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Scripture reading – 1 Corinthians 10-11

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Today’s Scripture reading (1 Corinthians 10-11) further addresses areas of purity raised in a letter from the Corinthian church to Paul (1 Corinthians 7:1). The Corinthian believers sought to learn the laws regarding sexuality between men and women, marriage, divorce, and remarriage (1 Corinthians 7).

1 Corinthians 8 focused on whether or not believers had the liberty to eat “things offered unto idols” (8:1-8). Paul admonished that the issue was not a question of freedom but brotherly love. He commanded them to do nothing to offend the conscience of other believers (8:9-13).

In chapter 9, Paul defended his rights as an apostle (1 Corinthians 9:1-14), although he chose to forgo his “reward” as a preacher of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:15-23). 1 Corinthians 9 concluded with Paul calling on believers to live spiritually disciplined lives by following the example of a runner who disciplines his body in preparation for a race (1 Corinthians 9:24-26a). He concluded his challenge by drawing an analogy of the spiritual life with the disciplines of a boxer preparing for a fight (1 Corinthians 9:26b).

Paul affirmed the freedoms believers have in Christ and challenged them by his example, writing: “27But I keep under [discipline; train] my body, and bring it into subjection [enslave; subdue his lusts and desires]: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway [a spiritual shipwreck]” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Spiritual Lessons from Israel’s History

1 Corinthians 10

The flow of Paul’s letter is broken with a chapter break; however, the word “Moreover” continues the apostle’s exhortation to believers who do not want to become a spiritual “castaway” (1 Corinthians 10:1). With the backdrop of Paul’s challenge to believers to follow the physical disciplines of an athlete, he warned believers to not “be ignorant” (i.e., presumptuous, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4).

Spiritual Lessons from Israel’s History (1 Corinthians 10:1-12) 

Paul reminded believers how God delivered the children of Israel from slavery. He protected their fathers “under the cloud” by day, and “all passed through the sea” that He divided for His people to find safety in the wilderness” (Exodus 13:21; 14:16-19).

The children of Israel identified with Moses and God’s covenant and were fed by daily manna (1 Corinthians 10:3; John 6:35, 48). When they thirsted, they drank “the same spiritual drink…that spiritual Rock…that was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4). Yet, not all Israel were believers. Only two (Joshua and Caleb) who left Egypt lived to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land (1 Corinthians 10:5).

Why did Paul refer to Israel’s troubles in the wilderness when many Corinthians believers were Greeks by birth?

The answer to that question begins with verse 6 and is instructive to 21st-century believers. Paul wrote: “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted” (1 Corinthians 10:6). In other words, those things recorded in the Old Testament are relevant to every generation of believers. The lusts and sinful cravings Israel entertained in the wilderness and the consequences that befell them served as a warning to all believers. Though free from Egyptian slavery, the children of Israel had failed to discipline their bodies regarding sinful lusts and disobeyed God’s Law and Commandments (1 Corinthians 10:6).

These Things Happened...for Examples

Paul identified four sins that Israel committed in the wilderness: Idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:7), Fornication (1 Corinthians 10:8), Tempting (i.e., provoking) the Lord to anger (1 Corinthians 10:9), and Murmuring (i.e., complaining, 1 Corinthians 10:10).

As Israel was freed from Egypt, the Corinthian believers were saved from the sins of Corinth. Paul challenged them, “Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them [children of Israel]; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play” (1 Corinthians 10:7; Exodus 32:1-6). The children of Israel worshipped and offered sacrifices to the golden calf Aaron fashioned. Then they ate and drank their sacrifices and “rose up to play” (probably descriptive of immoral conduct, 1 Corinthians 10:8).

Paul explained that the consequences of sin that Israel suffered were to serve as a warning to every generation of believers. Paul warned: “Now all these things [the thousands slain in God’s judgment] happened unto them (Numbers 16:32-35; 21; 25:2-9) for ensamples [example; pattern]: and they are written for our admonition [warnings; instructions], upon whom the ends of the world are come [the last days]” (1 Corinthians 10:11).

Closing thoughts: A Warning and an Exhortation (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

Paul warned Corinthians believers, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Being presumptuous in sin is not only foolish, it is dangerous! The “fall” mentioned in verse 12 was most likely that of falling into sin. Solomon warned his son of the same danger when he wrote, “Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

Trials, troubles, and temptations are part of our earthly sojourn; however, we are promised: “There hath no temptation [no trial or trouble] taken [overtaken; or taken hold of] you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation[trial; trouble] also make a way to escape [literally, to pass through], that ye may be able to bear it [endure]” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Generations of believers have gone before us and faced similar trials. Yet, those saints found that they could trust God. He has not promised that we will be spared trials; however, He has assured us that He is faithful and we will “be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Proverbs 3:5–65Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith 

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