Warnings from Israel’s Past

10 Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers(A) were all under the cloud,(B) all passed through the sea,(C) and all were baptized(D) into Moses(E) in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food,(F) and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock(G) that followed them, and that rock was Christ.(H) But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.(I)

Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire(J) evil things as they did.[a](K) Don’t become idolaters(L) as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play.[b](M)[c] Let us not commit sexual immorality(N) as some of them did,[d] and in a single day 23,000 people fell dead.(O) Let us not test Christ as some of them did[e] and were destroyed by snakes.(P) 10 Nor should we complain(Q) as some of them did,[f](R) and were killed by the destroyer.[g](S) 11 Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us,(T) on whom the ends of the ages(U) have come.(V) 12 So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.(W) 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful,(X) and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape(Y) so that you are able to bear it.

Warning against Idolatry

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I am speaking as to wise people. Judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup(Z) of blessing(AA) that we give thanks for, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread(AB) that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one(AC) body, for all of us share that one bread. 18 Look at the people of Israel.[h] Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in what is offered on the altar?(AD) 19 What am I saying then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I do say that what they[i] sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to participate with demons! 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?(AE)

Christian Liberty

23 “Everything is permissible,”[j][k] but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible,”[l] but not everything builds up. 24 No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person.(AF)

25 Eat everything that is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake, 26 for the earth is the Lord’s,(AG) and all that is in it.(AH)[m] 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you over and you want to go, eat everything that is set before you, without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This is food offered to an idol,” do not eat it,(AI) out of consideration for the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake.[n] 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person’s. For why is my freedom judged(AJ) by another person’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thanks,(AK) why am I slandered because of something I give thanks for?

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.(AL) 32 Give no offense(AM) to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many,(AN) so that they may be saved.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:6 Lit they desired
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Or to dance
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Ex 32:6
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:8 Lit them committed sexual immorality
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Lit them tested
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:10 Lit them complained
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:10 Or the destroying angel
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:18 Lit Look at Israel according to the flesh
  9. 1 Corinthians 10:20 Other mss read Gentiles
  10. 1 Corinthians 10:23 Other mss add for me
  11. 1 Corinthians 10:23 See note at 1Co 6:12-13.
  12. 1 Corinthians 10:23 Other mss add for me
  13. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Ps 24:1
  14. 1 Corinthians 10:28 Other mss add “For the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.”

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant(A) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud(B) and that they all passed through the sea.(C) They were all baptized into(D) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food(E) and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock(F) that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.(G)

Now these things occurred as examples(H) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters,(I) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[a](J) We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.(K) We should not test Christ,[b](L) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.(M) 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did(N)—and were killed(O) by the destroying angel.(P)

11 These things happened to them as examples(Q) and were written down as warnings for us,(R) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.(S) 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,(T) be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;(U) he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear.(V) But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

14 Therefore, my dear friends,(W) flee from idolatry.(X) 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break(Y) a participation in the body of Christ?(Z) 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,(AA) for we all share the one loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices(AB) participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(AC) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(AD) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.(AE) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(AF) Are we stronger than he?(AG)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(AH) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(AI)

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(AJ) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[f](AK)

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(AL) without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.(AM) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(AN) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(AO)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(AP) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(AQ) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(AR) 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(AS) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(AT) so that they may be saved.(AU)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1