1 Corinthians 10

King James Version

Full text for 1 Corinthians Chapter 10

1¶ Moreover, 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.

6¶ Now 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.

15¶ I 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?

23¶ All 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul uses the experiences of ancient Israel in the wilderness as a cautionary tale, demonstrating how spiritual privileges do not guarantee salvation if accompanied by sin. He warns against lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting Christ, and murmuring, emphasizing that these events serve as examples for believers. The chapter concludes by urging believers to flee idolatry, exercise Christian liberty responsibly for the edification of others, and do all things to the glory of God, giving no offense.

Medium Summary

The apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian believers of ancient Israel's journey, highlighting their spiritual privileges such as being under the cloud, passing through the sea, and partaking of spiritual food and drink from Christ, the spiritual Rock. Despite these, many were overthrown due to their sins, including lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting Christ, and murmuring. These failures are presented as ensamples for Christian admonition, warning against similar transgressions and overconfidence, while assuring that God provides a way to escape temptation. Paul then strongly condemns participation in idol sacrifices, asserting that such acts are communion with devils and incompatible with partaking of the Lord's table. He introduces the principle that while all things may be lawful, not all are expedient or edifying, advocating for actions that seek the profit of others. Ultimately, believers are exhorted to do all, whether eating or drinking, to the glory of God, giving no offense to any.

Long Summary

In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul draws extensively from the history of ancient Israel to instruct the Corinthian church. He recounts how their forefathers experienced divine favor, being under the cloud, passing through the Red Sea, and being baptized unto Moses, while also partaking of spiritual meat and drink from Christ, the spiritual Rock. Despite these profound spiritual privileges, many of them displeased God and were overthrown in the wilderness due to their sins. Paul explicitly states that these events serve as examples and are written for the admonition of believers, warning against lusting after evil things, idolatry, fornication (which led to 23,000 falling in one day), tempting Christ, and murmuring. He cautions those who believe they stand firm to take heed lest they fall, yet assures that God is faithful and will not allow temptation beyond what one can bear, always providing a way to escape. The apostle then issues a direct command to flee from idolatry, explaining that the cup of blessing and the bread broken in the Lord's Supper are communion with Christ's blood and body, making believers one body. He contrasts this with pagan sacrifices, asserting that what Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, not God, and it is impossible for believers to partake of both the Lord's table and the table of devils without provoking the Lord to jealousy. The chapter then addresses the practical application of Christian liberty, stating that while "all things are lawful," not all are "expedient" or "edify." Believers are urged to seek not their own profit, but that of others. Regarding food offered to idols, Paul advises eating whatever is sold in the market or set before them at an unbeliever's feast without question, for "the earth is the Lord's." However, if someone points out that food has been sacrificed to idols, they should refrain from eating for the sake of that person's conscience, not their own. The overarching principle is to do all, whether eating, drinking, or any other action, to the glory of God, giving no offense to Jews, Gentiles, or the church of God, thereby seeking the profit of many for their salvation.

Core Concepts

  • Israel as ExamplesThe experiences of ancient Israel in the wilderness, including their spiritual privileges and subsequent failures due to sin, are presented as cautionary ensamples and admonition for New Testament believers.
  • Spiritual CommunionPaul highlights the spiritual nature of Israel's provisions (baptism unto Moses, spiritual food/drink from Christ) and contrasts it with the communion of the Lord's Supper, which unites believers with Christ's body and blood.
  • Fleeing IdolatryThe chapter strongly warns against any participation in idol worship or feasts, explaining that sacrifices to idols are sacrifices to devils, and it is impossible to partake of both the Lord's table and the table of devils.
  • Temptation and God's FaithfulnessBelievers are cautioned against overconfidence, but also assured that God is faithful and will not allow them to be tempted beyond their ability, always providing a way to escape.
  • Liberty and EdificationWhile Christians possess liberty ('all things are lawful'), they must consider whether their actions are 'expedient' or 'edify' others, prioritizing the spiritual well-being and conscience of their brethren over personal rights.
  • Conscience of OthersWhen making choices, particularly regarding food offered to idols, believers are instructed to consider the conscience of others, refraining from actions that might cause a weaker brother to stumble.
  • Glorifying God in All ThingsThe ultimate principle is that all actions, including eating and drinking, should be done to the glory of God, seeking the profit of many and giving no offense to any group.