Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Corinthians 10

The Israelites were God's people and experienced his salvation and provision (see Exodus 13:21–22; 14:21–29). However, they still faced his judgment because they disobeyed.

After sharing a personal example about giving up one's rights for others (chapter 9), Paul addresses the issue of eating meat offered to idols (8:1–13). He warns believers about God's anger towards those who sin, especially those involved in idol worship.

They were all baptized: Paul begins a comparison. He connects the Israelites in the time of the exodus with the Corinthians who were baptized.

• the same spiritual food: God provided food and water supernaturally in the wilderness for the Israelites (see Exodus 16:4–35; 17:1–7; Numbers 20:2–17). The Corinthians faced a similar situation.

• the spiritual rock that accompanied them: refers to the rock Moses struck to get water (Exodus 17:1–7; Numbers 20:2–17). Early Jewish tradition believed both miracles involved the same traveling rock.

• that rock was Christ: Paul explains Israel's experience as a parallel to God's provision in the wilderness and the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 10:14–18; compare John 4:14; 7:37–39; Revelation 22:17). Both Israelites and Christians share in Christ's spiritual provisions. Just as the Israelites were judged for their sins, Christians will also be judged if they sin (1 Corinthians 10:5–22).

evil things: see Numbers 11:4–6, 34.

Feasting and drinking involve celebrations for pagan gods. Pagan revelry means wild parties with drinking and sexual activities.

Refer to Numbers 25:1–9.

• We should not test Christ: See Deuteronomy 6:16; Psalm 78:18–20; Matthew 4:7.

• Christ: Some manuscripts say the Lord, likely a scribe's effort to match the Old Testament context.

Refer to Numbers 16:13–14, 41–49.

Paul warns the Corinthians not to fall into sin (compare Romans 11:20–22). He reminds them that God is faithful (see 1 Corinthians 1:9; compare Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Peter 4:19). God will not let them face temptation (compare James 1:2–4) beyond what they can handle. He will always provide a way out.

Paul warns his readers against anything that might be seen as idolatry (see 1 John 5:21), including eating food to honor a pagan god.

Paul explains 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; Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; Luke 22:19–20). Sharing one loaf unites believers as one body in Christ, similar to how pagans’ religious meals connect them with the gods they worship (see 1 Corinthians 10:19–21).

Idols lack reality or life (see 8:4–6), and sacrifices to them achieve nothing. When pagans sacrifice to idols, they unknowingly sacrifice to demons (see Deuteronomy 32:16–17; Psalm 106:37; Revelation 9:20). By participating in these religious meals, people unite with demons.

Believers should avoid joining in religious meals in a pagan temple (see 8:10). Those united with the Lord (Christ) cannot also unite with demons (see 2 Corinthians 6:14–16).

If you ignore Paul's advice on this matter, you may provoke the Lord's jealousy and judgment, as Israel did (see 10:6–11; Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 32:21).

Paul concludes the discussion started in 8:1 with guidance on when Christians may eat meat offered to an idol and when they should not (see study note on 1 Corinthians 8:1–11:1). His guidance emphasizes the principle of giving up one's rights out of love (see also 8:13–9:23).

• "Everything is permissible": Paul is likely quoting a common saying among the Corinthians and explaining it.

• Paul clarifies a Christian’s freedom by stressing the importance of doing what benefits others (see 6:12; 10:32–33; Romans 14:13–15, 19–21; 15:1–2; compare Philippians 2:3–4).

When Christians are invited to a meal with a non-believer, they can eat what is served unless told the meat was offered to an idol. In that case, Christians should not eat it to respect the other person's beliefs. The person might think eating the meat honors the idol (see 8:7, 9–10; compare Romans 14:13–15, 20–23).

These two questions are hard to understand in relation to 10:28–29a. Some translations place 10:28–29a in parentheses, suggesting these questions reflect Paul’s beliefs, continuing from 10:27.

Paul ends his discussion by summarizing two principles to guide Christian behavior:

1. Believers should do everything to honor God (see Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11).

2. Believers should avoid offending others and should not harm another person's Christian faith (compare 1 Corinthians 8:9, 13; 1 John 2:10). Christians should prioritize what is best for others over personal privilege (compare Romans 14:13–15, 19–21; 15:1–2). These two principles are central to Paul's advice on practical Christian living in this letter.