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| Chapter 10 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, I would not have ye ignorant of how all of our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 And all ate the same spiritual meat, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 ¶ Now these things were our examples, to the intent that 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 three and twenty thousand fell in one day. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted--and were destroyed by serpents. 10 Neither should ye murmur, as some of them also murmured--and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them by way of example, and are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken hold of you but such as is common to man. But God is faithful; He will not suffer you to be tempted beyond that which ye are able to bear, but with the temptation will also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14 Therefore, my dearly 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 the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break: is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, being many, are one bread and one body, for we are all partakers of that one Bread. 18 Behold Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What say I then? That the idol is anything, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything? 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. 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. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? 23 ¶ All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify. 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wellbeing. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the meat market, that eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake; 26 for, "The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof." 27 If any of those who do not believe bid 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 is offered in sacrifice unto idols," then eat it not for his sake who showed it, and for conscience’ sake; for, "The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof." 29 I do not mean thine own conscience, but the other’s. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why is evil spoken of me 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 offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God, 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. |
Verse 31 is a key verse in this chapter "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Paul reminds the Corinthian church, and us also, that being strong in the faith can lead to being overconfident and not be able to resist temptations. Note v12 Going back to the Old Testament Paul points out that their ancestors (fathers) all saw the power of God, experienced His delivery from Egypt, just like a Christian has been delivered from sin by the blood of Christ, but these experiences did not stop them from falling into wrong ways (sin). v4 "Spiritual Rock," not a real rock. Israel’s needs supplied by God. v5-12 More warnings Paul has to point out that the Corinthian church was as guilty as the Jews coming out of Egypt, they were guilty of immorality (did not do what was right, were wicked), Idolatry, not happy with God,(murmuring, and tempting God with their actions. This kind of behaviour God has to deal with, some of the Jewish rebels were destroyed by God and those who remained were not allowed into the Promised Land, (except Joshua and Caleb). Paul was showing that to sin against the Law was one thing but to sin against God’s grace is a very different matter. Sin in the church today is very serious. v13-22 There is a way out. And more warnings v13 God allows us to be tempted to help us grow in faith but He will never allow it to be put through more than we can deal with. v14 Flee, runaway from Idolatry. The idol is nothing, man made, but Satan can use this to lead the Christian into wrong, to sin. To "sit" at an idol’s feast table could mean that your fellow worshipers could be demons. v20. We cannot take part in worshiping and remembering the Lord in the communion and take part with devils .v21 When a believer, takes in remembrance, the cup and bread at the Lord’s table, he / she is having fellowship, is in communion, with the Blood and Body of Christ. You cannot worship two masters!!! Do not make God jealousy, do not tempt God by playing with wrong things, thinking you are so strong against the power of Satan 22 He has already paid for you through His Son. v23-33 Our freedom has responsibilities v23,24 Paul tells them that everything God has made is lawful, but it is not always correct to do some things, some actions can hurt others or cause someone to stumble. v24 It is our responsibility to help others grow in Christ. Phil 2:1-4. We may have freedom in Christ but we do not have the right to harm others by our actions. Paul has given warnings about going to the temples, in v25-28 Paul gives warnings and advice on going to a non believers house for a meal. He tells them not to ask where the food came from. All food comes from God originally v26,Ps 24:1 and all food is permitted, Acts 10:9-16; Mark 7:14-23; 1 Tim 4:3-5. However there could be a problem if a "weaker" brother is also there and he /she knows that the food has been offered to idols and informs the "stronger" Christian, then the stronger saint must not eat the food as he could make the weaker stumble in their faith. You may ask,"Why should I not be able to eat what I like just because someone does not understand Bible truth?" v31 is the answer, it is our responsibility to do everything so as to give God the glory. We cannot give God the glory if our action can "injure" another Christian. v32-33 There is an another reason to take care in your action, we are also responsible to help others find salvation, we must not make it hard for someone to find Christ. As a Christian we do have freedom but this comes with knowledge of the truth. A strong Christian not only has knowledge and understanding which gives freedom but freedom involves responsibility to use the freedom to God’s glory. |
Easy English Translation
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