Old Testament Examples

10 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under (A)the cloud, all passed through (B)the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same (C)spiritual food, and all drank the same (D)spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies (E)were scattered in the wilderness.

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as (F)they also lusted. (G)And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, (H)“The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” (I)Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as (J)some of them did, and (K)in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us [a]tempt Christ, as (L)some of them also tempted, and (M)were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as (N)some of them also complained, and (O)were destroyed by (P)the destroyer. 11 Now [b]all these things happened to them as examples, and (Q)they were written for our [c]admonition, (R)upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore (S)let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but (T)God is faithful, (U)who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to [d]bear it.

Flee from Idolatry

14 Therefore, my beloved, (V)flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to (W)wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 (X)The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the [e]communion of the blood of Christ? (Y)The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For (Z)we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

18 Observe (AA)Israel (AB)after the flesh: (AC)Are not those who eat of the sacrifices [f]partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? (AD)That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles (AE)sacrifice (AF)they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 (AG)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (AH)the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the (AI)Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we (AJ)provoke the Lord to jealousy? (AK)Are we stronger than He?

All to the Glory of God(AL)

23 All things are lawful [g]for me, but not all things are (AM)helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things [h]edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one (AN)the other’s well-being.

25 (AO)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for (AP)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, (AQ)eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it (AR)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [i]for (AS)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For (AT)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food (AU)over which I give thanks?

31 (AV)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (AW)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just (AX)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:9 test
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:11 NU omits all
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:11 instruction
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:13 endure
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:16 fellowship or sharing
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:18 fellowshippers or sharers
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NU omits for me
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:23 build up
  9. 1 Corinthians 10:28 NU omits the rest of v. 28.

10 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; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 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. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 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.

Avoid Israel’s Mistakes

10 For (A)I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all (B)under the cloud and all (C)passed through the sea; and all were (D)baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all (E)ate the same spiritual food; and all (F)drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was [a]Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for (G)they were laid low in the wilderness.

Now these things happened as (H)examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as (I)they also craved. Do not be (J)idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “(K)The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to (L)play.” Nor let us act immorally, as (M)some of them [b]did, and (N)twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as (O)some of them [c]did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10 Nor (P)grumble, as some of them [d]did, and (Q)were destroyed by the (R)destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an (S)example, and (T)they were written for our instruction, upon whom (U)the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who (V)thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and (W)God is faithful, who will not allow you to be (X)tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

14 Therefore, my (Y)beloved, flee from (Z)idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say. 16 Is not the (AA)cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the [e](AB)bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Since there is one [f]bread, we (AC)who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one [g]bread. 18 Look at [h]the nation (AD)Israel; are not those who (AE)eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar? 19 What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or (AF)that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they (AG)sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. 21 (AH)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and (AI)the table of demons. 22 Or do we (AJ)provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not (AK)stronger than He, are we?

23 (AL)All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things (AM)edify. 24 Let no one (AN)seek his own good, but that of his [i]neighbor. 25 (AO)Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; 26 (AP)for the earth is the Lord’s, and [j]all it contains. 27 If (AQ)one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, (AR)eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. 28 But (AS)if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake; 29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for (AT)why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, (AU)why am I slandered concerning that for which I (AV)give thanks?

31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or (AW)whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (AX)Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to (AY)the church of God; 33 just as I also (AZ)please all men in all things, (BA)not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, (BB)so that they may be saved.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:4 I.e. the Messiah
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:8 Lit acted immorally
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Lit made trial
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:10 Lit grumbled
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Lit loaf
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:17 Lit loaf
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:17 Lit loaf
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:18 Lit Israel according to the flesh
  9. 1 Corinthians 10:24 Lit the other
  10. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Lit its fullness