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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Learn More About The Passion Translation1 Corinthians 10
10
Warning Against Idolatry
1For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,#10:1 Or brothers and sisters that our fathers were all under #See Ex. 13:21 the cloud, and all #See Ex. 14:22passed through the sea, 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3and #Ex. 16:15, 35; Deut. 8:3; Neh. 9:15, 20; Ps. 78:24 all ate the same #Ps. 78:25; 105:40; John 6:31spiritual food, 4and #See Ex. 17:6all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for #Num. 14:29, 37; 26:64, 65; Ps. 106:26; Heb. 3:17; Jude 5they were overthrown#10:5 Or were laid low in the wilderness.
6Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as #Num. 11:4, 33, 34; Ps. 78:18; 106:14they did. 7#ver. 14 Do not be idolaters #Ex. 32:4 as some of them were; as it is written, #Cited from Ex. 32:6“The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8#See ch. 6:18; Acts 15:20 We must not indulge in sexual immorality #Num. 25:1 as some of them did, and #[Num. 25:9; Ps. 106:29]twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9We must not put Christ#10:9 Some manuscripts the Lord to the test, #Num. 21:5; [Ex. 17:2, 7]; See Ps. 78:18 as some of them did and #See Num. 21:6were destroyed by serpents, 10nor grumble, #See Num. 14:2 as some of them did and #Num. 14:29-37 were destroyed by #Ex. 12:23; 2 Sam. 24:16; 1 Chr. 21:15; Ps. 78:49the Destroyer. 11Now these things happened to them as an example, but #See Rom. 4:23 they were written down for our instruction, #See Rom. 13:11on whom the end of the ages has come. 12Therefore #Rom. 11:20; [2 Pet. 3:17]let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. #See ch. 1:9 God is faithful, and #[Dan. 3:17]; See 2 Pet. 2:9he 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.
14Therefore, my beloved, #ver. 7flee from idolatry. 15I speak #[ch. 8:1]as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16#ch. 11:25; Matt. 26:27, 28 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? #ch. 11:23, 24; Matt. 26:26; See Acts 2:42; 20:7The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one bread, we who are many are #ch. 12:12, 13, 20; Rom. 12:5; Eph. 4:4, 16; Col. 3:15one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18Consider #Rom. 1:3; 4:1; 9:5; 2 Cor. 11:18 the people of Israel:#10:18 Greek Consider Israel according to the flesh #Lev. 3:3; 7:15; [Heb. 13:10]are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that #See ch. 8:4an idol is anything? 20No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice #Deut. 32:17they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21#[2 Cor. 6:15, 16] You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and #[Deut. 32:38] the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and #[Isa. 65:11]the table of demons. 22#Deut. 32:21 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? #Eccles. 6:10; Ezek. 22:14Are we stronger than he?
Do All to the Glory of God
23 # ch. 6:12; See ch. 8:9 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24#ver. 33; ch. 13:5; Phil. 2:21; [ch. 9:23; 2 Cor. 12:14]; See Rom. 15:1Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25#ch. 8:7Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26For #Cited from Ps. 24:1; [Ex. 9:29; 19:5; Deut. 10:14; Job 41:11; Ps. 50:12]“the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 27If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, #Luke 10:8eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29I do not mean #[ch. 8:9-12] your conscience, but his. For #[ch. 9:19; Rom. 14:16]why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that #Rom. 14:6; 1 Tim. 4:3, 4for which I give thanks?
31So, whether you eat or drink, or #Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32#ch. 8:13; Rom. 14:13; 2 Cor. 6:3 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to #[ch. 11:16]; See Acts 20:28the church of God, 33just as #ch. 9:22; [Gal. 1:10] I try to please everyone in everything I do, #See ver. 24not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
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