1 Corinthians Chapter 10

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 33 Verses

What is 1 Corinthians 10 about?

Paul's pastoral correction of a divided church — gifts, the definition of love, the Lord's Supper, and the resurrection. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
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.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, etc.] The apostle having suggested his own fears and jealousies, lest, notwithstanding all his gifts and grace, he should be left to do anything that might be a means of laying him aside, and rendering him useless in his ministerial work; and which he hints for the use of these Corinthians, who boasted of their knowledge, and made an imprudent use of their Christian liberty, to the hurt of weak minds; he proceeds to lay before them the case of the Jewish fathers, who, notwithstanding the many favours and privileges they were blessed with, yet falling…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“DANGER OF FELLOWSHIP WITH IDOLATRY ILLUSTRATED IN THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL: SUCH FELLOWSHIP INCOMPATIBLE WITH FELLOWSHIP IN THE LORD'S SUPPER. EVEN LAWFUL THINGS ARE TO BE FORBORNE, SO AS NOT TO HURT WEAK BRETHREN. (1Co. 10:1-33) Moreover--The oldest manuscripts read "for." Thus the connection with the foregoing chapter is expressed. Ye need to exercise self-denying watchfulness notwithstanding all your privileges, lest ye be castaways. For the Israelites with all their privileges were most of them castaways through want of it. ignorant--with all your boasted "knowledge." our fathers--The Jewish Church stands in the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Moreover, brethren - But, or now (δε de). This verse, with the following illustrations 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, is properly connected in Paul’s argument with the statements which he had made in 1 Corinthians 8:8, etc., and is designed to show the danger which would result from their partaking of the feasts that were celebrated in honor of idols. It is not improbable, as Mr. Locke supposes, that the Corinthians might have urged that they were constantly solicited by their pagan friends to attend those feasts; that in their circumstances it was scarcely possible to avoid it; that there could be no danger of their…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“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. Exo 13:21, Exo 14:22 1 Corinthians 10:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“10:1-22 After illustrating from his own life the key principle of giving up one’s rights for the sake of others (ch 9), Paul turns back to the specific question of eating meat sacrificed to idols (8:1-13). He warns believers of God’s wrath on those who sin, especially on those who engage in idolatry. 10:1-11 Even though the Israelites were God’s people and experienced his salvation and provision (see Exod 13:21-22; 14:21-29), they still came under his judgment because of their disobedience.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“I would: Co1 12:1, Co1 14:38; Rom 11:21 our: Joh 4:20; Rom 4:11; Gal 3:29 were: Exo 13:21, Exo 13:22, Exo 14:19, Exo 14:20, Exo 40:34; Num 9:15-22, Num 14:14; Deu 1:33; Neh 9:12, Neh 9:19; Psa 78:14, Psa 105:39 and all: Exo 14:19-22, Exo 14:29; Num 33:8; Jos 4:23; Neh 9:11; Psa 66:6, Psa 77:16-20; Psa 78:13, Psa 78:53, Psa 106:7-11, Psa 114:3-5, Psa 136:13-15; Isa 58:11-13; Heb 11:29; Rev 15:2, Rev 15:3 1 Corinthians 10:2”
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