FOR (γαρ). Correct text, not δε. Paul appeals to the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness in confirmation of his statement concerning himself in 1 Corinthians 9:26 and as a powerful warning to the Corinthians who may be tempted to flirt with the idolatrous practices of their neighbours.... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE ALL BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES IN THE CLOUD AND IN THE SEA (παντες εις τον Μωυσην εβαπτισαντο εν τη νεφελη κα εν τη θαλασση). The picture is plain enough. The mystic cloud covered the people while the sea rose in walls on each side of them as they marched across. B K L P read εβαπτισαντο (causative... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SAME SPIRITUAL MEAT (το αυτο πνευματικον βρωμα). Westcott and Hort needlessly bracket to αυτο. Βρωμα is food, not just flesh. The reference is to the manna (Exodus 16:13) which is termed "spiritual" by reason of its supernatural character. Jesus called himself the true bread from heaven (John... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEY DRANK OF A SPIRITUAL ROCK THAT FOLLOWED THEM (επινον εκ πνευματικης ακολουθουσης πετρας). Change to the imperfect επινον shows their continual access to the supernatural source of supply. The Israelites were blessed by the water from the rock that Moses smote at Rephidim (Exodus 17:6) and... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH MOST OF THEM (εν τοις πλειοσιν αυτων). "A mournful understatement," for only two (Caleb and Joshua) actually reached the Promised Land (Numbers 14:30-32). All the rest were rejected or αδοκιμο (1 Corinthians 9:27).WERE OVERTHROWN (κατεστρωθησαν). First aorist passive indicative of καταστρω... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE OUR EXAMPLES (τυπο ημων εγενηθησαν). More exactly, examples for us (objective genitive ημων, not subjective genitive, of us). The word τυπο (our types) comes from τυπτω, to strike, and meant originally the mark of a blow as the print of the nails (John 20:25), then a figure formed by a blow l... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER BE YE IDOLATERS (μηδε ειδωλολατρα γινεσθε). Literally, stop becoming idolaters, implying that some of them had already begun to be. The word ειδωλολατρης seems to be a Christian formation to describe the Christian view. Eating τα ειδωλοθυτα might become a stepping-stone to idolatry in som... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER LET US COMMIT FORNICATION (μηδε πορνευωμεν). More exactly, And let us cease practicing fornication as some were already doing (1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 7:2). The connection between idolatry and fornication was very close (see Jowett, _Epistles of Paul_, II, p. 70) and see about B... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER LET US TEMPT THE LORD (μηδε εκπειραζωμεν τον Κυριον). So the best MSS. instead of Christ. This compound occurs in LXX and in N.T. always about Christ (here and Matthew 4:7; Luke 4:12; Luke 10:25). Let us cease sorely (εκ-) tempting the Lord by such conduct.AND PERISHED BY THE SERPENTS (κ... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER MURMUR YE (μηδε γογγυζετε). Implying that some of them were murmuring. For this late picturesque onomatopoetic verb see on Matthew 20:11. The reference seems to be to Numbers 16:41 after the punishment of Korah.BY THE DESTROYER (υπο του ολοθρευτου). This word, from ολοθρευω (late verb f... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THESE THINGS HAPPENED UNTO THEM (ταυτα δε συνεβαινον εκεινοις). Imperfect tense because they happened from time to time.BY WAY OF EXAMPLE (τυπικως). Adverb in sense of τυπο in verse 1 Corinthians 10:6. Only instance of the adverb except in ecclesiastical writers after this time, but adjecti... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST HE FALL (μη πεση). Negative purpose with μη and second aorist active subjunctive of πιπτω.... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH TAKEN (ειληφεν). Perfect active indicative of λαμβανω.BUT SUCH AS MAN CAN BEAR (ε μη ανθρωπινος). Except a human one. Old adjective meaning falling to the lot of man.ABOVE THAT YE ARE ABLE (υπερ ο δυνασθε). Ellipsis, but plain. There is comfort in that God is faithful, trustworthy (πιστο... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE (διοπερ). Powerfully Paul applies the example of the Israelites to the perilous state of the Corinthians about idolatry. See on verse 1 Corinthians 10:7 for word ειδωλολατρεια.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS TO WISE MEN (ως φρονιμοις). No sarcasm as in 2 Corinthians 11:19, but plea that they make proper use of the mind (φρεν) given them.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CUP OF BLESSING (το ποτηριον της ευλογιας). The cup over which we pronounce a blessing as by Christ at the institution of the ordinance.A COMMUNION OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST (κοινωνια του αιματος του Χριστου). Literally, a participation in (objective genitive) the blood of Christ. The word κοιν... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE BREAD (εις αρτος). One loaf.WHO ARE MANY (ο πολλο). The many.WE ALL (ο παντες). We the all, the whole number, ο παντες being in apposition with the subjectWE (ημεις unexpressed).PARTAKE (μετεχομεν). Have a part with or in, share in. See on 1 Corinthians 9:12; Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 5:1... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THE FLESH (κατα σαρκα). The literal Israel, the Jewish people, not the spiritual Israel (Ισραηλ κατα πνευμα) composed of both Jews and Gentiles, the true children of faith (Romans 2:28; Romans 9:8; Galatians 3:7).COMMUNION WITH THE ALTAR (κοινωνο του θυσιαστηριου). Same idea in κοινωνο par... [ Continue Reading ]
A THING SACRIFICED TO IDOLS (ειδωλοθυτον). See on Acts 15:29; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 8:4.IDOL (ειδωλον). Image of a god. See on Acts 7:41; Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 8:4; 1 Corinthians 8:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I SAY THAT (αλλ' οτ). The verb φημ (I say) must be repeated from verse 1 Corinthians 10:19 before οτ.TO DEMONS, AND NOT TO GOD (δαιμονιοις κα ου θεω). Referring to LXX text of Deuteronomy 32:17. It is probable that by ου θεω Paul means "to a no-god" as also in Deuteronomy 32:21 επ' ουκ εθνε... [ Continue Reading ]
YE CANNOT (ου δυνασθε). Morally impossible to drink the Lord's cup and the cup of demons, to partake of the Lord's table and the table of demons.OF THE TABLE OF THE LORD (τραπεζης Κυριου). No articles, but definite idea. Τραπεζα is from τετρα (four) and πεζα (a foot), four-footed. HereTABLE me... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVOKE TO JEALOUSY (παραζηλουμεν). The very word used in Deuteronomy 32:21 of the insolence of the old Israelites. Quoted in Romans 10:19. Such double-dealing now will do this very thing.STRONGER THAN HE (ισχυροτερο αυτου). Comparative adjective followed by the ablative.... [ Continue Reading ]
See on 1 Corinthians 6:12 forLAWFUL (εξεστιν) andEXPEDIENT (συμφερε).EDIFY NOT (ουκ οικοδομε). Build up. Explanation ofEXPEDIENT (συμφερε).... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NO MAN SEEK HIS OWN (μηδεις το εαυτου ζητειτω). This is Paul's rule for social relations (1 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 6:2; Romans 14:7; Romans 15:2; Philippians 2:1) and is the way to do what is expedient and what builds up.HIS NEIGHBOUR'S GOOD (το του ετερου). Literally, "the affair of th... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE SHAMBLES (εν μακελλω). Only here in N.T. A transliterated Latin word _macellum_, possibly akin to μαχερια and the Hebrew word for enclosure, though occurring in Ionic and Laconian and more frequent in the Latin. It occurs in Dio Cassius and Plutarch and in the papyri and inscriptions for ... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse gives the reason for Paul's advice. It is a quotation from Psalms 24:1 and was a common form of grace before meals.FULNESS (πληρωμα). Old word from πληροω, to fill, here that with which a thing is filled, whatever fills the earth.... [ Continue Reading ]
BIDDETH YOU (καλε υμας). To a general banquet, but not to a temple feast (1 Corinthians 8:10) which is prohibited. If a pagan invites Christians to their homes to a banquet, one is to act like a gentleman.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF ANY MAN SAY UNTO YOU (εαν δε τις υμιν ειπη). Condition of third class. Suppose at such a banquet a "weak" brother makes the point to you: "This hath been offered in sacrifice" (τουτο ιεροθυτον εστιν). Hιεροθυτον, late word in Plutarch, rare in inscriptions and papyri, only here in N.T.EAT... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHY IS MY LIBERTY JUDGED BY ANOTHER CONSCIENCE? (ινα τ γαρ η ελευθερια μου κρινετα υπο αλλης συνειδησεωσ;). Supply γενητα (deliberative subjunctive) after τ. Paul deftly puts himself in the place of the strong brother at such a banquet who is expected to conform his conscience to that of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Paul carries on the supposed objective to his principle of love. Why incur the risk of being evil spoken of (βλασφημουμα) for the sake of maintaining one's liberty? Is it worth it? See Romans 14:6 where Paul justifies the conscience of one who eats the meat and of one who does not. Saying grace over... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE GLORY OF GOD (εις δοξαν θεου). This is the ruling motive in the Christian's life, not just having his own way about whims and preferences.... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE NO OCCASION OF STUMBLING (απροσκοπο). Late word and in papyri, only three times in N.T. (here; Philippians 1:10; Acts 24:16). See on Acts 24:16. Here in active sense, not tripping others by being a stumbling-block, as in Sirach 32:21, but passive in Acts 24:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE OWN PROFIT (το εμουτου συμφερον). Old word from συμφερω, to bear together, and explains use of verb in verse 1 Corinthians 10:23.THAT THEY MAY BE SAVED (ινα σωθωσιν). First aorist passive subjunctive of σωζω, to save, with ινα purpose clause with same high motive as in 1 Corinthians 9:22.... [ Continue Reading ]