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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;
10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
10:7 Neither 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.
10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
10:13 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.
10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
10:16 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?
10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to ds, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with ds.
10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of ds: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of ds.
10:22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
10:27 If 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.
10:28 But 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:
10:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
10:30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

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Everything King James Bible:1 Corinthians

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: 1 Corinthians
Book: 1 Corinthians
Chapter: 10

Overview:
The great privileges, and yet terrible overthrow of the
Israelites in the Wilderness. (1-5) Cautions against all
idolatrous, and other sinful practices. (6-14) The partaking in
Idolatry cannot exist with having Communion with Christ. (15-22)
All we do to be to the Glory of God, and without Offence to the
consciences of others. (23-33)

1-5 To dissuade the Corinthians from Communion with idolaters,
and security in any sinful course, the Apostle sets before them
the Example of the Jewish nation of old. They were, By a
Miracle, led through the Red Sea, where the pursuing Egyptians
were drowned. It was to them a typical Baptism. The Manna On
which they fed was a Type of Christ crucified, the Bread which
came down from Heaven, which whoso eateth shall live for ever.
Christ is the Rock On which the Christian Church is built; and
of the streams that issue therefrom, all believers Drink, and
are refreshed. It typified the sacred influences of the Holy
Spirit, as given to believers through Christ. But let none
presume upon their great privileges, or profession of the Truth;
these will not secure heavenly happiness.

6-14 Carnal desires gain strength By indulgence, therefore
should be checked in their first rise. Let us fear the sins of
Israel, if we would shun their plagues. And it is but just to
fear, that such as tempt Christ, will be left By him in the
power of the old Serpent. Murmuring against God's disposals and
commands, greatly provokes him. Nothing in Scripture is written
in vain; and it is our Wisdom and duty to learn from it. Others
have fallen, and So may we. The Christian's security against Sin
is distrust of himself. God has not promised to keep us from
falling, if we do not look to ourselves. To this Word of
caution, a Word of comfort is added. Others have the like
burdens, and the like temptations: what they Bear up under, and
break through, we may also. God is Wise as Well as Faithful, and
will make our burdens according to our strength. He knows what
we can Bear. He will make a way to escape; he will deliver
either from the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. We
have full encouragement to flee from Sin, and to be Faithful to
God. We cannot fall By Temptation, if we cleave Fast to him.
Whether the world smiles or frowns, it is an enemy; but
believers shall be strengthened to overcome it, with all its
terrors and enticements. The fear of the Lord, Put into their
hearts, will be the great means of safety.

15-22 Did not the joining in the Lord's Supper show a
profession of Faith in Christ crucified, and of adoring
gratitude to him for his Salvation ? Christians, By this
ordinance, and the Faith therein professed, were united as the
grains of Wheat in one loaf of Bread, or as the members in the
human body, seeing they were all united to Christ, and had
Fellowship with him and one another. This is confirmed from the
Jewish Worship and customs in Sacrifice. The Apostle applies
this to feasting with idolaters. Eating Food as part of a
Heathen Sacrifice, was worshipping the Idol to whom it was made,
and having Fellowship or Communion with it; just as he who eats
the Lord's Supper, is accounted to partake in the Christian
Sacrifice, or as they who ate the Jewish sacrifices partook of
what was offered On their Altar. It was denying Christianity;
for Communion with Christ, and Communion with devils, could
never be had at once. If Christians venture into places, and
join in sacrifices to the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the
Eye, and the pride of Life, they will provoke God.

23-33 There were cases wherein Christians might eat what had
been offered to idols, without Sin. Such as when the Flesh was
sold in the market as common Food, for the Priest to whom it had
been given. But a Christian must not merely consider what is
lawful, but what is expedient, and to edify others. Christianity
By No means forbids the common offices of kindness, or allows
uncourteous behaviour to any, however they may differ from us in
religious sentiments or practices. But this is not to be
understood of Religious Festivals, partaking in idolatrous
Worship. According to this advice of the Apostle, Christians
should take care not to use their liberty to the hurt of others,
or to their own reproach. In Eating and drinking, and in all we
do, we should aim at the Glory of God, at pleasing and honouring
him. This is the great End of all religion, and directs us where
express rules are wanting. A holy, peaceable, and benevolent
Spirit, will disarm the greatest enemies.

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