1 Corinthians 10:1

I would not that ye should be ignorant A characteristic expression of St Paul. Cf. ch. 1 Corinthians 12:1, and Romans 1:13; Rom 11:25; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

all our fathers The emphasis on - all" 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 tie Christian Church. See Romans 4:16; Romans 9:5.

were under the cloud Cf. Exodus 13:20-22; Exodus 14:19; Exodus 40:34-38; Numbers 9:16-23; Numbers 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:33; Psalms 78:14; Psalms 105:39.

passed through the sea Exodus 14.; Numbers 33:8; Joshua 4:23; Psalms 78:13.