1 Corinthians 10

Warnings from Israel's Past

1 Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.

5 But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.
6 Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire evil things as they did. 7 Don't become idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play. 8 Let us not commit sexual immorality as some of them did, and in a single day 23,000 people fell dead. 9 Let us not test Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by snakes. 10 Nor should we complain as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.

Warning against Idolatry

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I am speaking as to wise people. Judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we give thanks for, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for all of us share that one bread. 18 Look at the people of Israel. Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in [what is offered on] the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I do say that what they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to participate with demons! 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord's table and the table of demons.

22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

Christian Liberty

23 "Everything is permissible," but not everything is helpful. "Everything is permissible," but not everything builds up.

24 No one should seek his own [good], but [the good] of the other person.
25 Eat everything that is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake, 26 for the earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it. 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you over and you want to go, eat everything that is set before you, without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, "This is food offered to an idol," do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who told you, and for conscience' sake. 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person's. For why is my freedom judged by another person's conscience?

30 If I partake with thanks, why am I slandered because of something I give thanks for?
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory. 32 Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, so that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10

1 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;3 and did all eat the same spiritual food;4 and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.5 Howbeit with most 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.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.8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents.10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer.11 Now 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.12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.13 There 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.14 Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.16 The 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?17 seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we are all partake of the one bread.18 Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?19 What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?20 But 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.21 Ye 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.22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?23 All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify.24 Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor’s good.25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake,26 for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.27 If 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.28 But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake:29 conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other’s; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.32 Give no occasions of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:33 even 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.