Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant(A) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud(B) and that they all passed through the sea.(C) They were all baptized into(D) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food(E) and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock(F) that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.(G)

Now these things occurred as examples(H) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters,(I) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[a](J) We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.(K) We should not test Christ,[b](L) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.(M) 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did(N)—and were killed(O) by the destroying angel.(P)

11 These things happened to them as examples(Q) and were written down as warnings for us,(R) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.(S) 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,(T) be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;(U) he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear.(V) But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

14 Therefore, my dear friends,(W) flee from idolatry.(X) 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break(Y) a participation in the body of Christ?(Z) 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,(AA) for we all share the one loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices(AB) participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(AC) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(AD) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.(AE) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(AF) Are we stronger than he?(AG)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(AH) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(AI)

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(AJ) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[f](AK)

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(AL) without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.(AM) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(AN) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(AO)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(AP) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(AQ) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(AR) 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(AS) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(AT) so that they may be saved.(AU)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1

10 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken 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 also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Avoid Israel’s Mistakes

10 For (A)I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all (B)under the cloud and they all (C)passed through the sea; and they all were (D)baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and they all (E)ate the same spiritual food, and all (F)drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was [a]Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased; for their dead bodies were (G)spread out in the wilderness.

Now these things happened as (H)examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as (I)they indeed craved them. Do not be (J)idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “(K)The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to (L)play.” Nor are we to commit sexual immorality, as (M)some of them [b]did, and (N)twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor are we to put the Lord to the test, as (O)some of them [c]did, and were killed by the snakes. 10 Nor (P)grumble, as some of them [d]did, and (Q)were killed by the (R)destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an (S)example, and (T)they were written for our instruction, upon whom (U)the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let the one who (V)thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and (W)God is faithful, [e]so He will not allow you to be (X)tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

14 Therefore, my (Y)beloved, flee from (Z)idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise people; you then, judge what I say. 16 Is the (AA)cup of blessing which we bless not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is the (AB)bread which we break not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Since there is one loaf, we (AC)who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf. 18 Look at [f]the people of (AD)Israel; are those who (AE)eat the sacrifices not partners in the altar? 19 What do I mean then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or (AF)that an idol is [g]anything? 20 No, but I say that things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they (AG)sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons. 21 (AH)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and (AI)the table of demons. 22 Or do we (AJ)provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not (AK)stronger than He, are we?

23 (AL)All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things [h](AM)build people up. 24 No one is to (AN)seek his own advantage, but rather that of his [i]neighbor. 25 (AO)Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions, for the sake of conscience; 26 (AP)for the earth is the Lords, and [j]all it contains. 27 If (AQ)one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, (AR)eat anything that is set before you without asking questions, for the sake of conscience. 28 But (AS)if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of that one who informed you and for the sake of conscience; 29 Now by “conscience” I do not mean your own, but the other person’s; for (AT)why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, (AU)why am I slandered about that for which I (AV)give thanks?

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or (AW)whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. 32 (AX)Do not offend Jews or Greeks, or (AY)the church of God; 33 just as I also (AZ)please everyone in all things, (BA)not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, (BB)so that they may be saved.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:4 I.e., the Messiah
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:8 Lit committed sexual immorality
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Lit made trial
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:10 Lit grumbled
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Lit who will not
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:18 Lit Israel according to the flesh
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:19 I.e., anything real
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:23 Or edify
  9. 1 Corinthians 10:24 Lit the other
  10. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Lit its fullness

Varnande exempel

10 (A) Bröder, jag vill att ni ska veta att alla våra fäder var under molnskyn och att alla gick genom havet.[a] Alla blev de döpta i molnskyn och havet till gemenskap med Mose.[b] (B) Alla åt de samma andliga mat[c], och alla drack de samma andliga dryck. De drack ur en andlig klippa som följde dem[d], och den klippan var Kristus.

(C) Men de flesta av dem hade Gud inte behag till, utan de föll och låg utspridda i öknen. (D) Det som hände dem har blivit ett varnande exempel för oss, för att vi inte ska ha begär till det onda som de hade. Bli inte heller avgudadyrkare som några av dem, som det står skrivet: Folket satte sig för att äta och dricka och reste sig för att roa sig.[e] Vi ska inte heller begå sexuell synd som några av dem gjorde – på en enda dag föll tjugotretusen[f]. (E) Och vi ska inte fresta Kristus som några av dem gjorde – de dödades av ormar. 10 Klaga inte heller som några av dem gjorde – de dödades av fördärvaren.[g] 11 (F) Det som hände dem är exempel, och det skrevs ner för att varna oss som har världens slut inpå oss.

12 (G) Därför ska den som tror sig stå se till att han inte faller. 13 Ingen annan frestelse[h] har drabbat er än vad människor får möta. Och Gud är trofast, han ska inte tillåta att ni frestas över er förmåga. Samtidigt med frestelsen kommer han också att ge en utväg, så att ni kan härda ut.

Nattvarden och offermåltiderna

14 (H) Därför, mina älskade, fly avgudadyrkan! 15 Jag talar till förståndiga människor. Bedöm själva vad jag säger. 16 (I) Välsignelsens bägare[i] som vi välsignar, är den inte gemenskap med Kristi blod? Brödet som vi bryter, är det inte gemenskap med Kristi kropp? 17 (J) Eftersom brödet är ett, är vi som är många en enda kropp, för alla får vi del av ett och samma bröd. 18 (K) Se på det jordiska Israel. Har inte de som äter av offren del i altaret?

19 (L) Så vad menar jag? Att avgudaoffer betyder något eller att en avgud betyder något? 20 (M) Nej, men vad hedningarna offrar, det offrar de åt onda andar och inte åt Gud, och jag vill inte att ni ska ha gemenskap med de onda andarna. 21 (N) Ni kan inte dricka både Herrens bägare och onda andars bägare.[j] Ni kan inte ha del både i Herrens bord och i onda andars bord. 22 (O) Eller vill vi utmana Herren? Är vi starkare än han?

Samvetets frihet

23 (P) Allt är tillåtet, men allt är inte nyttigt. Allt är tillåtet, men allt bygger inte upp. 24 (Q) Ingen ska söka sitt eget bästa, utan den andres. 25 Ät allt som säljs på torget utan att ställa frågor för samvetets skull, 26 för jorden är Herrens med allt vad den rymmer.[k]

27 Om någon av dem som inte tror bjuder hem er och ni vill gå, ät då allt som sätts fram åt er utan att ställa frågor för samvetets skull. 28 (R) Men om någon skulle säga till er: "Det här är offerkött", avstå då från att äta av hänsyn till den som sade det och för samvetets skull.

29 (S) Jag menar då inte ditt eget samvete utan den andres. Varför ska min frihet dömas av en annans samvete? 30 (T) Om jag äter med tacksamhet, varför blir jag då kritiserad för något som jag tackar Gud för?

31 (U) Alltså: om ni äter eller dricker eller vad ni än gör, så gör allt till Guds ära. 32 (V) Väck inte anstöt vare sig hos judar eller greker eller i Guds församling. 33 (W) Själv försöker jag i allt foga mig efter alla och söker inte mitt eget bästa utan de mångas, för att de ska bli frälsta.

Footnotes

  1. 10:1 molnskyn … havet   Efter uttåget ur Egypten leddes Israels folk av Guds närvaro i form av en molnsky till Röda havet (2 Mos 13:21f).
  2. 10:2 döpta … till gemenskap med Mose   Mose framställs här som en förebild till Kristus.
  3. 10:3 samma andliga mat   Mannat från Gud (se 2 Mos 16:24f, Joh 6:31).
  4. 10:4 en andlig klippa som följde dem   Eftersom vattnet ur klippan nämns på två ställen under ökenvandringen (2 Mos 17:6, 4 Mos 20:8f) uttrycktes det i en rabbinsk tradition som att klippan följde folket.
  5. 10:7 roa sig   med dans kring guldkalven (2 Mos 32:6, 18f).
  6. 10:8 på en enda dag föll tjugotretusen   Tretusen dödades med svärd (2 Mos 32:27f), de övriga av Herrens straffdom (2 Mos 32:35).
  7. 10:10 fördärvaren   Ängeln som utförde Guds straffdomar (4 Mos 16, jfr 2 Mos 12:23, 2 Sam 24:16).
  8. 10:13 frestelse   Annan översättning: "prövning" (jfr "påfrestning"). Varje frestelse är en prövning, och varje prövning är en frestelse att överge Gud.
  9. 10:16 välsignelsens bägare   Den bägare över vilken judarna uttalade välsignelsen eller lovprisningen till Gud efter måltiden (jfr 11:25). Här syftar det på nattvardsbägaren.
  10. 10:21 onda andars bägare   Dryckesoffer till hedniska gudar var ett vanligt inslag vid måltider i den antika grekiska världen.
  11. 10:26 Ps 24:1.