Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians 10

Verse 1

Moreover . The texts read, "For". It introduces an instance of some who were rejected.

would not = do not desire. Greek. thelo . App-102 .

be ignorant . Greek. agnoeo. See Romans 1:13 .

all . Notice the emphatic repetition of "all" in verses: 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 .

through . App-104 . 1 Corinthians 10:1 .

Verse 2

baptized . App-115 . .

Moses . See 1 Corinthians 9:9 .

Verse 3

spiritual . Greek. pneumatikos. See 1 Corinthians 12:1 .

meat = food.

Verse 4

drink . Greek. poma. Only here and Hebrews 9:10 .

for, &c . To the end of the verse is a parenthesis.

drank = were drinking. Imperf.

that followed them . There is no word for "them". The meaning is, the miracle of the water from the Rock followed that of manna from heaven.

Christ . App-98 . As the source of their supply, He is called the Rock. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6 . Compare Deuteronomy 32:4 , Deuteronomy 32:15 , Deuteronomy 32:18 , Deuteronomy 32:30 , Deuteronomy 32:31 , Deuteronomy 32:37 . Psalms 19:14 ; &c.

Verse 5

many = the most.

God . App-98 .

well pleased . Greek. eudokeo. See 1 Corinthians 1:21 .

overthrown . Greek. katastrannumi. Only here in NT. But the word occurs twice in Septuagint, Numbers 14:16 (where the Authorized Version reads "slain") and Job 12:23 .

Verse 6

were = became.

our . i.e. for us.

examples = types. Greek. tupos. Same word as "ensample" (1 Corinthians 10:11 ). See first occurance: John 20:25 .

to the intent . Greek. eis . App-104 .

lust after . Literally be desirers of. Greek. epithumetes. Only here.

evil . Greek. kakos . App-128 .

lusted . Greek. epithumeo, to desire. Occurs sixteen times, not always in a bad sense. Compare Matthew 13:17 . Luke 17:22 ; Luke 22:15 . The reference is to Exodus 32:6-25 . App-107 .

Verse 7

Neither . Greek. mede.

idolaters . See 1 Corinthians 5:10 .

some . App-124 .

is = has been.

people . Greek. laos . See Acts 2:47 .

rose up . Greek. anistemi. App-178 .

play . Greek. paizo . Only here in N.T. This quotation is word for word from the Septuagint of Exodus 32:6 .

Verse 8

three and twenty thousand . See Numbers 25:1-9 where the number is given as 24,000, but this included the princes of the people of verse 4. See note there. [ Conversion note : verse 4 of what book and chapter? Numbers 25:4 ? 1 Corinthians 10:4 ? Neither verse describes "princes of the people", so I left the original text as "verse 4".]

Verse 9

tempt = put thoroughly to the test. Greek. ekpeirazo. Only here and Matthew 4:7 . Luke 4:12 ; Luke 10:25 .

Christ . The texts read "the Lord".

tempted . Greek. peirazo, the word commonly used.

were destroyed . Greek. pass, of apollumi. See 1 Corinthians 1:18 .

of = by. App-104 . See Numbers 21:5 , Numbers 21:6 .

Verse 10

murmur . Greek. gonguzo. Occurs here and six times in the Gospels.

destroyer . Greek. olothreutes. Only here, but the verb is found in Hebrews 11:28 , of the destroying angel, and also in Exodus 12:23 and other places in the Septuagint.

Verse 11

unto = to.

ensamples . Greek. tupos , as in 1 Corinthians 10:6 , but the texts read "typically".

are = were.

admonition = warning. Greek. nouthesia. Elsewhere, Ephesians 6:4 .Titus 3:10 .

world = ages. App-129 .

are come . Greek. katantao. See Acts 16:1 .

Verse 12

Wherefore = So then.

take heed = look to it. Greek. blepo . App-133 .

lest . App-105 . This has passed into a proverb. Figure of speech Paroemia . App-6 .

Verse 13

There hath, &c . Literally Temptation hath not (Greek. ou) .

but = except. Greek. ei me .

such, &c . = a human (one). Greek. anthropinos. See 1 Corinthians 2:4 .

faithful . Greek. pistos. App-150 and App-175 :4. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:9 . 1 Peter 4:19 . 1 John 1:9 .

above . App-104 .

also make, &c . = make a way to escape also.

a way to escape . Greek. ekbasis = a way out. Only here and Hebrews 13:7 .

bear = endure. Greek. hupophero. Only here, 2Ti 3:11 . 1 Peter 2:13 .

Verse 14

Wherefore . See 1 Corinthians 8:13 .

dearly beloved . App-135 .

idolatry . Greek. eidololatreia. Only here. Galatians 1:5 , Galatians 1:20 . Colossians 3:5 . 1 Peter 4:3 . Compare 2 Corinthians 6:16 . 1 John 5:21 .

Verse 15

judge . App-122 . This appeal is an instance of the Figure of speech Anacoenosis. App-6 .

Verse 16

cup, &c . Four cups, one called the cup of blessing, were used at the Paschal Supper.

which we bless . Compare Matthew 26:27 (gave thanks).

communion . Same as fellowship (1 Corinthians 1:9 ). Figure of speech Metaphor ( App-6 ), and in the following verses.

Christ = the Christ. App-98 .

Verse 17

For, &c . Literally Because there is one loaf, we the many are one body. Compare 1 Corinthians 12:12 .

bread . Greek. artos . Always translated "loaf" when the number is specified. See Matthew 14:17 . Mark 8:14 , &c.

are . . . partakers . = partake. Greek. metecho. See 1 Corinthians 9:10 .

Verse 18

Behold = See. Greek. blepo , as in 1 Corinthians 10:12 .

after = according to. App-104 .

partakers . Greek. koinonos. Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 10:20 . Matthew 23:30 . Luke 5:10 . 2 Corinthians 1:7 ; 2 Corinthians 8:23 .Philemon 1:17 . Hebrews 10:33 . 1Pe 5:1 . 2 Peter 1:4 .

Verse 19

that which, &c . Greek. eidolothutos. See Acts 15:29 .

Verse 20

Gentiles . Greek. ethnos.

devils = demons. Greek. daimonion. See Acts 17:18 . Reference to Deuteronomy 32:17 .

Verse 21

cannot = are not (Greek. o u) able to.

Lord . App-98 .

Verse 22

provoke . . . to jealousy . Greek. parazelod. See Romans 10:15 .

Lord . App-98 .

are we, &c . This question is introduced by me , expecting a negative answer. Notice the vividness given to the apostle's argument by the use of the Figure of speech Erotesis in verses: 1 Corinthians 10:10 , 1 Corinthians 10:16 , 1 Corinthians 16:18 , 1 Corinthians 16:19 , 1 Corinthians 16:22 .

Verse 23

all things, &c . = not all things are expedient, or profitable.

all things, &c . = not all things edify. Greek. oikodomeo. See Acts 9:31 .

Verse 24

no man = no one. Greek. medeis.

his own = his own things.

every man = each one, but the texts omit.

another's wealth = the things of the other. (Greek. heteros. App-124 .) Compare Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:4 .

Verse 25

Whatsoever = All which.

shambles . Greek. makellon. Only here.

asking no question = questioning nothing (Greek. medeis) .

asking . App-122 .

for . . . sake = on account of. App-104 . 1 Corinthians 10:2 .

conscience . Greek. suneidesis . Compare 1 Corinthians 8:7 .

Verse 26

earth . App-129 .

LORD'S . App-98 .

fulness . Greek. pleroma. See Psalms 21:1 .

Verse 27

If. App-118 .

any . App-123 .

them that believe not = the unbelievers. Greek. apistos, as in 1 Corinthians 7:12 .

bid = call.

be disposed = wish. App-102 .

Verse 28

if . App-118 .

any man = any one, as in 1 Corinthians 10:27 .

offered, &c . Greek. eidolothutos, as in 1 Corinthians 10:19 , but the texts read hierothutos, "offered in sacrifice", as more appropriate language at a heathen feast.

shewed . Greek. menuo . See Luke 20:37 ,

Verse 29

of the other = that of the other. This must be a weak believer, who wished to give warning; a heathen would have no "conscience" in the matter. Here, after the parenthesis of verses: 1 Corinthians 10:26-28 , the word "conscience" is repeated from 1 Corinthians 10:25 , giving the Figure of speech Epanalepsis. App-6 .

another . App-124 .

Verse 30

grace . App-184 .

evil spoken of . Greek. blasphemeo. Same as "defamed" (1 Corinthians 4:13 ).

give thanks . Greek. eucharisteo. See Acts 27:35 .

Verse 31

to. App-104 .

Verse 32

Give none offence . Literally Become without offence. Greek. aproskopos. See Acts 24:16 .

Gentiles = Greeks. Greek. Hellen.

church . App-186 .

Verse 33

please . Greek. aresko.

profit . Same as "expedient", 1 Corinthians 10:23 .

many = the many.

that = in order that. Greek. hina.