1 Corinthians - Verse by Verse Study - Chapter 10

1 Corinthians 10:1
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

Here we have another verse that Paul includes the phrase that he would want the saints he is writing to not be ignorant. There are several of these passages throughout Paul's epistles that we shouldn't be ignorant of, and are things we should pay special attention to today since he is the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom 11:13). In this verse and continuing to the next few verses, we are given a brief history lesson, and all this in light of what the Corinthians asked Paul about things sacrificed to idols (1 Cor 8:1). Over the next few verses, Paul is going to give examples of when the nation Israel committed idolatry and the consequences of their actions.

Paul starts off by saying that "all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea." Who is Paul referring to here? What group of ancestors were "under a cloud" and passed through the sea?" Also note the pronoun is "our" and not "their". These little words are often extremely important and the source of doctrinal error if the bible student doesn't "rightly divide." It should be clear already in this verse that Paul is referring to the nation of Israel during the time of the Exodus, when the pillar of cloud led them out of the land of Egypt and God allowed them to escape Egypt by parting the Red Sea (Ex 13:17-14:31). All we have in this verse is the beginning of the history lesson with the application to come later. There is no other group of people mentioned that both were "under the cloud" and "passed through the sea," so we must conclude that this is referring to Israel.

Isn't it interesting that God, through Paul, is writing to Gentile believers at Corinth and yet tells them that "all OUR fathers" were there at the time of the Exodus? How could this possibly be? Isn't the nation of Israel separate from Gentiles? The answer can be found with just a bit of bible study, and should become quite clear. First, let's refer to a statement God made through the apostle Paul in Romans chapter 4:

Romans 4:16
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of US all

I start here so that we see where this is driving to. Abraham is claimed the father of us all - again note the pronoun. Paul was writing to the saints at Rome and telling them that the promise came upon the whole world, not only to those under the Law, but "to that also which is of the faith of Abraham. Now, Paul took several verses to prove this, which we would do well to consider next. This passage will provide the reason of the "therefore" at the beginning of Romans 4:16.

Romans 4:1-16
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all

There is much to be said about these verses, but I will limit it to the point being addressed in 1 Corinthians 10. Paul proves that Abraham's righteousness was accounted to him while in uncircumcision and that it was granted by faith apart from works (Rom 4:3-5). We also see that God plays no favorites. Even though He raised up the nation Israel to show Himself and His plan of salvation to the world, this righteousness might be imputed to all them that believe, whether circumcised physically or not (Rom 4:11-12). Justification comes by faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith (Rom 1:17, Hab 2:4). So then, we get to the conclusion that righteousness is obtained by faith apart from physical works, that it might be by grace, to all them that believe and walk in the steps of Abraham.

Why then the Law? Why did God have Israel's salvation also based on works? That would be a natural question and is answered when rightly dividing the word of truth. I won't go into length here, but we know the Law pointed out sin (Rom 3:20). It also pointed to the fact that work must be done to take care of sin, a work God would complete in Christ. God is at liberty to name the terms of salvation from sin and death how He wanted since this is His creation and He knows all the rules. God worked with mankind differently through history, giving promises specifically to Israel (priesthood, earthly kingdom, etc.) and different promises to the Body of Christ (saved from Tribulation period, all spiritual blessings without needing to perform works, etc). God does not show partiality, but rather bases the terms on what He has chosen to reveal to mankind. Now that we have the full word of God this side of Heaven (Col 1:25), there is no further work needed, which is why we are saved from sin and death entirely apart from works, trusting in God's work through Jesus Christ on the cross (Eph 2:8-9). I would encourage the bible student to examine the scriptures to see if these things are so.

We can conclude then from 1 Corinthians 10:1 that all those that believed in God like faithful Abraham were in that group of Israelites that crossed on dry ground across the Red Sea in that day. God was about to give them the Law and usher in the dispensation of Law, but at the time of the Red Sea crossing, that had not yet taken place. Now, not all Israel were believers at that point, but every sincere believer in the world at that time crossed the Red Sea. How can I say that? By what we've examined so far in scripture (1 Cor 10:1 saying "all"), what we will see in the ensuing verses of 1 Corinthians 10, and also this passage in Romans 9:

Romans 9:6-8
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

The "fathers" in 1 Corinthians 10 are referring to those of faith, to those of promise. Even if they lived under a different dispensation, they had faith in God, His word, and that God would be faithful. That's amazing to think about, isn't it? Yet, it is what the scripture says: "All our fathers...," not "some of our fathers..." here in 1 Corinthians 10:1. It may not be as amazing when we consider that there were only 8 faithful people in the world in Noah's day. Still, pronouns and little words are very important to pay attention to when studying God's word, the bible.

1 Corinthians 10:2
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

Continuing from verse one, all our fathers were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Again, these are all the sincere believers at that time, following in the footsteps of faithful Abraham that were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. It is interesting to me that every time baptism is mentioned, there is always a medium and a destination. What I mean is that one is baptized in something (medium) to or into something (destination). Here there are two mediums, the cloud and the sea, and the destination is to Moses. What is the significance of that? First, this baptism doesn't involve immersion in water. I feel silly having to say so, but there are those that see the word baptism and presume baptism means immersion in water every time it is used based on John the Baptist's ministry. These Israelite believers passed through the sea, but this baptism is not wet. What does scripture say?

Exodus 14:21-22
21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

God says that this event was totally dry for Israel. Hollywood may play it up by having the actors sprayed with water as they pass through, but scripture is clear that the ground was dry and the water was in walls on either side of Israel. No, baptism doesn't always mean immersion or sprinkling with water. Much rather, baptism in scripture has the idea of identification. in this verse, it indicates that the sincere believers were identified to Moses by way of the cloud (manifestation of God) and the sea (the evident work of God). They were now convinced of God as being true, their need of God to redeem them, that God chose Moses to lead them at this time, and subsequently they would keep the Law as given to Moses on Sinai. Thus, they were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

John the Baptist's ministry was the baptism of repentance (Matt 3:11a, Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3). Believers would be identified as changing their minds about God and His word, realizing they were sinners because of the Law they had, confessing their sins and turning back to adhere to the Law. In Matthew 3:11, John mentions the one coming after him (Jesus Christ) would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire. This would essentially be identifying believers (Holy Ghost) and unbelievers (fire). Those that would be baptized with the Holy Ghost would be given a taste of the New Covenant promised to Israel (Jer 31:31-34, Matt 26:26-29, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:36-49, Acts 1:1-6, 2:1-21). God makes this clear in the sheep and the goats illustration in Matthew chapter 25:31-46. Had Israel believed in Christ as a nation, the world would have gone right into the Tribulation period and the promised kingdom. Yet they did not, and God concluded Israel, as a nation, in unbelief so that He could have mercy upon all, commissioning the apostle Paul with the message of reconciliation (Rom 11:25-32, 2 Cor 5:17-21).

Those three baptisms mentioned in Matthew 3:11 are different that what we experience today in the dispensation of grace, the dispensation committed to the apostle Paul. Remember that no works are required for salvation today, which was not the same for the believer under the Law. There is but one baptism for today:

Ephesians 4:4-6
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

What is this one baptism for today in the Body of Christ mentioned in Ephesians 4:5? It is done by the Holy Spirit and described here:

1 Corinthains 12:13
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

See again the medium (Holy Spirit) and the destination (one body = Body of Christ). The word "by" here is the Greek "en", typically translated in or among, and the word "into" is the Greek "eis". These same Greek words are used here in 1 Corinthians 10:2, where "unto" is the Greek "eis" and "in" is the Greek "en". The one baptism for today is in the Holy Spirit to the Body of Christ, the amazing miracle that takes place the moment one puts their faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Believers are delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col 1:13). They are taken from being positionally in Adam to being in Christ (Rom 5:12,21, 1 Cor 15:22, 2 Cor 5:21). This is the one baptism for today, and a glorious baptism it is!

1 Corinthians 10:3
And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

Continuing the thought from the first two verses, Paul is saying that all our fathers which were under the cloud and passed through the sea all ate the same spiritual food. What does that mean? First, if there is any question on what is written in the bible, before beginning to speculate, always search the scriptures first to see if God defines it. This will give us clearer understanding rather than looking to man's interpretation, knowing that scripture is no of any private interpretation (2 Pet 1:20-21). Yes, God does talk about eating spiritual food elsewhere, and a quick study will reveal what this is saying.

Matthew 4:1-4

1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

In this familiar passage where our Lord Jesus was in the wilderness and tempted of Satan, we see Jesus speak of spiritual bread by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3. Right away we can see that the word of God is spiritual food for man to be truly sustained. There are a few other passages we can quickly consider.

A reading through John 6:26-58 is where Jesus Christ claims He is the bread of life and that all who wish to have eternal life must "eat his flesh". Of course, He isn't saying that we needed to eat part of his physical body. If the analogy wasn't clear, Jesus answer to the murmuring is in John 6:63 when He says that "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." Again, the word of God is life and what must be "eaten". Jesus is the embodiment of the word as we read in John 1:1 and 1:14. So then, coming back around to 1 Corinthians 10:3, the fathers which were under the cloud and passed through the sea ate the same spiritual food, which is the word of God. These were the sincere believers at that time.

1 Corinthians 10:4
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Just like they ate that spiritual food, they also drank the same spiritual drink. Now, I see that this is a reminder of the physical thing that happened during the exodus when God supernaturally watered the people and flocks of Israel by commanding Moses to strike the rock at Horeb in Exodus 17:1-6. Yet here in 1 Corinthians 10:4 there is a clear spiritual application. Though these fathers drank of the physical water, since we know they were the faithful, they were really drinking of the "spiritual rock" which was Christ.

One thing to point out in the Greek is that there is a definite article at the end. This verse more accurately says "and the rock was the Christ." Even though the fathers being spoken of here were under a different dispensation, or set of rules to live by, they still followed after the Christ.  They took God at His word, proverbially eating it up, trusting that God was going to bring about salvation by the Christ. Because of the revelation of the mystery as given to the apostle Paul, we can understand that the believers during the exodus period were positionally "in Christ."

1 Corinthians 10:5
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Ah, but we have the harsh reality that not all of those who were taking part in the exodus were believers. We can read about how Israel, as a nation, would constantly murmur against Moses and against God. It was due to unbelief that an entire generation would be dead in the wilderness over a period of 40 years before the nation of Israel could begin the conquest in the promised land.

Note well that this verse says "many" and not "all". God always had a remnant of believers from the beginning.

1 Corinthians 10:6
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 comes to mind when I read this verse. God is going to remind us what the unfaithful generation did during the exodus period, and that these are examples for us today. All scripture is inspired of God and is profitable, as 2 Tim 3:16-17 says. Though God isn't directly giving us commands for today in the book of Exodus, we can learn much from studying what is in it.

This example is pertinent for the saints at Corinth since they were having problems with their conduct and they had specific questions on idolatry. Paul has already called them carnal and is now reminding them of what God has done in the past to those who behaved against God's will. Though we are saved from sin by grace entirely apart from works, we can learn good behavior by examining history recorded in scripture. Let us heed this warning then, and not lust after evil things as they did.

1 Corinthians 10:7
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

The account being referred to here is in Exodus 32. Observe:

Exodus 32:1-6
1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.
3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.
6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

Verse 6 of the above passage is what Paul is quoting in 1 Corinthians 10:7. Note how it really didn't take long for the people of Israel to give themselves over to idol worship. We're talking a matter of days. Before anyone gets too hard on Israel, know that the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jer 17:9). If God didn't do a work on His end, if God didn't give the promise of the Messiah from the beginning, nobody would ever have been saved (John 6:44). God wasn't kidding when He told Adam that Adam would surely die when he ate of that fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Praise God for His grace! Back on topic, I'll give a brief synopsis of the time frame starting in Exodus 19.

We read that Israel was led to Mount Sinai in the third month since leaving Egypt (Ex 19:1). Moses tells all the people how that Israel will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation IF they obey what God tells them (Ex 19:3-7). Note that they are entering into a covenant and must perform their end. Israel agreed, and so God told them that for the next 3 days, the people of Israel were to sanctify themselves because God Himself would speak to them (Ex 19:8-17). On that third day, God spoke the familiar 10 commandments in Exodus 20, as well as this important bit at the end of that chapter:

Exodus 20:22-26
22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
23 Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.
24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

God tells them not to make gods of silver or gold and gives them instructions on how to build an acceptable altar. For the next three chapters, God gives them the further details of what we generalize as "The Law." God again says in Exodus 23:13 "And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth." Do we understand that God wants no idol worship whatsoever?

In Exodus 24:1-2, there is a pause to the giving of ordinances and statutes, where we read that Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 elders of Israel come to worship God, though only Moses approached the LORD. Moses told the people what God said, built an altar, offered sacrifices, and wrote what God told him in a book. Then he read those laws and ordinances from the book again to the people, which the said they would do, and they ratified the covenant by blood (Exodus 24:3-8). Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 elders of Israel had the privilege of eating and drinking in the presence of God (Exodus 24:11). Right after this, we read that God invited Moses up the mount and Moses told the elders to wait for him to come down, leaving Aaron and Hur in charge until he got back. Joshua also attended to Moses (Exodus 24:12-14). It took one more week for Moses to go into the presence of God (Exodus 24:15-17). Finally there is this quote here:

Exodus 23:18 - 18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.

Exodus chapters 25-31 records what God said to Moses concerning the tabernacle, how to build it, and also about the priesthood. At the end of Exodus 31 in verse 18, God gives the tables of stone with what He had spoken to Moses. It was about this time that we pick up with Exodus 32 and the idol making and worshiping performed by Aaron and the nation Israel. So then, it took just 40 days before the people of Israel broke their covenant with God (cf Deut 9:7-12). Of course, nothing escapes God's attention, so we read His response along with Moses' intercession for Israel:

Exodus 32:7-14
7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

I go through all of this for us to see the gravity of what occurred in this event. God's warning to us in 1 Corinthians 10:7 is that we be not idolaters like this generation of Israel was, where God had said He was willing to wipe out Israel and start again with Moses. Yes, we live in the age of God's grace, but as Paul says in Galatians 5, we should not use our liberty in Christ as an occasion to the flesh (Gal 5:13). Much rather, we should walk in the Spirit, and obey God, using our bodies as instruments of righteousness (Rom 6:13-14). Works may not matter for salvation from sin and death today (Eph 2:8-9), but what we do makes a difference in those around us, and we should endeavor to share and live the message of gospel of the grace of God every day, so that people choose to have faith in the gospel and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4, Titus 3:3-8).

1 Corinthians 10:8
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

This is a reference to what some of Israel did in Numbers 25:1-9. Here is the passage:
1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

Now the first thing that probably jumped out is verse 9 in the Numbers passage has 24,000 that died while 1 Corinthians 10:8 has 23,000. This is no issue though for the bible student, for Paul says "in one day" whereas the passage in Numbers doesn't define the timeline. The other 1,000 may have died a different day, or there may have been 1,000 put to death on account of the judges in Numbers 25:4-5. There isn't a contradiction here, and we need not worry about the detail. The point is that many people chose idolatry and to eat of the sacrifices to these idols after receiving the Law, which told them explicitly not to do that. It was because they willingly broke God's Law that this plague came upon Israel.

Israel lusted after these evil things, which was wrong according to the Law. Today, we are no longer under Law, but under grace (Rom 6:13). Does that mean we should willingly break the Law because we are no longer under Law but under grace? God forbid! Paul answers this question twice in Romans 6

Romans 6:1-2, 15-18
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

We should hate sin just like God does while we live under grace. Being made free from sin, we should not desire to do it anymore, but rather be repulsed by it. The Law is good and points out sin (Rom 3:20). When it is recognized, we should go the other direction, and use our liberty in God's grace to walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh (Gal 5:13, 16-18).

1 Corinthians 10:9
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

Now Paul is referencing Numbers 21:1-9. Here is the passage:

Numbers 21:1-9
1 And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
2 And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.
3 And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.
4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

We see the covenant relationship between God and Israel pretty clearly in verses 1-4 of this passage, and I included it just for a bit of context. Right after that account, sadly we see some of the Israelites complaining against God and Moses. This is hard for me to understand, because at this time, the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night was leading the nation of Israel through the wilderness. They had first-hand witness of what God did in Egypt and afterward crossing the Red Sea on dry ground. God was so clearly with them, supernaturally caring for them in the wilderness by giving them manna, and yet some among their number complain about it. They are without faith, set against God and His righteousness, and God deals with it by sending fiery serpents among the people. Remember that this was the covenant relationship. If Israel obeyed God indeed and kept the covenant, there would be blessings. If they disobeyed, there would be curses (Ex 19:1-8, 23:20-33, 24:1-11). These serpents in the account of passage in Numbers 21:1-9 had a lethal bite, which scared the people back in line, realizing that they dishonored God by lusting after what they had in Egypt, breaking His Law (Ex 20:17). God responds by sending them punishment, as the Law and covenant relationship required.

Once more, we under the dispensation of grace should not engage in such practice as murmuring against God. Does this make us lose our salvation from sin and death? No, we have that by God's grace through faith apart from works (Eph 1:13-14, 2:8-9). But how unprofitable to lust after temporary things rather than thanking God for all He provides on a daily basis (Phil 4:6-7).

1 Corinthians 10:10
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

This appears to be referencing Numbers 16:41-50. Observe:

41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
43 And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.
44 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.
46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.
47 And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.
49 Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.
50 And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.

This was another sad incident in the history of Israel. Despite all the signs and wonders God did before the eyes of the congregation, some of their hearts still turned from truth and spoke against God. God had ordained that Moses was the leader of Israel and Aaron was the first high priest (Ex 2:11-14, 3:7-10, 28:1-4, 43, etc). Now the people were speaking against what God had set in place, and as they were a covenant people, God must do something about it (Ex 19:1-8, 24:1-8). The plague claimed many lives during this incident, and the crime was ultimately blaspheming God, as Moses and Aaron were God's representatives in the office God gave them.

This says something about the recent news in that hate speech is now punishable by crime in certain countries. We enjoy the freedom of speech that we have for now in the USA, so let us use that to glorify God in the program He has for us today. Please understand that we who are in the church which is the Body of Christ, are NOT a covenant people today. There is nothing we have to do on our end in terms of works to be saved from sin and death (Acts 16:27-31, Eph 2:8-9, 1 Cor 15:1-4). In those cross references in Exodus above, we see that the nation of Israel IS a covenant people, that if they do their end, God will do His and vice versa. However, in God's grace and mercy, He concluded the nation Israel in unbelief so that He could have mercy upon all, desiring all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (Acts 9-13, Rom 11:25, 32, 1 Tim 2:4). The covenants and promises are set aside for a time, until the fullness of the Gentiles (nations) be come in (Rom 11:25). At that time, all the prophecy and covenants will be the law of the land again (Rom 11:29). Make today the day of your salvation by faith in what God did through Christ on the cross of Calvary (Rom 3:21-28, 5:6-12, Eph 2:8-9, 1 Cor 15:1-4).

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Clearly, God had a purpose for all of scripture. People didn't always behave the way they should, and God didn't sugarcoat it. Rather, as Paul says here, these things happened as examples that we should learn from. They are warnings we should heed. There were many among the covenant people that disobeyed the covenant, and there were severe consequences. They could have had a plethora of blessings if they only obeyed God's voice indeed. Unfortunately, they chose to hold the truth of God in unrighteousness through unbelief (Rom 1:18-19).

Israel was under the covenant of the Law. They had to keep the works as well as have faith, but doing the works alone still wasn't enough as our Lord Jesus testified many times to the religious rulers of that day. They may have been flattering Him with their words, but the hearts were far from Him (Matt 15:1-9). All of these things are an admonition for us who are not under Law, but under grace (Rom 6:14). How should we behave? Works do not matter concerning our salvation from sin and death today, but clearly, there is a way we ought to behave. We should respond with immense gratitude for the work Jesus Christ did for us on the cross of Calvary and seek to share His message of reconciliation at every opportunity (2 Cor 5:17-21). We should trust God implicitly at His word, rightly divided, endeavoring to show ourselves approved unto Him (2 Tim 2:15).

The last part of this verse should open our eyes to God's timeline. The KJV has that we, the Body of Christ, are in the "ends of the world". Let's take a closer look at the original language for some more insight. After the comma, the Greek reads like this:

eis hous ta tele ton aionon katenteken

This translates literally to:

to those the ends of the ages have come/arrived.

The context would help us understand how aionon should be translated, because "world" or "ages" can fit, but I think in our modern language it makes more sense to keep "ages" there. We can see how history was broken up into different ages, but I'm mostly concerned with the biblical ages. Essentially there was the time before the covenant people (Genesis 1 - 11), the time of the covenant people (Genesis 12 - Acts 8), the period of Grace to interrupt the culmination of the times prophesied to the covenant people (Acts 9 - Philemon), then the culmination of the times prophesied to the covenant people (Hebrews - Revelation).

We currently live in the "ends of the ages" or the "last days" in the sense that there is no more written in the word of God that He hasn't told us will happen before the end of the present evil age (Gal 1:4). What God did in ushering in the Body of Christ and the dispensation of grace is postpone the fulfillment of the day of wrath, or vengeance, because His will is that all mankind are saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). This is the last offer of grace and peace before God's wrath will be unleashed upon the world and then all things made new. This is why Christians should have a sense of urgency to share the message of reconciliation as God's ambassadors, knowing He could call us to Heaven with Him at any moment (2 Cor 5:17-21, 1 Thess 4:13-18, Titus 2:13, Phil 3:20-21).

1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Again, all those consequences unbelieving Israel endured should give us pause to think about our own conduct. Where is our heart at? Is it in following after God or after man? Do we sincerely believe that Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection is sufficient to pay for our sins in full (1 Cor 15:1-4, Col 2:13)? If we do believe that, we are eternally secure (Eph 1:13-14). Even so, that doesn't give any member of the Body of Christ license to boast (Eph 2:8-9). Paul is exhorting the congregation at Corinth to examine themselves here. The one that thinks he stands should take heed lest he fall. Really examine yourself and see where your heart is at, and make sure that you are saved by faith in Christ's work and not your own.

Also know that if the gospel of grace gets mixed with any other doctrine, we rob ourselves of the blessing and simplicity that is in Christ (Col 2:6-23). Condemnation will result that we aren't good enough or some such. Let God's word change your mind. Let the glorious gospel of the grace of God be the foundation built upon, setting you free of the bondage of of the Law or any form of legalism.

1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

This verse is often quoted as encouragement to fellow Christians when going through a tough time. It is also quoted to exhort fellow Christians to make the right choice. This is all well and good. Even so, let's take a closer look at what the verse is saying.

We just were told of all the examples of poor behavior and choices made by the Israelites. Now we are reminded that in today's age, there is no temptation or trial that lays hold on us but those that come upon all mankind. Just because believers are now in the Body of Christ doesn't mean that we have supernatural protection against all evil around us. We still go through undesirable things as a result of man's sin against God in the Garden of Eden. Believer's houses and cars will need repairs,  believers will get sick, etc. The point is that God is faithful and will not allow us to go through something we can't handle. Every day is filled with choices, and we should constantly be thinking if the choice we're making honors God or not. Remember this: it's entirely up to us to make the right choice. God will never interfere with the free will He gave to mankind. God will make a way of escape that we may endure the trial or temptation, but again, it is up to the individual going through the trial to choose God's way of escape or not.

Praise the Lord for giving us a blessed hope to look forward to in the catching away of the Body of Christ to be with God forever (1 Thess 4:13-18, Titus 2:13, etc.). All believers in this dispensation of grace get to look forward to that event, as well as partake in the position we have "in Christ". We already have all the spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ (Eph 1:3). In the moment of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as atonement for our sin, we are made holy and without blame before God (Eph 1:4). We are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God until that day of being caught away, so we have eternal security (Eph 1:13-14). When we focus on who we are "in Christ," it is tremendous motivation to make the right choice each day, meaning the choice to honor God in whatever situation we're in.

1 Corinthians 10:14
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

Since we ought to know what it means to be in Christ, and since we have such a large amount of examples of behavior not to do, it should be clear that idolatry should not have any place in the life of a believer. God certainly hates idolatry and justly brought punishment on those practicing it under the covenant relationship. Just because we're under grace today doesn't give believers license to commit idolatry or encourage those who do by not taking a stance against it. If we are accepted in Christ because of the love God commended toward us on the cross, why would we dishonor Him in that way?

This verse again goes all the way back to chapter 8 and verse 1. The Corinthians had some questions on food sacrificed to idols and Paul was addressing it. He laid out biblical truth for the next couple of chapters, culminating here in what they should have already understood: have nothing to do with idolatry.

I've often heard of jokes that there are many who worship the gods of "niffle" and "nicka" on the weekends instead of coming to church (NFL and NCAA). Games, hobbies, and activities are all fine and good. God created everything as "neutral", but it is how we use them or deem them that can cause problems (Rom 14:14). God did make all things for us to enjoy (1 Tim 6:17). So as God spared nothing in giving us His only Son to save us from sin and death, which we caused, let us seek to honor Him first and then play with what God made for us to enjoy. Of course, we can honor Him in those things that we play and enjoy as well.

1 Corinthians 10:15
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

I think this was meant for a challenge to the wayward saints at Corinth. Paul just backed up what he was talking about with much scripture, concluding with the previous verse that bluntly says to flee from idolatry. As one final punch, he tells this local assembly of believers that they are wise and should know that what Paul is saying is truth. "You are wise," Paul tells them, "You judge what I'm saying."

We also remember that in 1 Corinthians 2: Paul reminds us that the sincere believer has the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:10-16). We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit in the moment of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as payment for our sin (Eph1 :13-14), so we may discern these spiritual things. We would fit the biblical definition of "wise" as long as we "quench not the Spirit" (1 Thess 5:19). Again, therein lies our free will choice.

1 Corinthians 10:16
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

Turning things around now, Paul speaks of "that which he received" from Jesus Christ Himself (1 Cor 11:23-26). This practice of partaking in what we call the "Lord's Supper" or "Communion" is to show where our faith is. In the immediate context here in chapter 10, Paul just finished his thoughts on food sacrificed to idols. To contrast that, he brings us to the attention of a tradition we do to examine and remind ourselves of where our faith is. Jesus Christ shared the cup at the Passover meal with the twelve and told them that it was the blood of the New Covenant (or New Testament, Matt 26:27-28). He also broke bread with them and said it was His body given for them (Matt 26:26). All of this is a reminder of our place "in Christ."

In that moment of faith, the believer is baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13). We partake of His death, burial, and resurrection by this identification (Rom 6:3-11). Paul is setting up another point in this verse and the next few verses to further help the saints understand their identity "in Christ" and that we should have nothing to do with idols.

1 Corinthians 10:17
For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Why are we talking about bread now? How are we "one bread?" Because of the reference just given in the previous verse of the last supper. Jesus broke His body and shed His blood, then revealed to the apostle Paul that that act reconciled the world unto Himself (2 Cor 5:1). Remember, believers in the dispensation of grace have been baptized in the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). All of the sincere believer, the "many" here in this verse, are in the Body of Christ. Therefore, we are all partakers of that one bread, the Body of Christ. We remind ourselves of this every time we take part in what we call communion today.

1 Corinthians 10:18
Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

Now take a moment and read through the Law and the ordinance of the priesthood for Israel. These are the things Israel was to do that they may live (Deut 4:1). They were to take part in sacrifices for sin and cleansing. The priests that performed the sacrifices would get a portion of the sacrifice as their food (Lev 6:14-18). Take note of what is said here:

Leviticus 19:1-8
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.
5 And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will.
6 It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if ought remain until the third day, it shall be burnt in the fire.
7 And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted.
8 Therefore every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

See in verses 5-8 that God sums up the sacrifice offered to Him and that the people partook of it? Believing Israel would partake of the sacrifice offered to the God of Israel. This is what is meant in this verse of "after the flesh" as it is referring to the physical things they would do.

1 Corinthians 10:19
What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

So what is Paul saying? What is he taking a couple of chapters to say? Interesting that he poses the  question here. Is Paul saying the idol or sacrifice to the idol is anything? Far from it. Recall that Paul already reminded us that we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one in 1 Corinthians 8:4. The idol isn't anything because the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, as we will see in this chapter in verses 26 and 28. No, the point will be made in the next verse.

1 Corinthians 10:20
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

Israel would partake in sacrifices unto the true God. They would show their faith and where their heart was at when obeying the Law. In contrast, when Gentiles partake of sacrifices to idols, it is showing where their heart is at. It is most certainly not for the one true God. As we read here, it is to devils, or those spiritual beings that followed after Satan in his rebellion (2 Pet 2:4-6, Jude 6-7, Rev 12:4). If that's what the Gentiles are doing when sacrificing to idols, should a believer in Jesus Christ and the atoning work on the cross of Calvary take part in that? God forbid!

How could any sincere believer think that that is okay? No believer in Christ should have anything to do with idolatry. Granted, we may not know many people that will sacrifice to an idol of rock or wood today. However, we still deal with idolatry. The mentality of the immature believer would ask a question like, "How much can I get away with?" or "How far can I go?" They may even think, "I'm under grace, so I can do anything I want." That is carnal thinking bent on giving into the fleshly desires. Instead of that, we should ask ourselves, "Is what I'm doing honoring God and what He did for me?" Instead of using our liberty for an occasion to the flesh, we should serve one another so that others can see Christ in us, the hope of glory, and choose to be saved themselves (Gal 5:13, Col 1:27, 2 Tim 2:26).

1 Corinthians 10:21
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

If any believer takes part in both communion and food sacrificed to idols, what is that showing? That faith is in both the one true God, who said not to worship idols, and in the idol or devil. This is a double-minded person, which our Lord rebuked in His earthly ministry and was echoed in the book of James:

Matt 6:24
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

While these two passages are doctrine for the circumcision (Matt 15:24, Rom 15:8, Gal 2:7-9, James 1:1), we can still learn of the spiritual application to us today. The heart of a believer should be focused on the one true God. Do we truly appreciate what God did in Christ on the cross for us? Then we should seek every opportunity to let the world know. We should constantly be thinking on heavenly things instead of earthly things (Col 3:1-4, Phil 4:8-9). We should certainly not cause confusion by idolatrous practice and hinder others from knowing the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:22
Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

Here we have another challenge to the believer in the grace of God. No believer should partake both of devils and of God, so Paul questions: do we provoke the Lord to jealousy, especially after God commended His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8)? Should we do this knowing that the Lord is the stronger? He created the universe by His word (Genesis 1). It would be a foolish thing indeed to provoke the Lord to jealousy, who desires all mankind to be saved and know the truth (1 Tim 2:4). Who are we to stand in His way after He paid such a high price for our salvation?

1 Corinthians 10:23
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

After much discussion on sacrifices to idols, Paul is going to close with this argument, that although we are free to do whatever we wish in Christ, not everything is a good idea to do. I think this verse is pretty straightforward, but it is unique doctrine to the Body of Christ. Those that were under the Law could certainly not say such a thing. They were required to do the Law that they may live (Deut 4:1). Since we are free in Christ under the dispensation of grace, all things are permissible. That's what the idea of "lawful" is here as it comes from the Greek exesti. However, just because all things are permissible doesn't mean we should do certain things, like idolatry as is being talked about. It will not bring about any edification of those participating in sinful activity if the believer condones such practice.

It may be worth noting that "expedient" here comes from the Greek sumphero, and has the idea of coming together or being profitable.

1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

The practical side of verse 23 is stated right here. If believers focus on "another's wealth", there will be edification. These would be the things we should be doing, though all things are permissible. Paul also states this idea in more words in Romans 12:

Romans 12:3-5
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Paul is the only one in the bible teaching that we are "all members one of another" in the Body of Christ. As the body seeks for the good of the whole, so should we as believers in Christ. We should look to the things of another rather than to be selfish. Selfishness leads to destruction whereas selflessness leads to edification.

1 Corinthians 10:25
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

The English word shambles used to mean a meat market or butcher's slaughterhouse. This comes from the Greek makellon, which is the equivalent of a meat market. Paul is still on topic about things sacrificed to idols and commands the Corinthian saints that whatever meat is sold in the meat market, eat it without question for conscience sake. If there isn't anything spoken of about it being part of a sacrifice to an idol, then by all means, eat it.

1 Corinthians 10:26
For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

This is the reason for verse 25. Everything in the earth belongs to God anyway. All things were made for us to enjoy (1 Tim 6:17), and nothing is unclean of itself (Rom 14:14). Should someone determine something is unclean, then it is unclean to that person and is between that person and the Lord as the passage in Romans 14 goes on to say.

1 Corinthians 10:27
If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

Now after setting forth that all things in the earth are the Lord's and that the believer may eat whatever is sold in the meat market as long as their is no questioning of where it came from, Paul expands on this should the believer find themselves eating with an unbeliever. They are allowed to go and eat, as long as there are no questions of where the food came from once again. This is done for "conscience sake", as is repeated here and in verses 25, 28, and 29, with the point coming in verse 29. It's the conscience of the unbeliever that is at stake here. The believer is already "in Christ" with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies (Eph 1:3, 13-14). We wouldn't want to encourage the unbeliever in idol worship, but rather point them to the one true God and salvation through faith in Christ's work on the cross of Calvary.

1 Corinthians 10:28
But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

In the scenario that the believer is eating with the unbeliever and the unbeliever announces that they are partaking of a sacrifice unto idols, the believer should have the red alert going off in their head that this is wrong. What did God say through Paul back in verse 20? The unbelieving Gentile "sacrifices to devils, and not to God, and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils." In this case, the believer would politely refuse the food and lovingly explain why. Again, it is their conscience and soul that is at stake. They think the idol is something, but the believer knows that the idol is nothing (1 Cor 8:4). Sadly, not everyone understands this (1 Cor 8:7). This would be an opportunity to preach the gospel of the grace of God, should any believer find themselves in this position.

We are also reminded that everything in the earth belongs to God, as we were in verse 26. We should really pay attention when God repeats things, shouldn't we? The idol is nothing in the world and everything in the earth belongs to God. There is nothing unclean of itself, but it is how a person uses it that may make it unclean (Rom 14:14). Money isn't evil, but the love of money is, because it is covetousness, which is idolatry (1 Tim 6:10, Rom 7:7, Col 3:5). So let us conduct ourselves in accordance as it behooves saints so that the unbelievers can see Christ in us and choose salvation (Eph 4:1-3).

1 Corinthians 10:29
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

This is the point being driven at with food sacrificed to idols, whatever the questions were that the Corinthians were asking Paul. God tells us that it is for the sake of the unbeliever that no saint take part in food sacrificed to idols as long as it is published that it is food sacrificed to idols. Believers are free in Christ (Gal 5:1). God just told us that all things are lawful, or permissible, for the saint back in verse 23, but there are consequences to bad choices. Even though all things are allowed, not all things are good. There is a decency, an order, that saints should conduct themselves in for the sake of the unbeliever, that they may acknowledge that God is in us of a truth and choose to be saved (1 Cor 14:24-25).

Now this verse ends with what I see as another challenge to something that must have been quite the issue in Corinth. Why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? Why is my freedom in Christ questioned for the sake of another man's conscience? Paul will bring us to the point described in verses 31-33, but first get us to examine ourselves and motives. Perhaps the question we could ask regarding this verse is, "Why would I have my freedom in Christ questioned by an unbeliever due to me condoning a practice contrary to Christ?"

If believers compromise sound doctrine of what God's word says, unbelievers will know and jump all over it. It's a sad state of the professing church today that some are allowing homosexual behavior, or pursuit of sign gifts, or requiring water baptism as part of salvation. There are many other imperfections I could name here, but look at what it has done to the world. Christianity is laughed to scorn because of poor representation, and many are turned away from the faith. The believer should choose to stand on sound doctrine, letting the bible say what it says, and never compromise. Even so, some will choose not to believe, but we would be far better off honoring God by walking worthy of sainthood (Eph 4:1-3). As Paul says to Timothy:

2 Tim 4:1-5
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

1 Corinthians 10:30
For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

This could very well be one of the questions the Corinthians were asking. Why were they being rebuked for being thankful for food they received? Weren't they being gracious? Weren't they being hospitable? Weren't they showing kindness to the unbelievers that invited them for dinner? Paul uses the first person here, interestingly enough, but to prove a point as he was the apostle to the Gentiles with the message of reconciliation committed to him (Rom 11:13, 1 Cor 9:17).

Now, I have a hard time understanding the way the KJV is translated in this verse, because the verb in the first half of the verse is the first person singular present tense of partake and the noun "grace" is in the Dative case. The beginning would more accurately be this:

If I partake with thankfulness...

The word "grace" here is the Greek charis, which is usually rendered "grace", but can also mean "kindness", "gratitude", or "thanks". I think that gives the idea of the verse a bit better, and why I posed those few questions above. So why were they being rebuked (really the Greek here for "evil spoken of" is "blasphemeo") for being thankful for the meal? Because they were condoning idolatry, something God repeats over and over not to partake in. How could the unbeliever realize they are doing something immoral if the Christian goes along with the immoral behavior?

1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Here is a verse often quoted, but one not heeded as often as it should be. Given the context, whether eating or drinking, remember that we, the church of today's dispensation, are of one body (1 Cor 10: 17) and the head of the body is Christ (Col 1:13-18). We should be subject to Him, meaning we should be willing to serve and glorify Him in all things we do. This includes eating and drinking, like the immediate context, but really does apply to all things. It should be obvious, but I feel the need to point out the "whatsoever ye do" in this verse. Every so often, God lists a few specifics of do's and don'ts in the epistles of Paul, and then tacks on the summation of it or a catch-all phrase so we get the reminder that we were bought with a price and should honor Him with our body (1 Cor 6:20). Is the expectation to honor Him only part of the time and bring dishonor at other times? How absurd! While it is true that we are at liberty in Christ to do anything we want, the lesson that's repeated over and over in this chapter is we should use our liberty to always glorify God, standing on the sure word of God, so others may see and choose to be saved. We should be willing to stand on God's word especially when idolatrous activities are going on around us, like eating food sacrificed to idols. In this case, the loving thing to do would be to not eat that food (1 Cor 10:28) and then explain why with scripture for the sake of the unbeliever's conscience and very soul.

1 Corinthians 10:32
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Most of this epistle has to do with correcting wayward behavior in the saints. These saints at Corinth had much to be corrected on as we've seen already and we're only two thirds done with the epistle. There was strife and division that resulted from the carnality, which was brought up immediately in the first chapter (1 Cor 1:11). Now that Paul has covered some of the questions that were written to him and he addressed what should be done in regard to things offered to idols, he gives another summation verse. No offense, or no cause of stumbling, should be given to, now note, three different groups of people.

The three groups listed are Jews, Gentiles, and the church of God. We know that the Body of Christ doesn't make distinction, that God's word tells us it consists of all believers in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as the atoning work for sin (Gal 3:28, Col 3:11). That begs the question: Why is there a distinction here? Because there are still three groups in the world today. Two of these groups listed do not believe in God at His word (unbelieving Jews and unbelieving Gentiles, cf 1 Cor 1:22-24). Only one group does believe in God at His word, which is the church of God, made up of Jew and Gentile.

Paul states something similar to 1 Cor 10:32 in his epistle to the Romans:

Romans 12:18
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

No matter who believers interact with, we ought to live peaceably, but also should live in such a way that we do not cause another to stumble. Studying 1 Corinthians chapter 10 should help us focus on the conscience of the unbeliever and what possible ramifications our actions have while we are out in the world. We need to conduct ourselves according to the word of God, just as we are called to do. Paul describes saints as "called" many times, as in 1 Corinthians 1:2. Once someone puts their faith in the gospel of God's grace and is baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ, they have a calling to live up to. It isn't that God pre-selected us to go to Heaven, but pre-selected the manner in which believers ought to live. Christ is now the Head, and the believer is a member of the Body. They should subject themselves to what God tells us, which is summarily to live righteously, using our bodies as instruments of righteousness (Rom 6:13-14). We should walk worthy of this vocation (Eph 4:1-3). The problem is that many that are "in Christ" are ignorant of what that means. This church of Corinth was way out of line concerning their conduct, and the professing church today would do well to heed all the corrections found in this epistle, as we still struggle with these issues still today.

1 Corinthians 10:33
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Once more we see the issue at its core here. The whole point is that once we are believers in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the atoning work for our sin, we ought to understand who we are in Christ. We gain understanding by the word of God (Rom 10:17). So we should study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). When we do, we understand that in this dispensation, believers are God's ambassadors equipped with the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:17-21), waiting to be called back to Heaven to be with the Lord forever (1 Thess 4:13-18). Knowing this, we ought to conduct ourselves righteously, as much as lies in us to live peaceably with all mankind (Rom 12:18). We ought to conduct ourselves in such a way so as not to cause others to stumble over the truth, which is the word of God (John 17:17). Everything we do ought to point people to the fact that human beings are created by God, but separated from Him due to Adam's transgression in the Garden of Eden (Rom 5:12). All mankind is in need of a Savior (Gen 3:15, Rom 3:23). God has done the salvation work in Christ on the cross and made it known through the revelation of the mystery to the whole world through the apostle Paul (Rom 16:25-27). So then, let us preach and live out the message of reconciliation for the profit of many, that they may be saved.