Read the Passage: 1 Corinthians 10

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: 1 Corinthians 10

Considering Others (10:1–13)

Earlier, after Paul defended his own ministry, as well as the right of pastors to be financially supported by their churches, Paul concluded 1 Cor. 9 by encouraging his readers to live their lives in a manner consistent with their faith. In 1 Cor. 10, Paul continues this exhortation as he appeals to the example of Israel’s apostasy and pleads with those in Corinth to live their lives for the glory of God. Paul’s illustrative use of Israel is a helpful pedagogical tool, as he writes, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition” (1 Cor. 10:11; cf. 1 Cor. 10:6). This is useful, as it reminds us that many have come before us, both in Scripture and in history, from whom we can glean valuable lessons. Note that in 1 Cor. 10:1–4 Paul lists five blessings experienced by all Israel, before writing, “But with most of them, God was not well-pleased” (1 Cor. 10:5).

In saying that God was not well-pleased with “most of” the Israelites who were freed from Egypt, Paul was being ironic, as only two of those whom God freed from Egypt actually entered into the Promised Land (i.e., Joshua and Caleb). In 1 Cor. 10:6–11 Paul identifies five specific sins that were evident in the example of Israel—namely, lusting (cf. 1 Cor. 10:6), idolatry (cf. 1 Cor. 10:7), sexual immorality (cf. 1 Cor. 10:8), testing Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 10:9), and complaining (cf. 1 Cor. 10:10). These sins, along with their consequences, writes Paul, are all examples that can serve both to admonish the church and to aid in sanctification. Yet, the tendency for many believers, both in Corinth and today, is to believe they can handle temptation. Rather than make such an assumption, however, it would be better to prepare for spiritual testing by embracing God’s provision in Christ.

Fleeing Idolatry (10:14–22)

Having mentioned idolatry at 1 Cor. 10:7, Paul revisits the subject with more depth at 1 Cor. 10:14–22. Initially, at 1 Cor. 10:14, Paul simply exhorts his readers to “flee from idolatry.” Next, Paul invites the church to judge whether his ensuing doctrine is correct. Interestingly, Paul begins his discussion of idolatry by commenting about the Lord’s Supper, as he asks, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ” (1 Cor. 10:16)? The “cup of blessing” was the formal name for the third cup in the Passover meal, which apparently is the cup that Jesus used to institute the Lord’s Supper (cf. Matt. 26:26–28). In communion, when Christians drink the cup and eat the bread, they identify with Jesus’ broken body and sacrifice. Furthermore, the Lord’s Supper depicts the reality of believers’ desire for intimate union with Christ.

Paul writes that just as New Testament worshipers identify with Jesus when they partake of the Lord’s Supper, so did Old Testament worshipers identify with their “sacrifices . . . of the altar” (1 Cor. 10:18). With this pattern of identification established, Paul turns to his teaching on idolatry. Note that Paul is not speaking here about eating meat sacrificed to idols as merely a means of nourishment, as he had done in 1 Cor. 8:1–13. Rather, here in 1 Cor. 10:19–22 Paul is addressing believers’ participation in the worship of false gods via offering and eating sacrificial meat. Paul had already taught that meat sacrificed to idols was not tainted in any way, for no other gods actually exist (cf. 1 Cor. 8:4, 8; Gal. 4:8). Yet here Paul teaches that the pagan worship of false gods is really the worship of demons. Christians, then, must not participate in pagan sacrifices, for to do so would be to identify with demons.

Glorifying God (10:23–33)

In 1 Cor. 10:23–33 Paul revisits the larger issue of eating meat sacrificed to an idol. Here he is not addressing the specific issue of worshiping false gods, but the general issue of eating meat that has been sacrificed to an idol. First, in 1 Cor. 10:23–24, Paul gives the following principle: Just because something is permissible (or moral) does not mean that it is advisable (or wise). Next, in 1 Cor. 10:25–26, Paul reiterates his teaching from 1 Cor. 8:1–13, which is: Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without asking questions. Finally, in 1 Cor. 10:27–30 Paul applies these two ideas to the example of a meal attended by both believers and unbelievers. In this context, Paul’s conclusion is that Christians are free to eat sacrificial meat; however, if someone at the meal objects, then believers should refrain from eating such meat—all for the sake of the conscience of the offended party.

Application Questions:

1. How has your Christian life been helped or hindered by others’ examples—in Scripture and in your own life?
2. Were most of the Israelites whom God freed from slavery in Egypt spiritually redeemed (cf. Ps. 78; Heb. 3:16–4:2)?
3. Within the modern church, how common are the various sins cited in Paul’s example of Israel’s apostasy?
4. How can Christians best engage with the fallen world without being tempted or tainted by ungodly things and people?
5. What does it mean to “do all things to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31)? How can mundane things be done for God’s glory.