1 Corinthians 10

Warnings from Israel’s Past

1 Brothers and sisters, I want you to know what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses. They were all under the cloud and all went through the sea.2 They were all baptized as followers of Moses in the cloud and in the sea.3 They all ate the same spiritual food,4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from that spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.

5 But God was not pleased with most of them, so they died in the desert.
6 And these things happened as examples for us, to stop us from wanting evil things as those people did.7 Do not worship idols, as some of them did. Just as it is written in the Scriptures: “They sat down to eat and drink, and then they got up and sinned sexually.” 8 We must not take part in sexual sins, as some of them did. In one day twenty-three thousand of them died because of their sins.9 We must not test Christ as some of them did; they were killed by snakes.

10 Do not complain as some of them did; they were killed by the angel that destroys.
11 The things that happened to those people are examples. They were written down to teach us, because we live in a time when all these things of the past have reached their goal.12 If you think you are strong, you should be careful not to fall.

13 The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it.
14 So, my dear friends, run away from the worship of idols.15 I am speaking to you as to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say.16 We give thanks for the cup of blessing, 

17 Because there is one loaf of bread, we who are many are one body, because we all share that one loaf.
18 Think about the Israelites: Do not those who eat the sacrifices share in the altar?19 I do not mean that the food sacrificed to an idol is important. I do not mean that an idol is anything at all.20 But I say that what is sacrificed to idols is offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to share anything with demons.21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons also. You cannot share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons.

22 Are we trying to make the Lord jealous? We are not stronger than he is, are we?

How to Use Christian Freedom

23 “We are allowed to do all things,” but not all things are good for us to do. “We are allowed to do all things,” but not all things help others grow stronger.

24 Do not look out only for yourselves. Look out for the good of others also.
25 Eat any meat that is sold in the meat market. Do not ask questions about it.26 You may eat it, “because the earth belongs to the Lord, and everything in it.” 27 Those who are not believers may invite you to eat with them. If you want to go, eat anything that is put before you. Do not ask questions about it.28 But if anyone says to you, “That food was offered to idols,” do not eat it. Do not eat it because of that person who told you and because eating it might be thought to be wrong.29 I don’t mean you think it is wrong, but the other person might. But why, you ask, should my freedom be judged by someone else’s conscience?

30 If I eat the meal with thankfulness, why am I criticized because of something for which I thank God?
31 The answer is, if you eat or drink, or if you do anything, do it all for the glory of God.32 Never do anything that might hurt others—Jews, Greeks, or God’s church—33 just as I, also, try to please everybody in every way. I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so they can 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.