1 Corinthians 10:3

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 10:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and did all eat the same spiritual food;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and did all eat the same spiritual food;
1 Corinthians 10:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3and did all eat the same spiritual food;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And did all eat the same spiritual meat.] Meaning the manna; and which the Jews also call f175 ynjwr lkam, “spiritual food”, as also their sacrifices, f176 ynjwr µjl, “spiritual bread”: not that the manna was so in own nature; it was corporeal food, and served for the nourishment of the body; but either because it was prepared by angels, who are ministering spirits, at the command of God, and hence called angels’ food, (<197825>Psalm 78:25) or rather because it had a mystical and spiritual meaning in it; it was not the true bread, but was typical of Christ, who is so: it resembled Christ in its original; it was prepared of God, as Christ is, as his salvation prepared before the face of all…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“same spiritual meat--As the Israelites had the water from the rock, which answered to baptism, so they had the manna which corresponded to the other of the two Christian sacraments, the Lord's Supper. Paul plainly implies the importance which was attached to these two sacraments by all Christians in those days: "an inspired protest against those who lower their dignity, or deny their necessity" [ALFORD]. Still he guards against the other extreme of thinking the mere external possession of such privileges will ensure salvation. Moreover, had there been seven sacraments, as Rome teaches, Paul would have alluded to them, whereas he refers to only the two. He does not mean by "the same" that the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And did all eat the same spiritual meat - That is, “manna.” Exodus 16:15, Exodus 16:35; Nehemiah 9:15, Nehemiah 9:20. The word meat here is used in the old English sense of the word, to denote “food” in general. They lived on “manna.” The word “spiritual” here is evidently used to denote that which was given by the Spirit, or by God; that which was the result of his miraculous gift, and which was not produced in the ordinary way, and which was not the gross food on which people are usually supported. It had an excellency and value from the fact that it was the immediate gift of God, and is thus called “angels food.” Psalms 78:25. It is called by Josephus “divine and extraordinary food.” Ant.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And all ate the same manna, termed spiritual meat, as it was typical, Of Christ and his spiritual benefits: Of the sacred bread which we eat at his table. Exo 16:15. 1 Corinthians 10:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“10:3-4 Spiritual food . . . spiritual water: God graciously and supernaturally provided food and water in the wilderness, especially for the people of Israel (see Exod 16:4-35; 17:1-7; Num 20:2-17). The Corinthians’ situation was analogous. • The spiritual rock that traveled with them alludes to the rock that Moses struck to get water (Exod 17:1-7; Num 20:2-17). Early Jewish tradition understood both occurrences of the miracle to involve the same rock that was traveling with them. • that rock was Christ: Paul’s interpretation of Israel’s experience provides a parallel between God’s provision in the wilderness and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 10:14-18; cp. John 4:14; 7:37-39; Rev 22:17). Both the…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Exo 16:4, Exo 16:15, Exo 16:35; Deu 8:3; Neh 9:15, Neh 9:20; Psa 78:23-25, Psa 105:40; John 6:22-58 1 Corinthians 10:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification