1 Corinthians 10:1

CHAPTER X.

Peculiar circumstances in the Jewish history were typical of

the greatest mysteries of the Gospel; particularly their

passing through the Red Sea, and being overshadowed with the

miraculous cloud, 1, 2.

The manna with which they were fed, 3.

And rock out of which they drank, 4.

The punishments inflicted on them for their disobedience are

warnings to us, 5.

We should not lust as they did, 6.

Nor commit idolatry, 7.

Nor fornication as they did; in consequence of which

twenty-three thousand of them were destroyed, 8.

Nor tempt Christ as they did, 9.

Nor murmur, 10.

All these transgressions and their punishments are recorded

as warnings to us, that we may not fall away from the grace

of God, 11, 12.

God never suffers any to be tempted above their strength, 13.

Idolatry must be detested, 14.

And the sacrament of the Lord's Supper properly considered

and taken, that God may not be provoked to punish us, 15-22.

There are some things which may be legally done which are not

expedient; and we should endeavour so to act as to edify each

other, 23, 24.

The question concerning eating things offered to idols

considered, and finally settled, 25-30.

We should do all things to the glory of God, avoid whatsoever

might be the means of stumbling another, and seek the profit

of others in spiritual matters rather than our own

gratification, 31-33.

NOTES ON CHAP. X.

Verse 1 Corinthians 10:1. I would not that ye should be ignorant] It seems as if the Corinthians had supposed that their being made partakers of the ordinances of the Gospel, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper, would secure their salvation, notwithstanding they might be found partaking of idolatrous feasts; as long, at least, as they considered an idol to be nothing in the world. To remove this destructive supposition, which would have led them to endless errors both in principle and practice, the apostle shows that the Jews had sacramental ordinances in the wilderness, similar to those of the Christians; and that, notwithstanding they had the typical baptism from the cloud, and the typical eucharist from the paschal lamb, and the manna that came down from heaven, yet, when they joined with idolaters and partook of idolatrous feasts, God was not only displeased with them, but signified this displeasure by pouring out his judgments upon them, so that in one day 23,000 of them were destroyed.

Under the cloud] It is manifest from Scripture that the miraculous cloud in the wilderness performed a three-fold office to the Israelites.

1. It was a cloud in the form of a pillar to direct their journeyings by day.

2. It was a pillar of fire to give light to the camp by night.

3. It was a covering for them during the day, and preserved them from the scorching rays of the sun; and supplied them with a sufficiency of aqueous particles, not only to cool that burning atmosphere, but to give refreshment to themselves and their cattle; and its humidity was so abundant that the apostle here represents the people as thoroughly sprinkled and enveloped in its aqueous vapour. Exodus 13:21.