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1
Corinthians Chapter Ten
1 Corinthians 10
The apostle then gives the Corinthians the ways of God
with Israel in the wilderness, as instruction with regard to His ways with us,
declaring that the things which happened to them were types or figures which serve
as patterns for us: an important principle, and one which ought to be clearly
apprehended, in order to profit by it. It is not Israel who is the figure, but
that which happened to Israel-the ways of God with Israel. The things
themselves happened to Israel; they were written for our instruction who find
ourselves at the close of God's dispensations. That which shall follow will be
the judgment of God, when these examples will no longer serve for the life of
faith.
Two principles are next established which also have great practical
importance: "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he
fall." This is our responsibility. On the other side we have the
faithfulness of God. He does not permit us to be tempted beyond our strength,
but provides a way of escape in order that we may not stumble.
He enjoins, with regard to idolatry, that holy fear which
avoids the occasion of doing evil, the occasion of falling. There is
association and communion through the table of which we partake with that which
is on it; and we Christians, being many, are but one bread and one body, [1] inasmuch as we share the same bread at the
Lord's supper. Those in Israel who ate of the sacrifices were partakers of the
altar-were identified with it. So those who ate of idol's meat as such were
identified with the idol it was offered to. Was this to say that the idol was
anything? No. But as it is written (Deut. 32), "The things which the
Gentiles offered, they offered to demons and not to God." Should a
Christian then, partake of the table of demons? The table was the table of
demons, the cup the cup of demons-an important principle for the assembly of
God. Would one provoke the Lord by putting Him on a level with demons? Allusion
is again made to Deuteronomy 32:21. The apostle repeats his principle already
established, that he had liberty in every respect, but that on the one hand he
would not put himself under the power of anything; on the other, being free, he
would use his liberty for the spiritual good of all. To follow out this rule,
these are his instructions: Whatsoever was sold in the market they should eat
without question of conscience. If any man said, "This was sacrificed to
idols," it was a proof that he had conscience of an idol. They should then
not eat of it, because of his conscience. For as to him who was free, his
liberty could not be judged by the conscience of the other; for, as to
doctrine, and where there was knowledge, the apostle recognises it as a truth
that the idol was nothing. The creature was simply the creature of God.
Communion with that which was false I ought to avoid for myself, especially in
that which relates to communion with God Himself. I should deny myself the
liberty which the truth gave me, rather than wound the weak conscience of
others.
Moreover in all things, even in eating or drinking, we
ought to see the glory of God, and do all to His glory; giving no offence by
using our liberty, either to Jew or Gentile, or the assembly of God; following
the apostle's example, who, denying himself, sought to please all for their
edification.
Having given these rules in answer to questions of
detail, he turns to that which regarded the presence and action of the Holy Ghost;
which also introduces the subject of the conduct proper for them in their
assemblies.
[1] It
is here the apostle comes to the inner circle of the body of Christ, the true
assembly of God united together by the Holy Ghost, of which the Lord's supper
is the expression.
── John Darby《Synopsis of 1 Corinthians》
1 Corinthians 10
Chapter Contents
The great privileges, and yet terrible overthrow of the
Israelites in the wilderness. (1-5) Cautions against all idolatrous, and other
sinful practices. (6-14) The partaking in idolatry cannot exist with having
communion with Christ. (15-22) All we do to be to the glory of God, and without
offence to the consciences of others. (23-33)
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:1-5
(Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-5)
To dissuade the Corinthians from communion with
idolaters, and security in any sinful course, the apostle sets before them the
example of the Jewish nation of old. They were, by a miracle, led through the
Red Sea, where the pursuing Egyptians were drowned. It was to them a typical
baptism. The manna on which they fed was a type of Christ crucified, the Bread
which came down from heaven, which whoso eateth shall live for ever. Christ is
the Rock on which the Christian church is built; and of the streams that issue
therefrom, all believers drink, and are refreshed. It typified the sacred
influences of the Holy Spirit, as given to believers through Christ. But let
none presume upon their great privileges, or profession of the truth; these
will not secure heavenly happiness.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:6-14
(Read 1 Corinthians 10:6-14)
Carnal desires gain strength by indulgence, therefore
should be checked in their first rise. Let us fear the sins of Israel, if we
would shun their plagues. And it is but just to fear, that such as tempt
Christ, will be left by him in the power of the old serpent. Murmuring against
God's disposals and commands, greatly provokes him. Nothing in Scripture is
written in vain; and it is our wisdom and duty to learn from it. Others have
fallen, and so may we. The Christian's security against sin is distrust of
himself. God has not promised to keep us from falling, if we do not look to
ourselves. To this word of caution, a word of comfort is added. Others have the
like burdens, and the like temptations: what they bear up under, and break
through, we may also. God is wise as well as faithful, and will make our burdens
according to our strength. He knows what we can bear. He will make a way to
escape; he will deliver either from the trial itself, or at least the mischief
of it. We have full encouragement to flee from sin, and to be faithful to God.
We cannot fall by temptation, if we cleave fast to him. Whether the world
smiles or frowns, it is an enemy; but believers shall be strengthened to
overcome it, with all its terrors and enticements. The fear of the Lord, put
into their hearts, will be the great means of safety.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:15-22
(Read 1 Corinthians 10:15-22)
Did not the joining in the Lord's supper show a
profession of faith in Christ crucified, and of adoring gratitude to him for
his salvation ? Christians, by this ordinance, and the faith therein professed,
were united as the grains of wheat in one loaf of bread, or as the members in
the human body, seeing they were all united to Christ, and had fellowship with
him and one another. This is confirmed from the Jewish worship and customs in
sacrifice. The apostle applies this to feasting with idolaters. Eating food as
part of a heathen sacrifice, was worshipping the idol to whom it was made, and
having fellowship or communion with it; just as he who eats the Lord's supper,
is accounted to partake in the Christian sacrifice, or as they who ate the
Jewish sacrifices partook of what was offered on their altar. It was denying
Christianity; for communion with Christ, and communion with devils, could never
be had at once. If Christians venture into places, and join in sacrifices to
the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, they will
provoke God.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
(Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-33)
There were cases wherein Christians might eat what had
been offered to idols, without sin. Such as when the flesh was sold in the
market as common food, for the priest to whom it had been given. But a
Christian must not merely consider what is lawful, but what is expedient, and
to edify others. Christianity by no means forbids the common offices of
kindness, or allows uncourteous behaviour to any, however they may differ from
us in religious sentiments or practices. But this is not to be understood of
religious festivals, partaking in idolatrous worship. According to this advice
of the apostle, Christians should take care not to use their liberty to the hurt
of others, or to their own reproach. In eating and drinking, and in all we do,
we should aim at the glory of God, at pleasing and honouring him. This is the
great end of all religion, and directs us where express rules are wanting. A
holy, peaceable, and benevolent spirit, will disarm the greatest enemies.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians》
1 Corinthians 10
Verse 1
[1]
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;
Now —
That ye may not become reprobates, consider how highly favoured your fathers
were, who were God's elect and peculiar people, and nevertheless were rejected
by him. They were all under the cloud - That eminent token of God's gracious
presence, which screened them from the heat of the sun by day, and gave them
light by night.
And all passed through the sea — God opening a way through the midst of the waters. Exodus 13:21; Exodus 14:22
Verse 2
[2] And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
And were all, as it were, baptized unto Moses
- initiated into the religion which he taught them.
In the cloud and in the sea — Perhaps sprinkled here and there with drops of water from the sea or the
cloud, by which baptism might be the more evidently signified.
Verse 3
[3] And
did all eat the same spiritual meat;
And all ate the same manna, termed spiritual
meat, as it was typical, 1. Of Christ and his spiritual benefits: 2. Of the
sacred bread which we eat at his table. Exodus 16:15.
Verse 4
[4] And
did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock
that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
And all drank the same spiritual drink — Typical of Christ, and of that cup which we drink. For they drank out of
the spiritual or mysterious rock, the wonderful streams of which followed them
in their several journeyings, for many years, through the wilderness. And that
rock was a manifest type of Christ - The Rock of Eternity, from whom his people
derive those streams of blessings which follow them through all this
wilderness. Exodus 17:6.
Verse 5
[5] But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown
in the wilderness.
Yet —
Although they had so many tokens of the divine presence.
They were overthrown — With the most terrible marks of his displeasure.
Verse 6
[6] Now
these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil
things, as they also lusted.
Now these things were our examples — Showing what we are to expect if, enjoying the like benefits, we commit
the like sins. The benefits are set down in the same order as by Moses in
Exodus; the sins and punishments in a different order; evil desire first, as
being the foundation of all; next, idolatry, 1 Corinthians 10:7,14; then fornication, which
usually accompanied it, 1 Corinthians 10:8; the tempting and murmuring
against God, in the following verses.
As they desired —
Flesh, in contempt of manna. Numbers 11:4
Verse 7
[7]
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 be ye idolaters — And so, "neither murmur ye," 1 Corinthians 10:10. The other cautions are
given in the first person; but these in the second. And with what exquisite
propriety does he vary the person! It would have been improper to say, Neither
let us be idolaters; for he was himself in no danger of idolatry; nor probably
of murmuring against Christ, or the divine providence.
To play —
That is, to dance, in honour of their idol. Exodus 32:6.
Verse 8
[8]
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one
day three and twenty thousand.
And fell in one day three and twenty thousand — Beside the princes who were afterwards hanged, and those whom the judges
slew so that there died in all four and twenty thousand. Numbers 25:1,9.
Verse 9
[9]
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed
of serpents.
Neither let us tempt Christ — By our unbelief. St. Paul enumerates five benefits, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; of which the fourth and
fifth were closely connected together; and five sins, the fourth and fifth of
which were likewise closely connected. In speaking of the fifth benefit, he
expressly mentions Christ; and in speaking of the fourth sin, he shows it was
committed against Christ.
As some of them tempted him — This sin of the people was peculiarly against Christ; for when they had
so long drank of that rock, yet they murmured for want of water. Numbers 21:4, etc.
Verse 10
[10]
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the
destroyer.
The destroyer —
The destroying angel. Numbers 14:1,36
Verse 11
[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.
On whom the ends of the ages are come — The expression has great force. All things meet together, and come to a
crisis, under the last, the gospel, dispensation; both benefits and dangers,
punishments and rewards. It remains, that Christ come as an avenger and judge.
And even these ends include various periods, succeeding each other.
Verse 12
[12]
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
The common translation runs, Let him that
thinketh he standeth; but the word translated thinketh, most certainly
strengthens, rather than weakens, the sense.
Verse 13
[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.
Common to man —
Or, as the Greek word imports, proportioned to human strength.
God is faithful — In
giving the help which he hath promised.
And he will with the temptation — Provide for your deliverance.
Verse 14
[14]
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
Flee from idolatry —
And from all approaches to it.
Verse 16
[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?
The cup which we bless — By setting it apart to a sacred use, and solemnly invoking the blessing
of God upon it.
Is it not the communion of the blood of
Christ — The means of our partaking of those
invaluable benefits, which are the purchase of the blood of Christ. The
communion of the body of Christ - The means of our partaking of those benefits
which were purchased by the body of Christ - offered for us.
Verse 17
[17] For
we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one
bread.
For it is this communion which makes us all
one. We being many are yet, as it were, but different parts of one and the same
broken bread, which we receive to unite us in one body.
Verse 18
[18]
Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices
partakers of the altar?
Consider Israel after the flesh — Christians are the spiritual "Israel of God." Are not they who
eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar - Is not this an act of communion
with that God to whom they are offered? And is not the case the same with those
who eat of the sacrifices which have been offered to idols?
Verse 19
[19] What
say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice
to idols is any thing?
What say I then — Do
I in saying this allow that an idol is anything divine? I aver, on the contrary,
that what the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils. Such in reality are
the gods of the heathens; and with such only can you hold communion in those
sacrifices.
Verse 21
[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.
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the
cup of devils — You cannot have communion with both.
Verse 22
[22] Do
we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy — By thus caressing his rivals? Are we stronger than he - Are we able to
resist, or to bear his wrath?
Verse 23
[23] All
things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are
lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Supposing this were lawful in itself, yet it
is not expedient, it is not edifying to my neighbour.
Verse 24
[24] Let
no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
His own only, but another's welfare also.
Verse 25
[25]
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience
sake:
The apostle now applies this principle to the
point in question.
Asking no questions —
Whether it has been sacrificed or not.
Verse 26
[26] For
the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
For God, who is the Creator, Proprietor, and
Disposer of the earth and all that is therein, hath given the produce of it to
the children of men, to be used without scruple. Psalms 24:1
Verse 28
[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:
For his sake that showed thee, and for
conscience' sake — That is, for the sake of his weak
conscience, lest it should be wounded.
Verse 29
[29]
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty
judged of another man's conscience?
Conscience I say, not thy own — I speak of his conscience, not thine.
For why is my liberty judged by another's
conscience — Another's conscience is not the standard
of mine, nor is another's persuasion the measure of my liberty.
Verse 30
[30] For
if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give
thanks?
If I by grace am a partaker — If I thankfully use the common blessings of God.
Verse 31
[31]
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of
God.
Therefore — To
close the present point with a general rule, applicable not only in this, but
in all cases, Whatsoever ye do - In all things whatsoever, whether of a
religious or civil nature, in all the common, as well as sacred, actions of
life, keep the glory of God in view, and steadily pursue in all this one end of
your being, the planting or advancing the vital knowledge and love of God,
first in your own soul, then in all mankind.
Verse 32
[32] Give
none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of
God:
Give no offence —
If, and as far as, it is possible.
Verse 33
[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.
Even as I, as much as lieth in me, please all
men.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 1
Corinthians》
1 Cor.
10:6~11
At the site of
The same idea was in Paul’s mind in
this passage. The mistakes the Israelites made were cited by the apostle to
serve as a reminder and warning, much as the sign at
Chapter 10. Warnings from History
The Cup of
Thanksgiving
The Bread That Was Broken
I. Don't Repeat
the Failure
II. A Part in
the Lord's Table
III. Do Not
Abuse Freedom
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
Chapter Ten General Review OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To realize the possibility of apostasy 2) To appreciate the help of God in times of temptation 3) To understand the importance of properly applying the principle of expediency SUMMARY
In this chapter Paul brings to a conclusion his discussion concerning things offered to idols. Reminding them about the example of Israel apostasy and the danger of their own, he commands them to "flee idolatry" (1-14). He describes the communal implications of religiousfeasts and warns against provoking the Lord to jealousy by havingfellowship with demons (15-22). This is probably a rebuke to the sortof practice alluded to in chapter 8, verse 10, where some at the church in Corinth temple! He closes by giving specific instructions concerning meat that was later sold in the market place, or offered at the dinner of an unbeliever to which they might be invited; that they not be concerned unless someone specifically associates it with having been offered to an idol, and then to refrain out of consideration for the other's conscience (23-30). An overriding principle? Do all to the glory of God, and provide no occasi on for others to stumble (31-32). In other words, imitate Paul, who sought to save others just as Christ did (33-11:1). OUTLINE