1 Corinthians 10
10
Learning from Israel’s Failures
1My dear fellow believers, you need to understand that all of our Jewish ancestors who walked through a wilderness long ago were under the glory cloud # 10:1 The cloud of glory is a picture of the Holy Spirit. and passed through the waters of the sea on both sides. 2They were all baptized # 10:2 Or “baptized themselves.” There are at least eight distinct baptisms mentioned in the New Testament: (1) the baptism of John (John 1:31–33), (2) Christ’s baptism (John 3:22), (3) a baptism of suffering (Luke 12:50), (4) a baptism into the cloud of glory (1 Cor. 10:2), (5) a baptism into the sea (a picture of redemption—1 Cor. 10:2), (6) believer’s baptism in water (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38–41), (7) baptism into Christ and into his body (1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27), and (8) baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11–14; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 19:2–3). See also Heb. 6:2. into the cloud of glory, into the fellowship of Moses, and into the sea. 3They all ate the same heavenly manna # 10:3 Or “spiritual food.” See Ex. 16; Ps. 78:24–25; John 6:31–48. 4and drank water from the same spiritual rock # 10:4 See Ex. 17:6; Num. 20:7–21; Ps. 78:15. that traveled with them—and that Rock # 10:4 Christ is the anointed Rock of truth and the Rock of shelter. The people drank of his living water. The miracle of the Rock of Christ provided them with water wherever they journeyed. He is a fountain that never runs dry, for he will never leave us alone in a wilderness. was Christ himself. 5Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their dead bodies were scattered around the wilderness. # 10:5 The Aramaic can be translated “They failed [the test] in the wilderness.”
6Now, all these things serve as types and pictures for us—lessons that teach us not to fail in the same way by callously craving worthless things 7and practicing idolatry, as some of them did. For it is written:
The people settled in to their unrestrained revelry, with feasting and drinking, then they rose up and became wildly out of control! # 10:7 Although most translations have “They rose up to play,” this is misleading. To translate the Greek word paizō in this context is extremely difficult. However, because of the next verse, it appears Paul is saying that they rose up after feasting and drinking to fall into immorality. Although paizō could be translated “They rose up to sport” or “They rose up to hilarity,” it seems that sexual immorality is the more likely inference here. The Aramaic word can be translated “carouse.”
8Neither should we commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, which caused the death of twenty-three thousand # 10:8 Some manuscripts have “twenty-four thousand.” See Num. 25:9. on a single day. 9Nor should we ever provoke the Lord, # 10:9 Some manuscripts have “Christ.” as some of them did by putting him to outrageous tests that resulted in their death from snakebites day after day. # 10:9 See Num. 21:5–9. 10And we must not embrace their ways by complaining—grumbling with discontent, as many of them did, # 10:10 In the Pentateuch there are at least sixteen occasions of the people of Israel murmuring. Believers today have even more spiritual blessings than Israel experienced in the wilderness, which would make our complaining even more odious. and were killed by the destroyer! # 10:10 Or “the destroying angel.”
11All the tests they endured on their way through the wilderness are a symbolic picture, an example that provides us with a warning so that we can learn through what they experienced. For we live in a time when the purpose of all the ages past is now completing its goal within us. # 10:11 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “The end of the ages has arrived upon us.” 12So beware if you think it could never happen to you, lest your pride becomes your downfall.
The Way of Escape
13We all experience # 10:13 Or “which has fastened onto you.” times of testing, # 10:13 Or “temptation.” which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face # 10:13 That is, God’s faithfulness and grace will limit the severity of every test and prevent you from being tested beyond your ability to cope. Unlimited grace is available for every believer who faces hardship, temptations, and seasons of difficulty. so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape # 10:13 Or “an exodus.” Trust in God’s faithfulness is the way of escape that empowers us to overcome every difficulty we may experience. We are not told that every difficulty will be removed from our lives, but that God’s grace provides an exit path. that will bring you out of it victoriously. # 10:13 Or “God bears up under you to take you out of danger” (Gr. hupophero) or “God provides a way of escape so that you may be empowered to endure it.” God’s faithfulness gives us both a way of escape and the power to endure.
Communion
14My cherished friends, keep on running far away from idolatry. 15I know I am writing to thoughtful people, so carefully consider what I say. 16For when we pray for the blessing of the communion cup, isn’t this our co-participation with the blood of Jesus? # 10:16 The Aramaic can be translated “the presence of the blood of Jesus.” There is no indication that the communion elements are “symbols.” Life is not imparted by partaking of a dead symbol or emblem. When we take communion (common-union) we participate in the reality and substance of the blood and body of our Lord Jesus. And the bread that we distribute, isn’t this the bread of our co-participation with the body of Christ? # 10:16 The Aramaic can be translated “the presence of the body of the Messiah.” 17For although we’re many, we become one loaf of bread and one body as we feast together # 10:17 The Aramaic can be translated “We are nourished by that one loaf of bread.” on one loaf.
18Consider the people of Israel when they fell into idolatry. When they ate the sacrifices offered to the gods, weren’t they becoming communal participants in what was sacrificed? 19Now, am I saying that idols and the sacrifices offered to them have any value? 20Absolutely not! However, I am implying that when an unbeliever offers a sacrifice to an idol, it is not offered to the true God but to a demon. I don’t want you to be participants with demons! 21You can’t drink from the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t feast at the table of the Lord and feast # 10:21 Or “participate,” which is the Greek word metaecho, or “echo with.” at the table of demons. 22Who would ever want to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Is that something you think you’re strong enough to endure? # 10:22 Or “Are we really stronger than he is?”
Living for God’s Glory
23You say, “Under grace there are no rules and we’re free to do anything we please.” Not exactly. Because not everything promotes growth in others. Your slogan, “We’re allowed to do anything we choose,” may be true—but not everything causes the spiritual advancement of others. 24So don’t always seek what is best for you at the expense of another. 25Yes, you are free to eat anything without worrying about your conscience, 26for the earth and all its abundance belongs to the Lord. # 10:26 See Pss. 24:1; 50:12; 89:11.
27So if an unbeliever invites you to dinner, go ahead and eat whatever is served, without asking questions concerning where it came from. # 10:27 Or “questions of conscience.” 28But if he goes out of his way to inform you that the meat was actually an offering sacrificed to idols, then you should pass, not only for his sake but because of his conscience. 29I’m talking about someone else’s conscience, not yours. What good is there in doing what you please if it’s condemned by someone else?
30So if I voluntarily participate, why should I be judged for celebrating my freedom? # 10:30 Or “eating food that I gave thanks for.” 31Whether you eat or drink, live your life in a way that glorifies and honors God. 32And make sure you’re not offending Jews or Greeks or any part of God’s assembly over your personal preferences. 33Follow my example, for I try to please everyone in all things, rather than putting my liberty first. I sincerely attempt to do anything I can so that others may be saved.
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1 Corinthians 10: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion Translation1 Corinthians 10
10
Warning Against Overconfidence. 1#Paul embarks unexpectedly upon a panoramic survey of the events of the Exodus period. The privileges of Israel in the wilderness are described in terms that apply strictly only to the realities of the new covenant (“baptism,” “spiritual food and drink”); interpreted in this way they point forward to the Christian experience (1 Cor 10:1–4). But those privileges did not guarantee God’s permanent pleasure (1 Cor 10:5). I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea,#Ex 13:21–22; 14:19–20 / Ex 14:21–22, 26–30. 2and all of them were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.#Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27 / Ex 16:4–35. 3All ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them,#A spiritual rock that followed them: the Torah speaks only about a rock from which water issued, but rabbinic legend amplified this into a spring that followed the Israelites throughout their migration. Paul uses this legend as a literary type: he makes the rock itself accompany the Israelites, and he gives it a spiritual sense. The rock was the Christ: in the Old Testament, Yahweh is the Rock of his people (cf. Dt 32, Moses’ song to Yahweh the Rock). Paul now applies this image to the Christ, the source of the living water, the true Rock that accompanied Israel, guiding their experiences in the desert. and the rock was the Christ.#Ex 17:1–7; Nm 20:7–11; Dt 8:15. 5Yet God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the desert.#Nm 14:28–38; Jude 5.
6#This section explicitates the typological value of these Old Testament events: the desert experiences of the Israelites are examples, meant as warnings, to deter us from similar sins (idolatry, immorality, etc.) and from a similar fate. These things happened as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil things, as they did.#Nm 11:4, 34. 7And do not become idolaters, as some of them did, as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel.”#Ex 32:6. 8Let us not indulge in immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell within a single day.#Nm 25:1–9. 9Let us not test Christ#Christ: to avoid Paul’s concept of Christ present in the wilderness events, some manuscripts read “the Lord.” as some of them did, and suffered death by serpents.#Nm 21:5–9. 10Do not grumble as some of them did, and suffered death by the destroyer.#Nm 14:2–37; 16:1–35. 11These things happened to them as an example, and they have been written down as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come.#Upon whom the end of the ages has come: it is our period in time toward which past ages have been moving and in which they arrive at their goal. 12Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.#Take care not to fall: the point of the whole comparison with Israel is to caution against overconfidence, a sense of complete security (1 Cor 10:12). This warning is immediately balanced by a reassurance, based, however, on God (1 Cor 10:13). 13No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.#Mt 6:13; Jas 1:13–14 / 1 Cor 1:9.
Warning Against Idolatry.#The warning against idolatry from 1 Cor 10:7 is now repeated (1 Cor 10:14) and explained in terms of the effect of sacrifices: all sacrifices, Christian (1 Cor 10:16–17), Jewish (1 Cor 10:18), or pagan (1 Cor 10:20), establish communion. But communion with Christ is exclusive, incompatible with any other such communion (1 Cor 10:21). Compare the line of reasoning at 1 Cor 6:15. 14Therefore, my beloved, avoid idolatry.#1 Jn 5:21. 15I am speaking as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I am saying. 16The 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?#Mt 26:26–29; Acts 2:42. 17Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.#Rom 12:5; Eph 4:4.
18Look at Israel according to the flesh; are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?#Lv 7:6. 19So what am I saying? That meat sacrificed to idols is anything? Or that an idol is anything? 20No, I mean that what they sacrifice, [they sacrifice] to demons,#To demons: although Jews denied divinity to pagan gods, they often believed that there was some nondivine reality behind the idols, such as the dead, or angels, or demons. The explanation Paul offers in 1 Cor 10:20 is drawn from Dt 32:17: the power behind the idols, with which the pagans commune, consists of demonic powers hostile to God. not to God, and I do not want you to become participants with demons.#Dt 32:17. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.#2 Cor 6:14–18. 22Or are we provoking the Lord to jealous anger? Are we stronger than he?#Dt 32:21 / Eccl 6:10.
Seek the Good of Others.#10:23–11:1] By way of peroration Paul returns to the opening situation (1 Cor 8) and draws conclusions based on the intervening considerations (1 Cor 9–10). 23“Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial.#He repeats in the context of this new problem the slogans of liberty from 1 Cor 6:12, with similar qualifications. Liberty is not merely an individual perfection, nor an end in itself, but is to be used for the common good. The language of 1 Cor 10:24 recalls the descriptions of Jesus’ self-emptying in Phil 2. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds up.#6:12. 24No one should seek his own advantage, but that of his neighbor.#Rom 15:2; Phil 2:4, 21. 25#A summary of specific situations in which the eating of meat sacrificed to idols could present problems of conscience. Three cases are considered. In the first (the marketplace, 1 Cor 10:25–26) and the second (at table, 1 Cor 10:27), there is no need to be concerned with whether food has passed through a pagan sacrifice or not, for the principle of 1 Cor 8:4–6 still stands, and the whole creation belongs to the one God. But in the third case (1 Cor 10:28), the situation changes if someone present explicitly raises the question of the sacrificial origin of the food; eating in such circumstances may be subject to various interpretations, some of which could be harmful to individuals. Paul is at pains to insist that the enlightened Christian conscience need not change its judgment about the neutrality, even the goodness, of the food in itself (1 Cor 10:29–30); yet the total situation is altered to the extent that others are potentially endangered, and this calls for a different response, for the sake of others. Eat anything sold in the market, without raising questions on grounds of conscience, 26for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.”#Ps 24:1; 50:12. 27If an unbeliever invites you and you want to go, eat whatever is placed before you, without raising questions on grounds of conscience. 28But if someone says to you, “This was offered in sacrifice,” do not eat it on account of the one who called attention to it and on account of conscience; 29I mean not your own conscience, but the other’s. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30If I partake thankfully, why am I reviled for that over which I give thanks?#Rom 14:6; 1 Tm 4:3–4.
31So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32#10:32–11:1] In summary, the general rule of mutually responsible use of their Christian freedom is enjoined first negatively (1 Cor 10:32), then positively, as exemplified in Paul (1 Cor 10:33), and finally grounded in Christ, the pattern for Paul’s behavior and theirs (1 Cor 11:1; cf. Rom 15:1–3). Avoid giving offense, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved.#9:22; Rom 15:2.
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