1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10:5

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

But yet, for all this, there were many of them, with whom God was displeased; notwithstanding this outward profession, and participation of his Sacraments: as ye may perceive by the effects; for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

1 Corinthians 10:7

The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

The people did feast in their sacrifices, to the honour of their idol; and, in celebration of their solemnities, did rise up to play.

1 Corinthians 10:8

As some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

As they committed fornication with the Moabitish women, and were accordingly punished; there being slain of them, in one day, three and twenty thousand, beside one thousand before.

1 Corinthians 10:9

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted.

Neither let us tempt our Lord Christ, with our impatience and infidelity, as some of them tempted him, by making undue trials of his power and mercy.

1 Corinthians 10:10

And were destroyed of the destroyer.

And were destroyed of the destroying angel, executing the just wrath of God.

1 Corinthians 10:12

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

Let no man therefore glory in his own strength, or securely presume upon his own abilities; but let him, that thinks he standeth, and applauds himself in his own abilities, take heed lest he fall.

1 Corinthians 10:13

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.

Now, upon these examples of God’s judgments and the reproof of your sins, I would not have you too much dejected and discouraged; for, if you have been miscarried with temptations, nothing is befallen you herein more than is incident unto other men: rather have careful recourse to God, who is faithful in the performance of all his promises and undertakings; and, if ye look up to him, will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength to resist and overcome; but will moderate the temptation, and give you a happy issue out of it; and enable you, in the mean time, to go through with it.

1 Corinthians 10:15

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

I speak, as to wise men, who do well understand the true nature and use of the Sacraments; and therefore judge ye, whether that which I speak be not just and right.

1 Corinthians 10:16

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?

Is it for you, that are members of Christ and partakers of the body and blood of Christ in his Holy Supper, to have any thing to do with the table of Idols? Look to the holy elements of both kinds: that sacred cup in the Eucharist, which we consecrate and bless, is it not that, wherein we have a joint communion with Christ, in partaking of his blood? The bread, which we break in that Holy Supper, is it not that, wherein we do both profess and have communion with Christ, in a joint receiving of his body?

1 Corinthians 10:17

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

For we, that receive this body of Christ, are now not many bodies, but one body; even as the bread is, of many grains, made up into one loaf.

1 Corinthians 10:18

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

Cast your eyes upon those Jews, which hold themselves still to the Mosaical Law: are not they, while they eat of the oblations made to God, justly thereby held to be partakers of that sacrifice, which is offered upon the altar, unto the true God? So therefore must it needs be, that ye, which eat of the meat offered to idols, do, by this means, interest yourselves in their Idolatry.

1 Corinthians 10:19

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

What shall I say then? that the Idol hath any power in itself, to defile and pollute the creature? or that the things offered to Idols do, either in their nature contract any pollution hereby, or cast as of themselves any uncleanness upon the partaker of them? No, surely; all the pollution is in the purpose and intention of the receivers: the end and scope of these superstitious Idolaters is wicked; and thereupon, those, that join with them in their abominable work, become justly defiled.

1 Corinthians 10:20

But, 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.

For the deities of the Gentiles are no other than devils, what form soever they put on; and, therefore, those things, which they sacrifice unto those their imagined gods, are by them sacrificed indeed unto devils, not unto God: and I would not, that ye should have any communion with and in the service of devils.

1 Corinthians 10:21

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: &c.

Ye, therefore, who, at God’s table, partake of the cup of the Lord, cannot, at the table of Idols, partake of the cup of devils: &c.

1 Corinthians 10:22

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

Do we dare to provoke the Lord to wrath; and to a jealous indignation, at our participation with Idol-gods? Can we bear it out against him? Will he not be sure to be revenged on us, to our utter confusion?

1 Corinthians 10:24

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

Let no man stand upon the terms of his own right and liberty, and regard his own pleasure or profit, but carefully tender the good and welfare of others.

1 Corinthians 10:26

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

For the earth is the Lord’s, and all the creatures wherewith it is furnished; and, in his right, they are therefore thine to make thy lawful use of.

1 Corinthians 10:28

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: the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

But if any man, &c. eat not; out of thy due respects to the offence of him that told thee so; and for conscience sake, upon the very same ground of that full right, which thou hast in God to all his creatures, and therefore needest not to be tied to eat of any of them, with offence.

1 Corinthians 10:29

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

For the conscience sake, I say, not of thyself, for thine own conscience perhaps is fully enough persuaded of the lawfulness hereof, but of that other that told thee so; who, doubtless, would not have spoken of it to thee, if he had not made scruple of it himself: for why should I use my liberty with scandal, so as I should be condemned by another man’s conscience; while I do that which he thinks damnable, though I think it lawful?

1 Corinthians 10:30

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

For, though I may lawfully eat of things sacrificed to Idols, by the grace and privilege of my Evangelical liberty, receiving the good creatures of God, though abused, with thanksgiving to God, the author and giver of them; yet, why should I expose myself to the censures of men, and open their mouths against me, as if I were an Idolater, in doing it?

1 Corinthians 10:32

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

Give none offence to any man whomsoever, whether within the bosom of the Church or without; neither to Jew, nor Gentile, nor Christian.

1 Corinthians 10:33

Even as I please all men in all things, not &c.

Even as I please all men in all lawful and indifferent things, not seeking, &c.