1 Corinthians 10

Warnings from Israel's Example 1 Corinthians 10:6–11

⁶Verse 6. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. ⁷Verse 7. Don’t be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” ⁸Verse 8. Let us not commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell. ⁹Verse 9. Let us not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents. ¹⁰Verse 10. Don’t grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer. ¹¹Verse 11. Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

Caution Against Overconfidence 1 Corinthians 10:12–13

¹²Verse 12. Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall. ¹³Verse 13. No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Avoiding Idolatry and Its Consequences 1 Corinthians 10:14–22

¹⁴Verse 14. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵Verse 15. I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say. ¹⁶Verse 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ? ¹⁷Verse 17. Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread. ¹⁸Verse 18. Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? ¹⁹Verse 19. What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

²⁰Verse 20. But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons. ²¹Verse 21. You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. ²²Verse 22. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Guidance on Christian Freedom 1 Corinthians 10:23–30

²³Verse 23. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up. ²⁴Verse 24. Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor’s good. ²⁵Verse 25. Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience, ²⁶Verse 26. for “the earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness.” ²⁷Verse 27. But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience. ²⁸Verse 28. But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

²⁹Verse 29. Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience? ³⁰Verse 30. If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for something I give thanks for?

Living for God's Glory 1 Corinthians 10:31–33

³¹Verse 31. Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ³²Verse 32. Give no occasion for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God; ³³Verse 33. even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.