1Cor 10:1-22 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 10:1-22: 10:1-22 After illustrating from his own life the key principle of giving up one’s rights for the sake of others (ch 9 ), Paul turns back to the specific question of eating meat sacrificed to idols (8:1-13 ). He warns believers of God’s wrath on those who sin, especially on those who engage in idolatry. Summary for 1Cor 10:1-11: 10:1-11 Even though the Israelites were God’s people and experienced his salvation and provision (see Exod 13:21-22 ; 14:21-29 ), they still came under his judgment because of their disobedience.

Summary for 1Cor 10:1-22: 10:1-22 ^a After illustrating from his own life the key principle of giving up one’s rights for the sake of others (ch 9 ^b), Paul turns back to the specific question of eating meat sacrificed to idols (8:1-13 ^c). He warns believers of God’s wrath on those who sin, especially on those who engage in idolatry.
Summary for 1Cor 10:1-11: 10:1-11 ^d Even though the Israelites were God’s people and experienced his salvation and provision (see Exod 13:21-22 ^e; 14:21-29 ^f), they still came under his judgment because of their disobedience.
10:2 ^g all of them were baptized: Paul draws a parallel with the baptized Corinthians.
Summary for 1Cor 10:3-4: 10:3-4 ^h Spiritual food ... spiritual water: God graciously and supernaturally provided food and water in the wilderness, especially for the people of Israel (see Exod 16:4-35 ⁱ; 17:1-7 ^j; Num 20:2-17 ^k). The Corinthians’ situation was analogous.

• The spiritual rock that traveled with them alludes to the rock that Moses struck to get water (Exod 17:1-7 ^l; Num 20:2-17 ^m). Early Jewish tradition understood both occurrences of the miracle to involve the same rock that was traveling with them.

• that rock was Christ: Paul’s interpretation of Israel’s experience provides a parallel between God’s provision in the wilderness and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 10:14-18 ⁿ; cp. John 4:14 ^o; 7:37-39 ^p; Rev 22:17 ^q). Both the Israelites and Christians share in the spiritual provisions of Christ; and just as the Israelites were therefore judged for their sins, so Christians will be judged if they sin (1 Cor 10:5-22 ^r).
10:6 ^s evil things: see Num 11:4-6 ^t, 34 ^u.
10:7 ^v Feasting and drinking refers to celebrations in honor of pagan gods; pagan revelry suggests wild partying with drinking and sex.
10:8 ^w See Num 25:1-9 ^x.
10:9 ^y Nor ... put Christ to the test: See Deut 6:16 ^z; Ps 78:18-20 ^aa; Matt 4:7 ^ab.

• Christ: Some manuscripts read the Lord, which probably represents a scribe’s attempt to harmonize with the Old Testament context.
10:10 ^ac See Num 16:13-14 ^ad, 41-49 ^ae.
Summary for 1Cor 10:12-13: 10:12-13 ^af Paul gives the Corinthians a final warning against falling into sin (cp. Rom 11:20-22 ^ag) and reminds them that God is faithful (see 1 Cor 1:9 ^ah; cp. Deut 7:9 ^ai; 1 Pet 4:19 ^aj). God will not allow them to be tempted (or tested; cp. Jas 1:2-4 ^ak) beyond their ability to endure, but will always provide a way out.
Summary for 1Cor 10:14-22: 10:14-22 ^al Paul warns his readers against anything that might be interpreted as idolatry (cp. 1 Jn 5:21 ^am), which includes eating food in honor of a pagan god.
Summary for 1Cor 10:16-18: 10:16-18 ^an Paul affirms the spiritual meaning of sacred meals. In the Lord’s Supper, believers share in the blood and body of Christ (see also 11:17-34 ^ao; Matt 26:26-28 ^ap; Mark 14:22-24 ^aq; Luke 22:19-20 ^ar). Sharing one loaf unites believers as one body in Christ, just as the pagans’ religious meals unite them with the gods they worship (see 1 Cor 10:19-21 ^as).
Summary for 1Cor 10:19-20: 10:19-20 ^at Idols have no reality or life (see 8:4-6 ^au), and sacrifices made to them accomplish nothing. The sacrifices pagans make to idols are actually unknowingly made to demons (see Deut 32:16-17 ^av; Ps 106:37 ^aw; Rev 9:20 ^ax). Those who share in their religious meals are thereby uniting themselves with demons.
10:21 ^ay Believers should avoid participating in religious meals eaten in a pagan temple (see 8:10 ^az), because those united to the Lord (Christ) cannot simultaneously be united to demons (see 2 Cor 6:14-16 ^ba).
10:22 ^bb To ignore Paul’s advice on this matter is to rouse the Lord’s jealousy and judgment, just as Israel did (see 10:6-11 ^bc; Exod 20:5 ^bd; Deut 32:21 ^be).