall in your arrogance like they did.

In their arrogance they thought that they were not in danger o falling by going to the cultic feasts but Paul is telling them, listen your salvation in Christ doesn’t exempt you from falling. If you continue to think you don’t have to obey God-you will fall. They thought that once they became a Christian they were safe and Paul is saying no you are not.

But Paul then shows his pastoral heart and encourages them by saying listen there isn’t any temptation that you could face that is uncommon and overwhelming for you. God has your back as believers. He is faithful.

We can also see in this that temptation is common. It will always be there but in the same way God will also “always” provide a way out so that you can endure the temptation when it comes.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Paul is giving his strongest prohibition of eating the food in the feasts.

Because the Lord’s Supper is a meal and when we eat we consider it an act of worship because of the context, in the same way when they eat at the feasts they are participating in the context (cultic worship).

When we think of the people of Israel eating their feasts they are all participating in the worship of the feasts.

If those things are true then you are participating in the worship of demons.

Then his harshest statement concludes the paragraph “you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” If we do we are, just like the Israelites, provoking the Lord to jealousy and we will be destroyed.