1 Corinthians 10:1
The negative example of Israel:
We’ll
begin by saying that Ancient Israel’s 40 year journey between Egypt and Canaan
is a sobering illustration of the misuse of freedom and the dangers of overconfidence.
The Israelites misused their new found freedom; fell into idolatry, immorality
and rebelliousness, disqualifying themselves from receiving the Lord’s
blessing.
So that the Corinthians might not think God’s
discipline would be an unlikely eventuality for a people so blessed as they (1Co_1:5), Paul cited the illustration of another
group of people who were greatly blessed by God but yet experienced His severe
discipline. Israel of old was reckless and unrestrained after her physical and
spiritual freedom from tyranny in Egypt. As a result God meted out severe
discipline by cutting short the lives of many Israelites. They were all in the
“race” (1Co_9:24), but almost all were
disqualified (1Co_9:27) in spite of
their advantages.
Five advantages were enjoyed by Israel. First, all
the liberated Israelites enjoyed the supernatural guidance (Exo_13:21) and protection (Exo_14:19-20) of the pillar of cloud in
their Exodus from Egypt. The Corinthians had similarly experienced God’s
guidance (cf. Luk_1:79) and protection
(cf. 1Pe_1:5). Second, all
Israelites passed through the sea and experienced a miraculous
deliverance from those who sought to take their lives (Exo_14:21-28). “Moreover … ignorant” This transition leads from the lack
of self discipline and subsequent disqualification spoken of in the preceding
chapter 9:27 to an illustration of it in ancient Israel.
“All
our fathers” meaning Paul is referring to ancient Israel, of whom he was a
descendant. In particular, he asked his readers to remember what had happened
to Israel in the wilderness, because of freedom without self control.
“Under
the cloud”: Guided by God’s presence as a cloud by day and a column of fire at
night (See Exodus 13:21).
“Through
the sea” meaning the Red sea which opened for Israel to pass through and closed
to drown the Egyptian army.
So too had the Corinthians
experienced a miraculous deliverance — salvation (cf. Heb_2:14-15; Gal_1:4).
1 Corinthians 10:2
Third, the Israelites were
all baptized into Moses, that is, united with their spiritual head, God’s
servant, who became the object of their trust (Exo_14:31;
cf. Joh_5:45). The Corinthians had been
baptized into the body of Christ (1Co_12:13)
of which He is the Head (Eph_1:22) and
in whom they trusted (Mat_12:21; Eph_1:12).
1 Corinthians 10:3-4
As a fourth privilege, the Israelites all
enjoyed spiritual food, the supernatural bread from heaven (Exo_16:4, Exo_16:15).
The Corinthians too had eaten bread from heaven (cf. Joh_6:31-34). As a fifth advantage, Paul listed the spiritual
drink enjoyed by Israel in the desert (Exo_17:6).
According to Paul, Christ was the source of this supernatural water.
Since the incident of the rock which produced water marked the beginning of
Israel’s wilderness wanderings (Exo_17:1-7)
and happened again near the ending of their wanderings (Num_20:1-13), Paul concluded that Christ accompanied
them. Paul does not
intend to imply that the manna was not literal food. It was clearly designed
for ordinary nourishment. It was spiritual in the sense that it was
supernaturally provided by the Spirit of God. Likewise, the water that was
received from the rock was real water. It was spiritual in the sense that it
was given through God’s direct intervention.
“That
Rock was Christ”: The Rock was not a theophany (a visible revelation of God).
Rather, it was a “type” of Christ. It prefigured the provision that Christ
would ultimately make for His people. But also it is intended to mean that the
source of supply was Christ and not the rock. This passage is an impressive
affirmation of the preexistence of Jesus Christ.
The
Jews had a legend that the actual rock Moses struck followed them throughout
their wilderness wanderings, providing water for them. Paul says that have a Rock
providing all they need, but it is Christ. Rock (petra) refers to a massive
cliff, not simply a large stone or boulder, signifying the pre-incarnate
Messiah (Christ) who protected and sustained His people.
Christ too was the source of supernatural water
for the Corinthians (cf. Joh_4:10-14).
It is possible that these five
blessings were intended by Paul to reflect the two ordinances of baptism (1Co_10:1-2) and the Lord’s Supper (1Co_10:3-4) which the Corinthians may have
thought communicated a magical protection like similar rites in some of the
mystery religions. The Corinthians did seem to have a distorted view and
practice of both of these ordinances (cf. 1Co_11:17-34;
1Co_15:29) which required correction.
1 Corinthians 10:5
The presence of supernatural
privileges in the lives of Old Testament Israelites did not produce automatic
success. On the contrary, in spite of their special advantages, most of them
(in fact, all but two members of one generation, Joshua and Caleb) experienced
God’s discipline, were disqualified, and died in the desert (Num_14:29). In light of this, Paul’s avowed need
for personal self-discipline (1Co_9:27)
was genuine since even Moses was disqualified for the prize (Num_20:12).
1 Corinthians 10:6
Since this was so, the Corinthians’ complacency
in matters of self-discipline and their corresponding penchant for
self-indulgence required immediate remedial action. Christian freedom was not
meant to lead to self-indulgence but to selfless service (cf. Gal_5:13), as the behavior of past Israelites
illustrated.
Paralleling the fivefold blessings enjoyed by
Israel in their new found freedom from Egypt, Paul proceeded to recount a
fivefold failure experienced by Israel during this time. He began with the
Israelites’ craving for the pleasures of Egypt, summarized in their plaintive
cry, “Give us meat to eat!” (Num_11:4-34,
esp. Num_11:13) God gave them what they
wanted but while the meat was still between their teeth, He struck them with a
plague. The Israelites named the cemetery for those who were killed “Kibroth
Hattaavah” (“graves of craving”; Num_11:34).
The application to the Corinthian situation was obvious (cf. 1Co_8:13). We
can learn from their mistakes, if we will. They murmured against God over and
over. It seemed they were never satisfied.
They
died in the wilderness because of their failure of self discipline and
consequent indulgence of every desire. Four major signs characterized them; (1)
Idolatry, v.7; (2) sexual immorality, v.8; (3) testing God, v.9; (4) and
complaining, v.10.
1 Corinthians 10:7
Second, many in Israel failed by participating in
idolatry (Exo_32:1-6) and paid for it
with their lives (Exo_32:28, Exo_32:35). Apparently some Corinthian was. Interested
in more than meat in the pagan temples (1Co_8:10;
1Co_10:14). For those who thought they
as Christians could take part in idolatry with impunity, Paul intended, with
illustrations like this, to knock out the false props which supported their
behavior (1Co_10:12) before God
intervened and took their lives. The
Israelites were barely out of Egypt when they fell into idol worship. Exodus 32
records the story.
This
is speaking of the time when Moses had gone to meet with God and get the tables
of the Ten Commandments. They really had no excuse, because God had spoken to
them from the mountain and given them orally the Ten Commandments, even before
Moses went to get them on the tables of stone. They believed something had
happened to Moses, and they had Aaron to form them a golden calf to worship.
The problem with these people, and with those caught up in false worship today,
is that they wanted a god they could see with their physical eyes to worship.
God is Spirit. If you can see something with your physical eye, it is part of
God's creation. It is not God.
1 Corinthians 10:8
A third failure among the privileged Israelites
was in the area of sexual immorality. In the Israelites’ case the
immorality was associated with idolatry (Num_25:1-2),
which also characterized much pagan worship in the first century. But the
Corinthians indulged in immorality in contexts other than idolatry, as the
instances of rebuke in 1Co_5:1 and 1Co_6:18 illustrate. As God had brought death to
the immoral among the Israelites (Num_25:4-9),
He could do in Corinth (e.g., 1Co_5:5),
a sobering thought for the libertines who said, “Everything is permissible” (1Co_6:12; 1Co_10:23).
A possible solution to the apparent discrepancy
in the death count found in Num_25:9
(24,000) and Paul’s figure of 23,000 may reside in the phrase one
day. Moses and most of Israel were mourning the death of those who had been
executed by the judges (Num_25:5) or
killed by an ongoing plague. Meanwhile Phineas was dispatching an Israelite man
and Moabite woman in their last act of immorality (Num_25:6-8),
which brought to completion God’s discipline of the immoral Israelites and
ended the death toll by plague at 24,000, a number probably intended as a
summary figure.
Another explanation of the 24,000 in Numbers
(contra Paul’s 23,000) is that the former included the leaders (cf. Num_25:4), whereas the latter did not. Exodus 32 records the story of some 3,000
who were executed by the Levites for instigating an immoral orgy at Sinai.
There was a plague the next day in Exodus 32:35 and the additional 20,000 could
have died in that plague. I couldn’t find an exact reference to the timing here
so it could mean within a 24 hour period (one day) which could cover two
different consecutive days, 12 in one
and 12 in the other!
1 Corinthians 10:9
The Israelites’ fourth failure was the presuming
of some to question the plan and purpose of God on their trek to Canaan. As a
result they were killed by snakes (Num_21:4-6).
Did the Corinthian think that they knew better than God the path that would
bring them to heaven? (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18-3:20) We can read of this in the 21st chapter of numbers which
records the story of the people questioning the goodness and plan of the One
carrying them through the wilderness, the Protector and Provider, the spiritual
Rock, Christ pre-incarnate.
I
will give just one Scripture here that shows the Lord sent serpents when they
spoke against God and Moses.
Numbers
21:6: "And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the
people; and much people of Israel died."
"Tempt",
in verse 9, above means to test thoroughly. They had questioned God over and
over. It is very dangerous to test God, as they found out.
1 Corinthians 10:10
Israel’s fifth failure, which God disciplined
with death, occurred when they spoke rebelliously against God’s appointed
leaders, Moses and Aaron (Num_16:41-49).
Was Paul facing a similar situation as an outgrowth of the Corinthians’ party
spirit? (cf. 1Co_1:11; 1Co_4:18-19) It is possible that each of these
failures found expression in the Corinthian issue of eating food sacrificed to
idols. Murmuring was very
displeasing to God. Paul had said that he had learned to be content in whatever
condition he was in at the moment. Possibly, this was added, because they had
sent a letter speaking negative things about Paul. You remember that this
letter is in answer to problems they were complaining about.
“Destroyer”:
This incident is recorded in Number 16:3-41 and has to do with the report of
the spies. The same angel had slain the firstborn of the Egyptians (Exodus
12:23), and the 70,000 men because of David’s census (2 Sam. 24:15-16), and
again to the entire Assyrian army that was besieging Jerusalem (2 Chron.
32:21).
1 Corinthians 10:11
God’s dealings with Israel were more than a
matter of historical curiosity for Paul. They were examples (cf. 1Co_10:6) and warnings for the
Corinthians that the God with whom they had to deal, who was bringing His
interaction with people to a close in this fulfillment of the ages, was
the same God who disciplined the Israelites with death and would do so again
(cf. 1Co_11:30). Paul is telling them to study the Word of
God and learn from the mistakes of others. Do not be so stiff-necked, that they
had to learn the hard way. The end of the world is a statement that actually
means the end of the ages or the last days of redemptive history before the
messianic kingdom. Paul felt that the return of the Lord was near.
1 Corinthians 10:12
If the Corinthians believed their standing
in Christ and corresponding freedom could be exercised in sin with impunity,
they were wrong, possibly dead wrong. This
is just saying; don't be so proud that you cannot learn. Learn from others
mistakes, so you will not make the same mistake yourself. Paul is saying, be
ever conscious of yourself. Examine your own self, so the Lord will not have
to. Remember that prides goes before the fall!
1 Corinthians 10:13
After kicking out the props of false security,
Paul pointed toward the One on whom the Corinthians could rely. The temptations
that seized the Corinthians were like those people had always faced.
They could be met and endured by depending on God, who is faithful.
Part of the Corinthian problem, of course, was that some in the face of
temptation were not looking for a way out by endurance, but a way in for
indulgence. To try and
explain this scripture, I’m going to start by quoting James 1:13-15, then
explain those scriptures in detail.
Verse
13: "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God
cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:" The same Greek
word that is translated “trails” is also translated “temptation” here. James’
point is that every difficult circumstance that enters a believer’s life can
either strengthen him if he obeys God and remains confident in His care, or
become a solicitation to evil if the believer chooses instead to doubt God and
disobey His Word. God cannot be tempted. God by His holy nature has no capacity
for evil, or vulnerability to it. Nor does He Himself tempt anyone. God
purposes trails to occur and in them He allows temptation to happen, but He has
promised not to allow more than believers can endure and never without a way to
escape. They must choose whether to take the escape God provides or to give in.
Verse
14: "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and
enticed." “Drawn sway”: This Greek word was used to describe wild game
being lured into traps. Just as animals can be drawn to their deaths by
attractive baits, temptation promises people something good, which is actually
harmful. “His own lust” refers to the strong desire of the human soul to enjoy
or acquire something to fulfill the flesh. Man’s fallen nature has the
propensity to strongly desire whatever sin will satisfy it. “His own” desires
the individual nature of lust – it is different for each person as a result of
inherited tendencies, environment, upbringing and personal choices. The Greek
grammar also indicates that these “desires” are the direct agent or cause on
one’s sinning. “Enticed” is a fishing term that means “to capture” or “to catch
with bait”. It is a parallel to “drawn away.”
Verse
15: "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when
it is finished, bringeth forth death." Sin is not merely a spontaneous
act, but the result of a process. The Greek words for “has conceived” and “brings
forth” liken the process to physical conception and birth. Thus James
personifies temptation and shows that it can follow a similar sequence and
produce sin with all its deadly results. While sin does not result in spiritual
death for the believer, it can lead to physical death.
Those
who turn to the Holy Spirit when going through various temptations will be
given the power to resist Satan’s deceit. But, there can be no doubt as to
following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Believers must learn to trust God’s
leading in all things without fear or doubt so that our faith is strengthened.
That’s the reason God allows us to go through various trials and tribulations
Another
excellent scripture for those suffering from an unexpected loss and begins to
question God as to why appears in 2 Cor. 1 verses 3-4: "Blessed [be] God,
even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of
all comfort;" "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may
be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we
ourselves are comforted of God."
In
other words when someone is going through such heartbreaking trials such as the
loss of a loved one, those who have been through those same trails may be used
of God to bring comfort to those who are suffering. And I might add that we
won’t always understand why some things happen, but we should never doubt that
God is with us and is mourning with us as we go through those times.
1
Corinthians 10:14-15
The therefore (dioper) introduced Paul’s application of Christian
freedom to eating food sacrificed to idols. He gave advice in three areas: (a)
meat in the pagan temple (1Co_10:14-22;
cf. 1Co_8:10); (b) meat in the
marketplace (1Co_10:25-26); (c) meat in
the home (1Co_10:27-30). His advice on
the first count was uncomplicated flee from idolatry (cf. 1Co_6:18, “flee from sexual immorality”). “Wherefore” In Greek means dioper or a
strengthened form of dio. Literally means “for this very reason.
This
is probably some of the best advice Paul could give in this city where idolatry
was everywhere. Paul says, run the other way from idolatry. This is very good
advice for us today, too.
He
believed that the rhetorical questions which followed would lead sensible
people like the Corinthians (cf. 1Co_4:10)
to agree. Paul reminds them
here, that they were wise enough to line up with those who know Jesus Christ as
their Savior and Lord. He expresses strongly that they must take heed to his
teachings, if they are to remain in good standing with the Lord. Think this out
carefully, before you do any of these worldly things.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Paul’s point in these verses about the Lord’s
Supper was like that made earlier (1Co_5:6-8).
The collective worship of Christians at the Lord’s Supper expressed the unity
among the members and their participation (koinōnia, “fellowship”) in the blood of Christ and
in the body of Christ. “The
cup of blessing” is the proper name given to the third cup during the Passover
Feast. At the last Passover with the disciples, Jesus used the third cup as the
symbol of His bloodshed for sin. That cup became the one used to institute the
Lord’s Supper. He set the cup apart as a token of salvation blessing before
passing it to the 12.
“Communion”:
Means “to have in common, to participate and have partnership with.”
Commemorating the Lord’s Supper was a regular and cherished practice in the
early church, by which believers remembered their Savior’s death and celebrated
their common salvation and eternal life which reflected their perfect spiritual
oneness.
“The
blood of Christ” is a vivid phrase used to represent Christ’s sacrificial death
and full atoning work.
“The
bread” symbolizes our Lord’s body as the cup symbolized His blood. Both point
to His death as a sacrifice for the salvation of men.
John
6:54-56 "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life;
and I will raise him up at the last day." "For my flesh is meat
indeed, and my blood is drink indeed." "He that eateth my flesh, and
drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him."
We
are actually in Jesus and He is in us, when we take communion remembering what
He did for us. He has brought us life. He is life, and when we partake of Him, we
have partaken of life. He is our life.
The
one loaf of bread, of which all partake, pictured their unity as
members of the one body of Christ. When
we partake of the body of Jesus, we become part of His body. We are one with
Jesus, and He is one with the Father. John 10:30 "I and [my] Father are
one." God is Spirit and we are spirit, as well, if we receive the Lord.
Our spirit and the Spirit of the Lord become one.
When
we studied chapter 6 v.17 we discussed sins of the body as the scripture
states: “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit”. Illicit
relationships by believers are especially reprehensible because they profane
Jesus Christ with who believers are one. We further stated that this argument
should make such sin unthinkable, as should all deliberate sin.
Romans
12:5 "So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ and everyone members one
of another."
1
Corinthians 12:12 "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all
the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is]
Christ."
1
Corinthians 12:27 "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in
particular."