1Cor 10:3-4 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Cor 10:3-4: 10:3-4 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 ; 17:1-7 ; Num 20:2-17 ). 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 ; Num 20:2-17 ). 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 ; cp. John 4:14 ; 7:37-39 ; Rev 22:17 ). 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 ).

a10:3-4►

bExod 16:4-35►

c17:1-7►

dNum 20:2-17►

eExod 17:1-7►

fNum 20:2-17►

g1 Cor 10:14-18►

hJohn 4:14►

i7:37-39►

jRev 22:17►

k1 Cor 10:5-22►

‏ 1 Corinthians 10:3-4

Summary for 1Cor 10:3-4: 10:3-4 ^a 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 ^b; 17:1-7 ^c; Num 20:2-17 ^d). 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 ^e; Num 20:2-17 ^f). 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 ^g; cp. John 4:14 ^h; 7:37-39 ⁱ; Rev 22:17 ^j). 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 ^k).