In regard to the design of 1 Corinthians 10, commentators have not been agreed. Some have supposed that there is no connection with the preceding, but that this is a digression. The ancient Greek expositors generally, and some of the moderns, as Grotius, supposed that the connection was this: Paul h... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER, BRETHREN - But, or now (δε de). This verse, with the following illustrations 1 Corinthians 10:1, is properly connected in Paul’s argument with the statements which he had made in 1 Corinthians 8:8, etc., and is designed to show the danger which would result from their partaking of the feas... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WERE ALL BAPTIZED - In regard to the meaning of the word “baptized,” see the note at Matthew 3:6. We are not to suppose that the rite of baptism, as we understand it, was formally administered by Moses, or by any other person, to the Jews, for there is not the least evidence that any such rite w... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DID ALL EAT THE SAME SPIRITUAL MEAT - That is, “manna.” Exodus 16:15, Exodus 16:35; Nehemiah 9:15, Nehemiah 9:20. The word meat here is used in the old English sense of the word, to denote “food” in general. They lived on “manna.” The word “spiritual” here is evidently used to denote that which... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DID ALL DRINK THE SAME SPIRITUAL DRINK - The idea here is essentially the same as in the previous verse, that they had been highly favored of God, and enjoyed tokens of the divine care and guardianship. That was manifested in the miraculous supply of water in the desert, thus showing that they w... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WITH MANY OF THEM ... - That is, with their conduct. They rebelled and sinned, and were destroyed. The design of the apostle here is, to remind them that although they enjoyed so many privileges, yet they were destroyed; and thus to admonish the Corinthians that their privileges did not constitu... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THESE THINGS - The judgments inflicted on them by God for their sins. WERE OUR EXAMPLES - Greek: “types” (τύποι tupoi). Margin, “figures.” They were not designed to be types of us, but they are to be held up as furnishing an admonition to us, or a warning that we do not sin in the same way. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER BE YE IDOLATERS - This caution is evidently given in view of the danger to which they would be exposed if they partook of the feasts that were celebrated in honor of idols in their temples. The particular idolatry which is referred to here is, the worship of the golden calf that was made by... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER LET US COMMIT FORNICATION ... - The case referred to here was that of the licentious contact with the daughters of Moab, referred to in Numbers 25:1. AND FELL IN ONE DAY - Were slain for their sin by the plague that prevailed. THREE AND TWENTY THOUSAND - The Hebrew text in Numbers 25:9, is... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER LET US TEMPT CHRIST ... - The word “tempt,” when applied to man, means to present motives or inducements to sin; when used with reference to God, it means to try his patience, to provoke his anger, or to act in such a way as to see how much he will bear, and how long he will endure the wicke... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER MURMUR YE - Do not repine at the allotments of Providence, or complain of His dealings. AS SOME OF THEM ALSO MURMURED - Numbers 14:2. The ground of their complaining was, that they had been disappointed; that they had been brought out of a land of plenty into a wilderness of want; and that... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ENSAMPLES - Greek: “types” (τύποι tupoi). The same word which is used in 1 Corinthians 10:6. This verse is a repetition of the admonition contained in that verse, in order to impress it more deeply on the memory; see the note at 1 Corinthians 10:6. The sense is, not that these things took place... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE - As the result of all these admonitions. Let this be the effect of all that we learn from the unhappy self-confidence of the Jews, to admonish us not to put reliance on our own strength. THAT THINKETH HE STANDETH - That supposes himself to be firm in the love of God, and in the knowledge... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE HATH NO TEMPTATION TAKEN YOU - What temptation the apostle refers to here is not quite certain. It is probable, however, that he refers to such as would, in their circumstances, have a tendency to induce them to forsake their allegiance to their Lord, and to lead them into idolatry and sin. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE - In view of the dangers and temptations that beset you; in view of your own feebleness and the perils to which you would be exposed in the idol temples, etc. FLEE FROM IDOLATRY - Escape from the service of idols; from the feasts celebrated in honor of them; from the temples where they are... [ Continue Reading ]
I SPEAK AS TO WISE MEN ... - I speak to people qualified to understand the subject; and present reasons which will commend themselves to you. The reasons referred to are those which occupy the remainder of the chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CUP OF BLESSING WHICH WE BLESS - The design of this verse and the following verses seems to be, to prove that Christians, by partaking of the Lord’s Supper, are solemnly set apart to the service of the Lord Jesus; that they acknowledge Him as their Lord, and dedicate themselves to him, and that... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE - We Christians. “Being many.” Greek “The many” (οἱ πολλοί hoi polloi). This idea is not, as our translation would seem to indicate, that Christians were numerous, but that “all” (for οἱ πολλοί hoi polloi is here evidently used in the sense of παντες pantes, “all”) were united, and consti... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD ISRAEL - Look at the Jews. The design here is to illustrate the sentiment which he was establishing, by a reference to the fact that among the Jews those who partook of the same sacrifices were regarded as being one people, and as worshipping one God. So, if they partook of the sacrifices off... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SAY I THEN? - This is in the present tense; τί οὖν φημι ti oun phēmi, what do I say? What is my meaning? What follows from this? Do I mean to say that an idol is anything; that it has a real existence? Does my reasoning lead to that conclusion; and am I to be understood as affirming that an... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT - The negative here is omitted, but is understood. The ellipsis of a negative after an interrogative sentence is common in the Classical writers as well as in the Scriptures. Bloomfield. The sense is, “No; I do not say this, but I say that there are reasons why you should not partake of those sa... [ Continue Reading ]
YE CANNOT DRINK THE CUP OF THE LORD ... - This does not mean that they had no physical ability to do this, or that it was a natural impossibility; for they certainly had power to do it. But it must mean that they could not “consistently” do it. It was not fit, proper, decent. They were solemnly boun... [ Continue Reading ]
DO WE PROVOKE THE LORD TO JEALOUSY? - That is, shall we, by joining in the worship of idols, “provoke” or “irritate” God, or excite him to anger? This is evidently the meaning of the word παραζηλοῦμεν parazēloumen, rendered “provoke to jealousy.” The word קנא qaana', usually rendered by this word... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THINGS ARE LAWFUL FOR ME - See the note at 1 Corinthians 6:12. This is a repetition of what he had said before; and it is here applied to the subject of eating the meat that had been offered to idols. The sense is,” Though it may be admitted that it was strictly “lawful” to partake of that meat,... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NO MAN SEEK HIS OWN - This should be properly interpreted of the matter under discussion, though the direction assumes the form of a general principle. Originally it meant, “Let no man, in regard to the question about partaking of the meat offered in sacrifice to idols, consult his own pleasure,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHATSOEVER IS SOLD IN THE SHAMBLES - In the market. The meat of animals offered in sacrifice would be exposed there to sale as well as other meat. The apostle says that it might be purchased, since the mere fact that it had been offered in sacrifice could not change its quality, or render it unfit f... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S - This is quoted from Psalms 24:1. The same sentiment is also found in Psalms 50:11, and in Deuteronomy 10:14. It is here urged as a reason why it; is right to partake of the meat offered in the market. It all belongs to the Lord. It does not really belong to the idol, ev... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY OF THEM THAT BELIEVE NOT - That are not Christians; that are still pagans. BID YOU TO A FEAST - Evidently not a feast in the temple of an idol, but at his own house. If he asks you to partake of his hospitality. AND YE BE DISPOSED TO GO - Greek, “And you will to go.” It is evidently implied... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF ANY MAN - If any fellow guest; any scrupulous fellow Christian who may be present. That the word “any” (τις tis) refers to a fellow guest seems evident; for it is not probable that the host would point out any part of the food on his own table, of the lawfulness of eating which he would suppo... [ Continue Reading ]
CONSCIENCE, I SAY, NOT THINE OWN - I know that you may have no scruples on the subject. I do not mean that with you this need be a matter of conscience. I do not put it on that; ground, as if an idol were anything, or as if it were in itself wrong, or as if the quality of the meat so offered had bee... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF I BY GRACE BE A PARTAKER - Or rather, “If I partake by grace; if by the grace and mercy of God, I have a right to partake of this; yet why should I so conduct as to expose myself to the reproaches and evil surmises of others? Why should I lay myself open to be blamed on the subject of eating,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHETHER THEREFORE YE EAT OR DRINK - This direction should be strictly and properly applied to the case in hand; that is, to the question about eating and drinking the things that had been offered in sacrifice to idols. Still, however, it contains a general direction that is applicable to eating and... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE NONE OFFENCE - Be inoffensive; that is, do not act so as to lead others into sin; see the note at Romans 14:13. NEITHER TO THE JEWS ... - To no one, though they are the foes of God or strangers to him. To the Jews be inoffensive, because they think that the least approach to idol worship is to... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN AS I ... - Paul here proposes his own example as their guide. The example which he refers to is that which he had exhibited as described in this and the preceding chapters. His main object had been to please all people; that is, not to alarm their prejudices, or needlessly to excite their oppos... [ Continue Reading ]