BSB 1 COR Chapter 10

Warnings from Israel’s Past

(Numbers 16:41–50, Numbers 25:1–5)

vvv I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and [that] they all passed through the sea. 2 vvv They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from [the] spiritual rock that accompanied them, and [that] rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God vvv was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.

6 

These things took place as examples to keep us vvv vvv vvv from craving evil things as they [did]. 7 vvv Do not be idolaters, as some of them [were]. As it is written:“The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[fn] 8 vvv We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them [did], and in one day twenty-three thousand [of them] died. 9 We should not test Christ,[fn] as some of them [did], and were killed by snakes. 10 vvv And do not complain, as some of them [did], and were killed by the destroying angel.[fn]

11 

Now these things happened to them [as] examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So the [one who] thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God [is] faithful; [He] vvv will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when [you are] tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under [it].

14 

Flee from Idolatry

(Exodus 20:22–26)

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak to reasonable [people]; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? [And] is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because [there is] one loaf, [we who are] many are one body; for vvv we all partake of the one loaf.

18 

Consider vvv the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar? 19 Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, [but] [the] sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And vvv I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 vvv You cannot drink [the] cup of [the] Lord and [the] cup of demons [too]; vvv you cannot partake in [the] table of [the] Lord and [the] table of demons {too}. 22 Are we trying to provoke the Lord {to jealousy}? Are we stronger than He?

23 

All to God’s Glory

(1 Peter 4:1–11)

“Everything is permissible,”[fn] but not everything is beneficial.“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. 24 No one should seek his own [good], but [the good] of others.

25 

Eat anything sold in [the] meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for,“The earth [is] the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”[fn]

27 

If an unbeliever invites you {to a meal} and you want to go, eat anything set before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone tells you,“This [food] was offered to idols,” {then do} not eat [it], for the sake of the one who told [you] and for the sake of conscience — [fn] 29 the other [one’s] [ conscience ], I mean, not your own For why {should} my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake [in the meal] with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

31 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 32 Do not become a stumbling block whether to Jews [or] Greeks [or] the church of God—33 as I also [try to] please everyone in all [I do]. vvv [For] I am not seeking my [own] good, but [the good] of many, that they may be saved.