1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

In this chapter the apostle preformes the argument at the close of the left, and (1.) Warns the Corinthians against security by the example of the Jews, whose history is left upon record for the admonition of Christians, ver. 3—15. (2.) He resumes his former argument, chap. viii. about eating things offered to idols; and shows that it is utterly inconsistent with true Christianity, ver. 15—23. (3.) He lets them yet know, that though they must not eat of things sacrificed to idols as such, and eat of any regard to the idol, yet they might buy such flesh in the markets, and eat it at the table of heathen acquaintance, without a thing any questions: for that the heathen’s abuses of them did not render the creatures of God with to be the food of his servants. Yet liberty of this kind must be sold with a due regard to weak consciences, and as offence given by it to Jew or Gentile, or the church of God, ver. 23, ad finem.

1. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all paffed through the sea; 2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud, and in the sea; 3. And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4. And did all drink the same spiritual drink: (For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Christ.) 5. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not halt after evil things, as they also lusted. 7. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, the people let down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpens. 10. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11. Now all these things happened unto them for enfangies; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12. Wherefore let him that thinketh he thandeth, take heed left he fall. 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.

The apostle returns to the subject of eating the facticors offered to idols.

1. He reminds the Corinthians of the distinguished privileges, and fast overthrow of the Israelites in the wilderness. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all paffed through the sea, led by divine protection, covered from the heat by day, and cheered by the light of fire by night; preferred amidst the watery walls, and lately traversing the ocean’s bed; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud, and in the sea, sprinkled with some drops from the cloud, or the spray of the dashing waves; and were all brought under the Mosle of the world. 2. And did all eat of the same spiritual meat, the manna which fell around their tents, the figure of Christ, the true bread which came down from heaven, on whom his redeemer permanently had to the end of time; and did all drink of the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual rock which followed them, and that rock was Christ. Through all the desert the living streams gutted forth to flake their thirst; and that divine Redeemer, whom the rock prefigured, the fountain of living waters, and streams from Lebanon, he, by his gracious pretence, was in the midst of them: as he is still in the hearts of all his people a well of water springing up into everlasting life. But, though all enjoyed these distinguishing privileges, with many of them God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness; and, for their disobedience and rebellious, were not suffered to enter into the land of promise, the eyes of the heavenly Canaan, but their carcades fell in the desert. Now, it is not outward privileges enjoyed, but inward grace possessed, which alone can bring us to the central inheritance, and the rest which remained for the people of God.

2. From their examples, the apostle warns the Corinthians not to be secure, notwithstanding their distinguished privileges, left, imitating their sins, they should be exposed to like punishment. (1.) He cautions them against the indulgence of their oppress. Disatisfied with the manna, the Israelites lusted after flesh to eat. Against such luxury they must beware, and par-

ticularly avoid the idol-feasts or sacrifices, which could not but have the most fatal consequences. Note, To please the palate, how many have plunged both body and soul into hell! (2.) He warns them against idolatry, such as the Israelites committed, when, having suffered their sacrifices to the calf, they let down to feast upon them, and according to the heathen custom, rose up to dance around him to do him honour; but they severely smarted for their folly, Exod. xxxii. 10, 28. (3.) He admonishes them against fornication, such as the Jews committed with the daughters of Moab, and to which they were led at their idol feasts; the dire consequence of which was, that in one day three and twenty thousand were cut off by the immediate judgment of God. With such an instance of divine vengeance before them, they had need tremble for themselves in a city so abandoned to lawshorts as Corinth was, knowing that none of their privileges could protect them, if they sinned, but that whoremongers, and adulterers, God will judge. (4.) He warns them against all dishonourable distrust of the power and grace of Christ to carry them through their difficulties, remembering the vengeance inflicted upon those of old, who tempted and provoked God by their unbelief, Numb. xxi. 14. and were destroyed by the fiery serpens. Note, When unbelief prevails, then the old serpent, the devil, resumes his dominion over the soul. (5.) He cautions them against all discontent under their sufferings or trials, and to beware of those who would instigate them to murmur against him, and the other ministers of Christ, for what they delivered from him. Thus murmured the Israelites against Moses and Aaron, and at the difficulties they apprehended, and were destroyed by the angel’s hand. Their things were all recorded for the admonition of the church; and what belief God’s professing people of old, should be a warning to us at present, who live under the last dissociation which God will ever grant, that, having their fearful punishment, we might avoid the like provocations. Wherefore, let him that thinketh he thandeth, secure and immovable, take heed, left, puffed up with high imaginations of his own sufficiency, he fell, as the Israelites did of old. Now, (1.) Others falls should be our warnings. (2.) Distrust of ourselves, and dependence upon the power and grace of the Redeemer, are our great liability.

3. He encourages the faithful among them, under all their trials, to trust and not be afraid. There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man, such as you might expect from the world around; or such as is incident to the human nature; or, at least, none so grievous but you may well bear up under it. But however severe your temptations may be, God is faithful to his promises, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it, supporting you whilst it lasts, and in his good time giving you deliverance from it; so that you shall neither be drawn into sin, nor faint under your sufferings. Note (1.) We must not think our trials, however severe, singular, and murmur; others have felt the same before us. (2.) God’s faithfulness should be the anchor of our hope. (3.) Our Redeemer is mighty, we may safely trust him. (4.) God knows best what afflictions we need, and how long we should be exercised with them. To him let us always refer ourselves, calling our care upon him.

4. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 15. I speak as to wise men: judge ye what I say. 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? 17. For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19. What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 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. 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. 22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealously? are we stronger than he?

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

From the foregoing premises the apostle returns to urge the necessity of shunning idolatry, in its most distant approaches, knowing the stressful consequences of it on the one hand, and the divine assistance promised on the other. He therefore, as dearly beloved, with warm affection, warns them to flee from idolatry, and as to wise men, whether really possessed of spiritual wisdom, or vainly puffed up with their fancied high attainments, he appeals to them for the reshondheneb of what he advanced.

1. He instances in the case of the Lord’s Supper. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? Do we not therein profess to hold communion with Christ in all