1st Corinthians Chapter 10 - Warnings and Liberties

 

1st Corinthians 10

Warnings'

And

Liberties

Introduction

Paul divides this chapter into three main sections: (1) warning from Israel’s past, (2) warning against idolatry, and (3) Christian liberty. Paul points to Israel’s past mistakes as guidance to the church. Winston Churchill adapted a quote from George Santayana by exchanging the word remember with words learn from the original quote "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Idolatry was a lure existing in the Corinth culture, which was to be avoided at all cost.  

Paul concludes this chapter with a warning not to take the freedom to eat that which was available to them in the market without undue concern. However, 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. (1Co 10:31 CSB)

1Cor10: 1-13
Warning from the Past

The writer reminds the brothers and sisters of several events. Metaphorical language is used extensively in verses 1-13.

•      Metaphorical words/phrases (what do they mean):

•      Under a cloud

•      Baptized in the cloud and sea

•      Spiritual food

•      Spiritual Rock

•      God not pleased

•      Test Christ

•      Temptation

•      Idolatry

•      Another word bearing a closer look is “party CSB or play in other translations.

 

These observations will need further research to understand what is meant by the writer. If you recall, this is called interpretation.

Other areas we should look at during our interpretation of Scripture which also used in our observation are: Context, mood, purpose, same, similar, different, structure, reference, focus, literal, metaphor, poetic, Chiasm, History, and culture.

•      The following: same, similar, different, structure, reference, focus poetic, chiasm, are principles used to draw the attention of the reader to a word or phrase.

•      The following: The context, mood, purpose, History, and culture are backgrounds needed for a fuller understanding of the text.

•      Looking at V1,2 we see the article, “the”, in front of the word cloud, indicating a particular cloud.

•      I searched the word cloud to find Scriptural application. Context will tell us which application best matches with V1,2.

•      The word cloud, as used in this chapters context, refers to the physical manifestation of God’s presence.

•      Israel saw this type of God’s manifestation, while in the desert. The cloud preceded the Jewish nation in their exodus.  Exo 13:21,22, Exo 1:19,20,24  

 

The next phrase is found in V1b “all passed through the sea” this phrase seems to be straight forward.

 

•      Using the same technique used before let’s do a  search (Num 33:8 and Exo 14:20.

•      V2 refers to baptized in an unusual way “into Moses in the cloud and the sea”.

•      The Greek word  baptize G907  is used as a verb. The meaning of baptize is to dip in this case to pass through the water, under the leadership of Moses as led by the

•      cloud.

•      The spiritual food and drink in V3,4 is explained in V4b.

•      The drink came from the metaphorical Rock (Christ)

•      The Rock or Christ followed the Israelites.

•      The spiritual g4152: pneumatikos refers to of divine origin Exo 16:4.

   

•      This must be the food which fell daily from heaven they called manna Exo 16:31CSB.

•      The Hebrew lexicon defines manna as:

As we investigate those areas we noted in our initial observation, we will see these words and phrases perhaps not observed initially.

•      Paul referred to Old Testament events, using them as a negative example of what not to do.

•      Why was God not pleased with Israel V5?

•      references were found using BLB (https://www.BlueLetterBible.org) cross-referencing feature:

•      Num 14:11,12, 28-35; Num 26:64,65; Deu 1:34,35; Deu 2:15,16; Psa 78:32-34; Psa 90, *title; Psa 90:7,8; Psa 95:11; Psa 106:26; Heb 3:17; Jde 1:5.

•      Adamic nature turns men towards evil desires. This verse was to convince the reader not to follow those desires as Israel had.

Reading verse and 7,8 in the CSB, we see the word party. Most translations say “play”.

•      What does the writer mean by play?

•      Party was translated from the Greek word paizō G3815, meaning: dancing, giving way to hilarity, and mocking.

•      Hilarity or acting without inhibitions.

•      A condition usually occurring as a result of intoxication. See also Exo 32:6 definition for drink in Hebrew shathah/niphal H8354.

Verse eight gives us insight into the dangers of such actions,  shown as cause and effect in Israel’s past.

•      What was the root of the sin and what was the resulting effect?

•      Does a word search for party.

•      This word search leads us to Exo 32:6 CSB.

•      The punishment for Israel’s sin is in (Exo 32: 7-10 CSB)

•      As punishment 23,000 died in one day (V8)

•      When we give ourselves over to the lust of the flesh we must also expect the resulting damage or effect.

1Co 10:9 gives a strong warning not to test Christ (Jesus the anointed one).

•      Researching the word “test”

•      Begin by looking at several translations of this verse.

•      We note that the KJV uses the word “try” instead of to test.

•      Based on that translation, we see the word “try” was translated from the Greek word G1598 - ekpeirazō

•      Checking “Vines Biblical Dictionary”, we see the Greek word ekpeirazo is a verb.

•      The contextual meaning of the word ekpeirazo is it’s root peirazo G3985 meaning to test.

•      “Don’t complain as some of them did”

•      Who or what is the destroyer, who killed the complainers?

•      According the footnote found in the CSB version [fn], the destroyer was an angel.

•      Using the following cross-references found in BLB: Exo 12:23; 2Sa 24:16; 1Ch 21:15, we can see where and how the word destroyer is used elsewhere in Scripture.

•      The Key verse in this section is verse 13.

•      Paul assures his readers that God will not give you any unique temptation,

•      nor will He allow more temptation than you can bear.

•      Simply stated God knows your limits.

•      God will provide a way to escape those temptations beyond your ability to resist.

•      It is up to each individual to either take the escape route provided or succumb to the temptation.

•      Before proceeding to our application there are two things to check.

•      1. Have we answered, through interpretation, those words and phrases identified in our observations?

•      2. Is our interpretation in line with other theologian’s interpretations, if not why not?

 

 Your Application of 

Verses
1Cor 10:1-5

How have these verse changed or reaffirmed your relationship with:

God?

Example: Am I putting God to the test in my life?

Yourself?

Example: Am I allowing chemicals to alter my mind?

Others?

Satan?

1Cor 10:14-22
Warning Against Idolatry

Begin by highlighting or underlining key words or phrases you observe in this section.

•      Keywords: idolatry, altar, demons

•      Key phrases: “cup of blessing”, “The bread”, “one bread, one body”;

•      “eat the sacrifices participate in the altar” V. 18;

•      “they sacrifice to demons” V. 20;

•      “not want you to be participants with demons! V. 20”

•      Comparing elements of the last Passover meal and the cup offered to false gods Vv. 21,22.

•      “they sacrifice to demons”

Key verse(s):

•      21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord's table and the table of demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

It is essential that when interpreting to consider the section context.

The following is an example of what the markup of a section might look like.

 

SAMPLE MARKUP

[1Co 10:14-22 CSB] 14 So then, (my dear friends), flee from idolatry. 15 I am speaking as to sensible people. Judge for yourselves what I am saying. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a (sharing in the blood of Christ?) The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, since all of us share the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel. Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I do say that what they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons! 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord's table and the table of demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

 

Contextual knowns

•      We know that Paul is the author, and he is writing to the church in Corinth. 1Co 1:1, 2

•      We also know that he had received a report from Chloe’s people 1Co 1:11 of division within the church.

We know that in chapter 10, Paul is warning of falling prey to temptations  1Co 10:13

•      We observed in chapter 10, Paul using Israel as an example.

In this section of chapter 10, Paul calls for judging of oneself.

•      Paul compares idolatrous acts to partaking the elements of the last supper (Luk 22:19,20).

•      “The cup”

•      The wine is symbolic of the blood of Jesus

•      The new covenant sealed in the blood of Christ (Luk 22:20).

•      To drink of the Passover wine symbolically is drinking the blood of Jesus.

 

The cup and bread

•      At the last supper, Jesus took the unleavened bread asked blessing, broke the bread and gave it to the disciples (Luk 22:19). 

•      The bread was unleavened because leaven in Scripture is representative or a symbol of sin.

•      Blessing, then breaking the bread was symbolic of breaking the flesh of Jesus's body (no bones were broken).

•      Jesus handed the two halves to His disciples; one half to His right and one half to His left side.

•      This action was symbolic of his body freely, given that none should perish.

•      Thus Jesus was God's sacrificial Lamb whose blood was presented to the Father in heaven as a sin offering for all (Heb 9:11-28 ).

•      Therefore, when we share the bread and the cup, we also share in Christ's body and blood.

•      To knowingly share in the bread and wine offered to an idol was forbidden by Mosaic law (See also  Act 7:41; Act 15:29).

 Sharing in the meat offered to idols like with communion is sharing in the idol worship.

•      The Gentile nations offered animals and their children to their gods of stone, silver and gold.

•      sacrificing their sons and daughters to the sacrificial flames (Deu 12:31).

•      In today’s world children are sacrificed to the god of convenience.

•      Guilt by association

•      When a person knowing eats that which has been sacrificed to idols, he accepts also that idol just as the taking of communion after accepting Jesus.

•      Eating the meat by itself is not sinful it is the knowingly eating of idol sacrifice that is sinful.

•      Paul calls such to be a sacrifice to demons not God V20.

•      And the LORD has said I AM a jealous God, you shall have no other gods but Me. Refer to (Exo 34:14)

•      Key Verse: 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.

•      You cannot share in the Lord's table and the table of demons.

•      You cannot serve two masters.

1 Corinthians 10
Verses 23-33

Christian Liberty

Each of us has our techniques for indicating important words or phrases.

•      When reading Scripture, I like to use a highlighter for important words and verses and a pen to underline important phrases.

•      At a glance, I can find out what the section is all about.

•      For example, I might underline the phrase “Everything is permissible” and, at the same time, highlight permissible.

•      By underlining and highlighting, I have determined what the author thinks is important.

•      It also tells me what words I want to research.

 

•      I highlighted the following words:

•       permissible

•      Conscience

•      Key verses 24 and 31

•      I underlined

•      Everything is permissible

•      food from a sacrifice

•      Not everything is beneficial

•      Not everything builds up

•      For why is my freedom judged by another person's conscience?

Taking a closer look at this section

•      The writer is addressing the concern of the church pertaining to accidently eating foods offered to idols. [n]

•      The presumption is that the time frame and place are the same as identified in the last section.

Often the Bible student will jump right into the interpretation of the Scripture being read without observing what is actually be said.

For example:

•      In reading this section one, can readily see how important context is.

•       If we were to take verse 23 out of context, it would be telling us anything goes, but everything is not beneficial.

It will take research to bring to light the author’s meaning.

•      This is called interpretation or asking the question, what does it mean?

•      Take those words, and phrases that you just identified and let’s do some research.

•      What did Paul mean when he wrote Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial

This phrase appears one other time in the CSB 1Co 6:12

The KJV uses the word lawful in place of permissible.

•      The word permissible or lawful was translated from the Greek exesti G1832, a verb meaning: Reference Vines dictionary A-1

•      An ”impersonal verb, signifying "it is permitted, it is lawful" Research meaning in In this context, Paul is referring to the law handed down to Moses.

•       Dietary restrictions of the law are found in Leviticus 11:2-47 CSB 

•      Acts 11:5-9  appears to set aside the Levitical dietary law.

•      As an interpretation of Peter’s dream Paul undoubtedly believed it was permitted even though the Mosaic law said it was not.

 

•      Therefore there are two interpretations to deal with.

•      The Mosaic law saying that the Jews were not to eat certain described animals.

•      However, God told Peter what God has made pure don’t call impure  Act 11:9.

•      The next phrase attempts to clarify the permissible statement.

•      but not everything is beneficial V23

•      In researching the word beneficial or, in some translations, profitable

•       Paul used the Greek word sympherō G4851

•      turning to BLB and looking at Bible Usages IIc  choice seems to fit the best.

•      Is the phrase “but not everything builds up” the same as the previous phrase?

•      The KJV uses the word edify.

•      Turning to BLB, edify was translated from the Greek word oikodomeō Refer to “Outline of Bible” metaphorical usage for G3618 and read II. B

Therefore Paul is saying just because you are allowed to do something does not make it right.

Paul uses the personal conscience and the conscience of others to exemplify verse 24.

•      What is the conscience of a person?

•      The Outline of Bible usage in BLB, once again clarifies how the word conscience or in Greek syneidēsis, a feminine noun, is used.

•      G4893 Outline of Bible Usage section II, Is an especially good explanation.

•      “This is food from a sacrifice”

•      In the pagan culture, animals would be sacrificed to their gods, and then their meat was sold in the market place.

•      In verses 27-33, Paul is talking about perception.

•      If invited to eat at a pagan table, accept the food without questioning it’s source, so as not to cause conflict within yourself may ease your conscience but what about you host?

•      The perception seen in verses 28 and 29 is that of your host.

•      Your host undoubtedly knows that you are a Christian and, as such, do not eat food offered as a sacrifice to pagan gods.

If you were to eat food sacrificed to idols, having been told, then you are presenting yourself as A hypocrite and could cause anyone seeing you to stumble (1Co 8:10)

The bottom line is this, whatever we do, whether it involves food, clothing, or actions, we are doing so to honor and glorify the Lord.

•      The section key verse is “31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

•      Paul sums up this section in verses 32-33.

How does our interpretation of this section line up with other theologians?

See other commentaries

OTHER COMPARATIVE COMMENTARIES

An EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, by Hilda Bright

https://www.easyenglish.bible/bible-commentary/1-corinthians-lbw.htm

Prepared by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown and published in 1871.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/jamieson-fausset-brown/

Bibliography

And

Credits

All scripture, Strongs concordance, and Vines dictionary references were taken from the Blue Letter Bible

Edwin A. Blum. Executive Editor. Holman Christian Standard Bible. Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary. Holman Bible Publishers, (2010). WORDsearch Corp.

Hans Finzel. Unlocking The scriptures 2015. WORDsearch Corp.