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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