_THE SACRAMENTS OF THE JEWS ARE TYPES OF OURS, AND THEIR PUNISHMENTS EXAMPLES FOR US. WE MUST FLEE FROM IDOLATRY. WE MUST NOT MAKE THE LORD'S TABLE THE TABLE OF DEVILS: AND IN THINGS INDIFFERENT WE MUST HAVE REGARD FOR OUR BRETHREN._ _Anno Domini 57._ THE Apostle's design in this chapter cannot be... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER, BRETHREN,— It seems, from what is said in this chapter, as if the Corinthians had told St. Paul that the temptations and constraints they were under, of going to their heathen neighbours' feasts upon their sacrifices, were so many and so great, that there was no avoiding it; and therefore... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WERE ALL BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES— The Apostle is here warning the Corinthians against the commission of some vices, from too great a dependance on their Christian privileges. And this he does by reminding them of the Israelites; many of whom, though they enjoyed similar privileges, yet by their sins... [ Continue Reading ]
SPIRITUAL MEAT—SPIRITUAL DRINK— It is not necessary to understand by _the same meat and drink,_—the same by which genuine Christians are supported; for that could not properly be said of any Israelites who were not true believers: but the meaning is, that they all, good and bad, shared the same mira... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WITH MANY OF THEM— _But with the greater part of them._... [ Continue Reading ]
EVIL THINGS— The fault of the Israelites here referred to seems to be, their longing after flesh, Numbers 11 which cost many of them their lives; and therefore that which he guards the Corinthians against must be, their great propensity to the pagan feasts upon their sacrifices. See Psalms 78:30. Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
TO PLAY— Παιζειν signifies _to dance:_ feasting and dancing usually accompanied the heathen sacrifices. See Hammond, Whitby, and Elsner.... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER LET US COMMIT FORNICATION— This was common at the many idolatrous feasts among the heathen; and it was the more proper for the Apostle to caution these Christians against it, as it was proverbially called "the Corinthian practice." See the _Introduction_ to and _Inferences_ on ch. 1.... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER LET US TEMPT CHRIST— _To tempt_ signifies to disbelieve, after tokens sufficient to command our faith, and engage our obedience through grace. Though the word _him_ be not in the second clause, (_some of them also tempted_) it seems plainly to be implied.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE DESTROYER— The Jews generally interpret this of him, whom they stile "The danger of death," under the name of _Sammael._ See Exodus 12:23.Hebrews 11:28. Locke and Hammond.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENED, &C.— It is to be observed, that all these instancesmentionedbytheApostle, of the destruction which came upon the Israelites, who were in covenant with God, and partakers of those typical sacraments, were occasioned by their luxurious appetites about meat and drink, and... [ Continue Reading ]
COMMON TO MAN, &C.— 'Ανθωπινος,— which may signify, _proportionable to human strength,_ as well as _frequent to human creatures._ God encourages his people to hope for his presence and help in pressing danger. See ch. 1 Corinthians 1:9. Doddridge and Mintert.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CUP OF BLESSING, &C.— The Jews used to conclude the feast whereon the paschal lamb was eaten, with a _cup of wine._ This they called _the cup of blessing,_ and _the cup of praising,_ because at the time of drinking it, they sung a hymn of praise. We should likewise recollect, that in the early a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE, BEING MANY, &C.— This verse is still a further proof that _the cup of blessing,_ &c. is not, as some would urge, merely a commemoration of a deceased benefactor; but a commemoration of Christ's death and passion. In this verse the Apostle alludes to the Jewish custom of having but one loaf a... [ Continue Reading ]
YE CANNOT DRINK THE CUP, &C.— There still remains one more sense of the Lord's supper, which is, that it was a foederal rite or covenant: this is grounded upon the Apostle's reasoning in this and the preceding verses: "Those who eat of the sacrifices, says he, are partakers of the altar: 1 Corinthia... [ Continue Reading ]
DO WE PROVOKE THE LORD, &C.?— This alludes to the idea under which idolatry is represented as a kind of spiritual adultery, which moved the jealousy of God; though every deliberate sin is, in effect, a daring of his omnipotent vengeance. See Doddridge and Locke.... [ Continue Reading ]
_1 CORINTHIANS 10:23_.— The Apostle here proceeds with another argument against things offered to idols, wherein he shews the danger which might be in it, from the scandal it might give, supposing the thing lawful in itself. He had formerly treated on this subject, (ch. 8) so far as to let them see,... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NO MAN SEEK HIS OWN— This precept cannot be taken in a strict and literal sense, but should be interpreted comparatively, so as to understand the Apostle as exhorting them not to seek their own advantage entirely, or not so much as that of others. Mr. Locke's paraphrase is, "No one must seek bar... [ Continue Reading ]
WHATSOEVER IS SOLD IN THE SHAMBLES— Herodotus informs us, that the Egyptians, when they had cut off the head of the victim, used to carry the carcase to market, and sell it to the _Greeks,_ if they could find any to purchase; if not, they threw it into the river, judging it unlawful to eat it themse... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, &C.— For as God is the great Creator, Proprietor, and Disposer, sovereign Lord and Governor of the whole earth, and of all its fruits and products, (Psalms 24:1.) so he has given them for the service of men; and all their rich variety, for necessity and chaste delight, a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHY IS MY LIBERTY JUDGED OF— Some think that the meaning is, "Why should I use my liberty so, as to offend the conscience of any?"—Others think it is an objection in the mouth of the Corinthians, and to be thus understood: "But why should I suffer myself to be thus imposed upon, and receive law... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR, IF I, &C.— _For, if I eat_ or _partake with thanksgiving._... [ Continue Reading ]
WHETHER THEREFORE YE EAT— "Therefore on the whole, to conclude this discourse, since no one particular rule can be laid down to suit all the diversities of temper and apprehension which may arise; instead of uncharitable contentions with each other, or any thingwhich looks like mutual contempt, let... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER TO THE JEWS, NOR TO THE GENTILES— As these are both opposed to _the church of God,_ it is reasonable to conclude, that the Apostle speaks of _unconverted Jews_ and _Greeks,_ and refers to the danger there might be of prejudicing them against Christianity, by the indulgencies against which he... [ Continue Reading ]