Warnings from Israel’s Past
(Numbers 16:41–50; Numbers 25:1–5)
The Israelites were God's people and experienced his...
The Israelites were God's people and experienced his salvation and provision (see Exodus 13:21–22; 14:21–29). However, they still faced his judgment because they disobeyed.
After sharing a personal example about giving up...
After sharing a personal example about giving up one's rights for others (chapter 9), Paul addresses the issue of eating meat offered to idols (8:1–13). He warns believers about God's anger towards those who sin, especially those involved in idol worship.
1I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. 2They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
the same spiritual food: God provided food and...
the same spiritual food: God provided food and water supernaturally in the wilderness for the Israelites (see Exodus 16:4–35; 17:1–7; Numbers 20:2–17). The Corinthians faced a similar situation.
the spiritual rock that accompanied them: refers to the rock Moses struck to get water (Exodus 17:1–7; Numbers 20:2–17). Early Jewish tradition believed both miracles involved the same traveling rock.
that rock was Christ: Paul explains Israel's experience as a parallel to God's provision in the wilderness and the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 10:14–18; compare John 4:14; 7:37–39; Revelation 22:17). Both Israelites and Christians share in Christ's spiritual provisions. Just as the Israelites were judged for their sins, Christians will also be judged if they sin (1 Corinthians 10:5–22).
the same spiritual food: God provided food and water supernaturally in the wilderness for the Israelites (see Exodus 16:4–35; 17:1–7; Numbers 20:2–17). The Corinthians faced a similar situation.
the spiritual rock that accompanied them: refers to the rock Moses struck to get water (Exodus 17:1–7; Numbers 20:2–17). Early Jewish tradition believed both miracles involved the same traveling rock.
that rock was Christ: Paul explains Israel's experience as a parallel to God's provision in the wilderness and the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 10:14–18; compare John 4:14; 7:37–39; Revelation 22:17). Both Israelites and Christians share in Christ's spiritual provisions. Just as the Israelites were judged for their sins, Christians will also be judged if they sin (1 Corinthians 10:5–22).
3They all ate the same spiritual food 4and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.
6These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”† 8We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9We should not test Christ,† as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. 10And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.†
11Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
Paul warns the Corinthians not to fall into...
Paul warns the Corinthians not to fall into sin (compare Romans 11:20–22). He reminds them that God is faithful (see 1 Corinthians 1:9; compare Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Peter 4:19). God will not let them face temptation (compare James 1:2–4) beyond what they can handle. He will always provide a way out.
12So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
Flee from Idolatry
Paul warns his readers against anything that might...
Paul warns his readers against anything that might be seen as idolatry (see 1 John 5:21), including eating food to honor a pagan god.
14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say.
Paul explains the spiritual meaning of sacred meals....
Paul explains the spiritual meaning of sacred meals. In the Lord’s Supper, believers share in the blood and body of Christ (see also 11:17–34; Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; Luke 22:19–20). Sharing one loaf unites believers as one body in Christ, similar to how pagans’ religious meals connect them with the gods they worship (see 1 Corinthians 10:19–21).
16Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.
18Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?
Idols lack reality or life (see 8:4–6), and...
Idols lack reality or life (see 8:4–6), and sacrifices to them achieve nothing. When pagans sacrifice to idols, they unknowingly sacrifice to demons (see Deuteronomy 32:16–17; Psalm 106:37; Revelation 9:20). By participating in these religious meals, people unite with demons.
19Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too. 22Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?
All to God’s Glory
Paul concludes the discussion started in 8:1 with...
Paul concludes the discussion started in 8:1 with guidance on when Christians may eat meat offered to an idol and when they should not (see study note on 1 Corinthians 8:1–11:1). His guidance emphasizes the principle of giving up one's rights out of love (see also 8:13–9:23).
" Everything is permissible ": Paul is likely...
"Everything is permissible": Paul is likely quoting a common saying among the Corinthians and explaining it.
Paul clarifies a Christian’s freedom by stressing the importance of doing what benefits others (see 6:12; 10:32–33; Romans 14:13–15, 19–21; 15:1–2; compare Philippians 2:3–4).
"Everything is permissible": Paul is likely quoting a common saying among the Corinthians and explaining it.
Paul clarifies a Christian’s freedom by stressing the importance of doing what benefits others (see 6:12; 10:32–33; Romans 14:13–15, 19–21; 15:1–2; compare Philippians 2:3–4).
23“Everything is permissible,”† but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. 24No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.
25Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”†
When Christians are invited to a meal with...
When Christians are invited to a meal with a non-believer, they can eat what is served unless told the meat was offered to an idol. In that case, Christians should not eat it to respect the other person's beliefs. The person might think eating the meat honors the idol (see 8:7, 9–10; compare Romans 14:13–15, 20–23).
27If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat anything set before you without raising questions of conscience. 28But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—†
These two questions are hard to understand in...
These two questions are hard to understand in relation to 10:28–29a. Some translations place 10:28–29a in parentheses, suggesting these questions reflect Paul’s beliefs, continuing from 10:27.
29the other one’s conscience, I mean, not your own. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30If I partake in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
Paul ends his discussion by summarizing two principles...
Paul ends his discussion by summarizing two principles to guide Christian behavior:
Believers should do everything to honor God (see Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11).
Believers should avoid offending others and should not harm another person's Christian faith (compare 1 Corinthians 8:9, 13; 1 John 2:10). Christians should prioritize what is best for others over personal privilege (compare Romans 14:13–15, 19–21; 15:1–2). These two principles are central to Paul's advice on practical Christian living in this letter.
Believers should do everything to honor God (see Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11).
Believers should avoid offending others and should not harm another person's Christian faith (compare 1 Corinthians 8:9, 13; 1 John 2:10). Christians should prioritize what is best for others over personal privilege (compare Romans 14:13–15, 19–21; 15:1–2). These two principles are central to Paul's advice on practical Christian living in this letter.
31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 32Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God— 33as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.