1 Corinthians 10

A History Lesson from Israel

1 For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all went through the sea,2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,3 and all ate the same spiritual food,4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.

5 But God was not pleased with the majority of them, for they were struck down in the desert.
6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we should not be desirers of evil things, just as those also desired them,7 and not become idolaters, as some of them did, just as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play,”t8 nor commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed sexual immorality, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day,9 nor put Christ to the test, as some of them tested him, and were destroyed by snakes,10 nor grumble, just as some of them grumbled, and were destroyed by the destroyer.11 Now these things happened to those people as an example, but are written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.12 Therefore, the one who thinks that he stands must watch out lest he fall.

13 Temptation has not come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also make a way out together with the temptation, so that you may be able to endure it.

Warning Against Idolatry

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.15 I am speaking as to sensible people; you judge what I am saying.16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all share from the one bread.18 Consider Israel according to the flesh: are not the ones who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar?19 Therefore, what am I saying? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?20 No, but that the things which they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to become sharers with demons.21 You are not able to drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You are not able to share the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

22 Or are we attempting to provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than he is, are we?

Freedom in Christ

23 All things are permitted, but not all things are profitable. All things are permitted, but not all things build up.24 Let no one seek his own goodt but the good of the other.25 Eat everything that is sold in the meat market, asking no questionst for the sake of the conscience,26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness.”t27 If any of the unbelievers invites you, and you want to go, eat everything that is set before you, asking no questionst for the sake of the conscience.28 But if someone says to you, “This is offered to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of that one who informed you and the conscience.29 Now I am not speaking about your own conscience, but the conscience of the other person. For why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience?

30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?
31 Therefore, whether you eat or you drink or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.32 Give no offenset both to Jews and to Greeks and to the church of God,

33 just as I also please all people in all things, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of the many, in order 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.