One Corinthians Ten

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

1 Corinthians 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;

all our fathers. Although many of the Corinthian Christians were Gentiles, the Jewish patriarchs were their “fathers” in a spiritual sense, and the Old Testament record is as profitable for Gentiles now as for Jews.

under the cloud. The “cloud” was the shekinah glory cloud that both guided and protected the Israelites in their exodus from Egypt, while the “sea” was the Red Sea which God miraculously opened for them (Exodus 13:21; 14:29).

1 Corinthians 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

baptized. “Baptized” is simply a transliteration of the Greek baptizo, which means literally “inundated” or “immersed.” Both the cloud and the sea surrounded them, just as the baptismal waters surround a new Christian being “baptized.”

1 Corinthians 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

1 Corinthians 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.

Rock that followed them. On the typological significance of the water-giving Rock, see notes on Exodus 17:5-6 and notes on Numbers 20:7-12. The water they drank was literal water. The Rock that “followed” them, however, was not a literal rock, but the Spirit of Christ Himself. “He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers” (Psalm 78:16). Evidently, when Moses smote the rock, it opened a great spring which became a continually flowing river, along which the children of Israel marched and camped in the wilderness for forty years. It is also worth noting that the Greek word used here for “Rock” is petra, and that this is the same word that Jesus used when he said that “upon this Rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Christ (not Peter) is the foundation rock upon which the true church is built (1 Corinthians 3:11), and He is also the “living water,” the “well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:10, 14).

1 Corinthians 10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

examples. The word “examples” is the Greek tupos, from which we get “types.” Thus the experiences of the Israelites were actually designed by God as “types” of Christ and of our relation to Him. See also 1 Corinthians 10:11.

1 Corinthians 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.

written. See Exodus 32:6. The people worshiped a golden calf which they themselves had made, thinking that it was their “god.” Such is the foolishness (Romans 1:22) of anyone who tries to believe a “creature” was the Creator (Romans 1:25).

1 Corinthians 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

three and twenty thousand. This was the number that died “in one day.” Numbers 25:9 indicates that the total number that died “in the plague” was twenty-four thousand. Evidently an additional thousand died either before or after that particular day. Both figures are probably round numbers.

1 Corinthians 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

1 Corinthians 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

1 Corinthians 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.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

1 Corinthians 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.

1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

1 Corinthians 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?

1 Corinthians 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

1 Corinthians 10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

1 Corinthians 10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

1 Corinthians 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

devils. Even though the physical images worshiped by idolaters are nothing but vanity, they do represent a dangerous reality, for “demons” actually lurk in and around such idols. These demonic spirits are able in certain limited ways to cause temporal blessings or troubles to visit their adherents, thereby impressing them with the validity of their false religion, and binding them ever more securely in their grasp.

1 Corinthians 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

1 Corinthians 10:22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

1 Corinthians 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.

edify not. Here is another principle for testing whether a practice not specifically mentioned in Scripture is right or wrong. Does it “edify” or “build up” another person? See also Romans 14:21, 23; 1 Corinthians 6:12, 19-20.

1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

1 Corinthians 10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

1 Corinthians 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

1 Corinthians 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.

1 Corinthians 10:28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

1 Corinthians 10:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

1 Corinthians 10:30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

glory of God. See note on 1 Corinthians 10:23.

1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

church of God. The “church” can be neither Jewish nor Gentile, for in Christ, “there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision” (Colossians 3:11; also note Ephesians 2:11 and Galatians 6:15).

1 Corinthians 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.