1 Corinthians — Chapter 10

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1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7Neither 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.

8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13There 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.

14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16The 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?

17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21Ye 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.

22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

24Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

27If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28But 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:

29Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

30For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

1For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3and did all eat the same spiritual food;

4and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.

5Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7Neither 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.

8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents.

10Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer.

11Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.

14Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?

17seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we are all partake of the one bread.

18Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?

19What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

20But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons.

21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify.

24Let no man seek his own, but [each] his neighbor`s [good].

25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience` sake,

26for the earth is the Lord`s, and the fulness thereof.

27If one of them that believe not biddeth you [to a feast], and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience` sake.

28But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake:

29conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other`s; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

32Give no occasions of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:

33even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the [profit] of the many, that they may be saved.

1For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea,

2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

3and all ate the same spiritual food,

4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were all drinking from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.

5But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were cut down in the wilderness.

6These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did.

7So do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”

8And let us not be immoral, as some of them were, and 23,000 died in a single day.

9And let us not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by snakes.

10And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.

11These things happened to them as examples and were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

12So let the one who thinks he is standing be careful that he does not fall.

13No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.

14So then, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

15I am speaking to thoughtful people. Consider what I say.

16Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ?

17Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all share the one bread.

18Look at the people of Israel. Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar?

19Am I saying that idols or food sacrificed to them amount to anything?

20No, I mean that what the pagans sacrifice is to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.

21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot take part in the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

22Or are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we really stronger than he is?

23“Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds others up.

24Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person.

25Eat anything that is sold in the marketplace without questions of conscience,

26for the earth and its abundance are the Lord’s.

27If an unbeliever invites you to dinner and you want to go, eat whatever is served without asking questions of conscience.

28But if someone says to you, “This is from a sacrifice,” do not eat, because of the one who told you and because of conscience—

29I do not mean yours but the other person’s. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience?

30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I blamed for the food that I give thanks for?

31So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

32Do not give offense to Jews or Greeks or to the church of God,

33just as I also try to please everyone in all things. I do not seek my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.

1Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3and all ate the same spiritual food;

4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.

5However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7Don’t be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”

8Let us not commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.

9Let us not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.

10Don’t grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.

11Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

12Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall.

13No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

15I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say.

16The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ?

17Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.

18Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

19What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

20But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons.

21You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

23“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up.

24Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor’s good.

25Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience,

26for “the earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness.”

27But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience.

28But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

29Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for something I give thanks for?

31Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

32Give no occasion for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;

33even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Israel's wilderness failures serve as warnings against idolatry and testing God, Paul teaches that God provides a way of escape from every temptation, and commands that whether eating or drinking, "do all to the glory of God."

Authorship & Background

Author: Paul (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 10 continues the idol-meat discussion (chapters 8-10) with a warning from Israel's history (vv.1-13), a command to flee idolatry (vv.14-22), and practical guidelines for eating (vv.23-33). Paul uses Israel's wilderness failures as a warning: privilege doesn't guarantee perseverance.
Israel's Warning (vv.1-13): All Israel experienced God's blessings — the cloud, the sea, the manna, the water from the rock. Yet "with many of them God was not well pleased" (v.5). They fell through lust, idolatry, fornication, testing God, and grumbling. Paul's point: spiritual privilege doesn't make you immune to falling. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (v.12).
The Faithfulness of God (v.13): One of the most quoted and comforting verses in the Bible. God is faithful — He won't allow temptation beyond your ability, and He always provides "a way to escape." Not escape FROM temptation but escape THROUGH it — the ability to bear it.
"Do All to the Glory of God" (v.31): The chapter's summary principle — and one of the most comprehensive commands in Scripture. Every action — eating, drinking, whatever you do — should aim at God's glory.

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines Israel's warning, God's faithfulness in temptation, the incompatibility of Christ's table and demons' table, and the glory principle.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "God's Faithfulness in Temptation" on v.13 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 652) "God is faithful — He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. Every temptation has a limit set by God. And with every temptation, He provides a way of escape. Not a way to avoid it — a way through it. The escape is always there. Look for it." Sermon: "All to the Glory of God" on v.31 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1385) "Whether ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do — WHATSOEVER. Not just the 'spiritual' things. Eating. Drinking. Working. Sleeping. Everything. Do ALL to the glory of God. There is no secular/sacred divide. Every moment is an opportunity for glory."

Videos

The Bible Project — 1 Corinthians Overview

Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)

Reflection

  • 1. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (v.12). Israel had every spiritual privilege — and still fell. Overconfidence is dangerous. Where are you most confident in your spiritual strength? That may be where you're most vulnerable.
  • 2. "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able" (v.13). Every temptation has a God-set limit and a God-provided exit. When you're tempted, are you looking for the way of escape? It's always there.
  • 3. "Flee from idolatry" (v.14). Don't negotiate with idols — flee. What are the idols in your life — things that compete with God for your worship, trust, or affection? Career? Money? Approval? Pleasure?
  • 4. "Do all to the glory of God" (v.31). Every action — eating, working, resting, relating — can glorify God. How would your day change if you evaluated every activity by this standard?
  • 5. Israel had the cloud, the sea, the manna, the water — and still fell (vv.1-5). Spiritual experiences don't guarantee spiritual perseverance. What are you relying on besides ongoing faith and obedience?
  • 6. Paul lists five sins that destroyed Israel: lust, idolatry, fornication, testing God, and grumbling (vv.6-10). Which of these is most relevant to your life right now?
  • 7. "God is faithful" (v.13). In the middle of temptation, do you believe that? Do you look for the way of escape, or do you assume there isn't one?
  • 8. Paul says you "cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils" (v.21). You cannot participate in Christ AND in things that oppose Him. Where might you be trying to have both?
  • 9. "Not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many" (v.33). Paul's motivation was others' salvation — not his own comfort. What motivates your daily decisions — your own benefit or others' good?