MSB 1 COR Chapter 10

Warnings from Israel’s Past

(Numbers 16:41–50, Numbers 25:1–5)

Now[fn] 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.

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 to 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 also[fn] [did], and were killed by snakes. 10 vvv And do not complain, as also[fn] some of them [did], and were killed by the destroying angel.[fn]

Now all[fn] 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;[fn] [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].

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.

Consider vvv the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar? 19 Am I suggesting, then, that an idol is anything, or that food sacrificed to an idol is anything?[fn] 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?

All to God’s Glory

(1 Peter 4:1–11)

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

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]

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 — for the earth [is the] Lord’s, and the fullness thereof — [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?

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.