Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 10:1

γάρ אABCDEFG, Vetus Lat. Vulg. Rec. δέ with Peshito.

1. οὐ θέλω γὰρ ὑμᾶς�. A characteristic expression of St Paul. Cf. ch. 1 Corinthians 12:1, and Romans 1:13; Romans 11:25; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

γάρ. There is a slight difficulty in the sequence of thought here, which has caused the substitution of δέ in the rec. text. But there is a clear connection between this verse and what precedes. The subject is the necessity of caution in the Christian life. This has been illustrated by the example of the athletes in the arena. It is now further illustrated by the example of the Israelites. They possessed great privileges, and lost them. And further, the prize is won by the athlete by discipline. It is lost by the Israelites through indulgence.

οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν πάντες. The emphasis on πάντες here—it is repeated five times—serves to point out the moral that though all without exception received the privileges, the greater number were very far from using them aright. The lesson is still more closely driven home in 1 Corinthians 10:11-12. The Israelites were as much the people of God as we, yet most of them fell. Why should we think, then, that we have less need for watchfulness than they? Some have thought that the expression ‘our fathers’ implies that St Paul was here speaking to Jews only. But this is not necessary. For (1) he might have used the expression as being himself a Jew, and (2) the Israelites were the spiritual progenitors of the Christian Church. See Romans 4:16; Romans 9:5.

ὑπὸ τὴν νεφέλην. Cf. Exodus 13:20-22; Exodus 14:19; Exodus 40:34-38; Numbers 9:15-23; Numbers 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:33; Psalms 78:14; Psalms 105:39.

διὰ τῆς θαλάσσης διῆλθον. Exodus 14; Numbers 33:8; Joshua 4:23; Psalms 78:13.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 10:1

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