I Corinthians Study I Corinthians 10:1-33 A Review of Israel’s Past History

Having dealt with the subjects of Christian Liberty with Regard to Eating Meat (Chapter 8) and Paul’s Defense of His Apostleship (Chapter 9), we come now to Paul’s discussion of Israel’s past history (Chapter 10).  Beginning in verse 1, Paul cites that the Israelites (“Our fathers”) experienced being emancipated from Egyptian bondage and crossed the Red Sea.

These Israelites were privileged to be identified with Moses and were supernaturally guided and provided for in the wilderness; however, many of them were judged severely by God (vv. 2-5).  The same privileged Israelites began to lust after evil things and idolatry was practiced among them (vv. 6-7).  Paul points out some of the horrendous sins of the Israelites (vv. 8-10); yet God had to judge their sins even though they had been wonderfully delivered from Egypt!

Spiritual privileges never give us the privilege to sin!  Rather, they lay upon us the greater responsibility to obey God and glorify Him.  Paul states that believers should learn a lesson from the Israelites, for our Christian liberty should never be a license to sin (vv. 11-12).  We must be conscience of the fact that we can stumble and fall along the way in our Christian sojourn.  As Christians we will experience being tempted, but God is faithful, and He will provide a way of escape (v. 13).

Paul admonishes the Corinthians to flee idolatry.  As sensible people the Corinthians should flee idolatry.  The idol may be nothing.  Although the idol is nothing, behind the idol is demonism.   The Lord’s Supper and feasts for idols do not mix (vv. 14-22).

In verse 23, Paul will repeat a principle laid down in Chapter 8: do nothing that would weaken your brother’s conscience or cause him to stumble (I Corinthians 8:8-9).  We are free and all things are lawful; but not everything builds up (edifies).  Our freedom as believers should be used for the benefit of others (v. 24).  Paul went on to state that meat is irrelevant and can be eaten with a clear conscience (vv. 25-27).  But if for instance an unbeliever announces the meat was offered to an idol, it should not be eaten for that person’s sake (vv. 28-30).

Paul lays down a wonderful principle that should be applied to each believer’s life: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (v. 31).  In verse 32, Paul mentions the entire human family.  We are not to offend either the Jews, Gentiles or the church of God.  As Christians we should live to win souls (v. 33).

May God Bless!