1 Corinthians 10
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 10
The Lesson of Israel’s Past.[a] 1 Brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that our ancestors were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, 2 and they were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 All ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink—for they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the desert.
6 These events occurred to offer examples for us so that we might not desire evil things as they did. 7 Do not become idolaters, as some of them did. It is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to engage in revelry.”
8 Let us not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand of them died in a single day. 9 Let us not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and they were destroyed by serpents. 10 And do not complain, as some of them did, and they were slain by the Destroyer.[b] 11 All these things happened to them to serve as an example, and they have been written down as a warning to us upon whom the end of the ages has come.
12 Therefore, if you think you are standing securely, take care that you do not fall 13 No trial has confronted you except what a person can stand. God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength. But together with the trial he will also provide a way out and the strength to bear it.
14 The Eucharist Versus Pagan Sacrifices.[c] Therefore, my dear friends, avoid idolatry at all costs.[d] 15 I am talking to you as sensible people. Judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
18 Consider the people of Israel.[e] Are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What then am I implying? That meat sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
20 No, I simply mean that pagan sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to become partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Do we truly wish to provoke the Lord to jealous anger?[f] Are we stronger than he is?
23 Concerning Idol Offerings.“All things are lawful,” you may say—but not all things are beneficial. All things may be lawful—but not all things are constructive. 24 No one should seek his own advantage in preference to that of his neighbor. 25 You may eat whatever meat is sold in the market without raising questions on grounds of conscience, 26 for “the earth and all it contains belong to the Lord.”
27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you decide to accept, eat whatever is set before you without raising any questions on the grounds of conscience. 28 However, if someone says to you, “This food was offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— 29 I mean the other person’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be governed by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake of the meal with thankfulness, why should I be criticized for eating food for which I give thanks?
31 Give No Offense. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the Church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own good but that of the many, so that they may be saved.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 10:1 Paul calls to mind the story of the Hebrews in the wilderness, where the people were given all the gifts needed for life: the water and the manna, which symbolize Baptism and the Eucharist.
According to a tradition dear to the rabbis, the rock that Moses struck followed the Hebrews so that they might always have water. Paul uses this interpretation in order to make the point that since the time of the Exodus, Christ has been leading the people (see Num 20:8).
If the events in the life of the desert community foreshadow the reality of the Church, the behavior of the Israelites at that time must also serve as a warning that is ever actual: in order to please God, it is not enough to belong to the Church and to receive the Sacraments; Christians must also be committed to an unwavering effort to be faithful, relying on the help of the Spirit.
In this section, Paul is teaching us how to read the Old Testament in a Christian perspective. - 1 Corinthians 10:10 The Destroyer: the angel charged with inflicting divine punishments (see Ex 12:21-28).
- 1 Corinthians 10:14 Taking part in a form of worship means entering into communion with the divinity to which it is offered. Christians, who participate in the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, are well aware of this. By emphasizing the radical opposition between the Eucharist and pagan cults, Paul makes clear the place that the Eucharistic celebration had in the early Church. This participation gives rise to the Body of Christ that is the Church, but it also requires a serious commitment to live according to the Gospel.
- 1 Corinthians 10:14 Avoid idolatry at all costs: the Christians of Corinth must do their utmost to avoid idolatry especially since they are surrounded by temples of other gods. They daily come into contact with temples for the worship of Apollo, Asclepius, Demeter, Aphrodite, and other pagan gods and goddesses. The most common temptation was that of the worship of Aphrodite with its many sacred prostitutes (which at one time numbered 1000).
- 1 Corinthians 10:18 The people of Israel: literally, “Israel according to the flesh,” that is, Jews by birth, as distinct from “the Israel of God,” to which persons belong by faith (see Rom 2:28-29).
- 1 Corinthians 10:22 Provoke the Lord to jealous anger: in the Old Testament, this points to the incompatibility of adoring God and worshiping idols.
1 Corintios 10
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Ejemplos de la historia de Israel
10 Porque no quiero que ignoren, hermanos(A), que todos nuestros padres estuvieron bajo la nube(B) y todos pasaron por el mar(C). 2 En Moisés todos fueron bautizados[a](D) en la nube y en el mar. 3 Todos comieron el mismo alimento espiritual(E), 4 y todos bebieron la misma bebida espiritual, porque bebían de una roca espiritual(F) que los seguía. La roca era Cristo[b]. 5 Sin embargo, Dios no se agradó de la mayor parte de ellos, y por eso quedaron tendidos en el desierto(G).
6 Estas cosas sucedieron como ejemplo para nosotros(H), a fin de que no codiciemos[c] lo malo, como ellos lo codiciaron(I). 7 No sean, pues, idólatras(J), como fueron algunos de ellos, según está escrito: «El pueblo se sentó a comer y a beber, y se levantó a jugar(K)». 8 Ni forniquemos, como algunos de ellos fornicaron(L), y en un día cayeron veintitrés mil(M). 9 Ni provoquemos[d] al Señor[e], como algunos de ellos lo provocaron[f](N), y fueron destruidos[g] por las serpientes. 10 Ni murmuren, como algunos de ellos murmuraron(O), y fueron[h] destruidos(P) por el destructor(Q).
11 Estas cosas les sucedieron como ejemplo(R), y fueron escritas como enseñanza para nosotros(S), para quienes ha llegado el fin de los siglos(T). 12 Por tanto, el que cree que está firme, tenga cuidado, no sea que caiga(U). 13 No les ha sobrevenido ninguna tentación que no sea común a los hombres. Fiel es Dios(V), que no permitirá que ustedes sean tentados más allá de lo que pueden soportar, sino que con la tentación proveerá también la vía de escape(W), a fin de que puedan resistirla.
14 Por tanto, amados(X) míos, huyan de la idolatría(Y). 15 Les hablo como a sabios; juzguen ustedes lo que digo. 16 La copa de bendición que bendecimos, ¿no es la participación en la sangre de Cristo(Z)? El pan que partimos, ¿no es la participación en el cuerpo de Cristo(AA)? 17 Puesto que el pan es uno, nosotros, que somos muchos, somos un cuerpo(AB); porque todos participamos de aquel mismo pan. 18 Consideren al pueblo de Israel(AC): los que comen los sacrificios(AD), ¿no participan del altar?
19 ¿Qué quiero decir, entonces? ¿Que lo sacrificado a los ídolos es algo, o que un ídolo es algo(AE)? 20 No, sino que digo que lo que los gentiles sacrifican, lo sacrifican a los demonios y no a Dios(AF); no quiero que ustedes sean partícipes con los demonios. 21 Ustedes no pueden beber la copa del Señor y la copa de los demonios(AG); no pueden participar de la mesa del Señor y de la mesa de los demonios(AH). 22 ¿O provocaremos a celos al Señor(AI)? ¿Somos, acaso, más fuertes que Él(AJ)?
Libertad cristiana
23 Todo es lícito, pero no todo es de provecho(AK). Todo es lícito, pero no todo edifica(AL). 24 Nadie busque su propio bien, sino el de su prójimo[i](AM). 25 Coman de todo lo que se vende en la carnicería sin preguntar nada por motivos de conciencia(AN), 26 porque del Señor es la tierra y todo lo que en ella hay[j](AO).
27 Si algún incrédulo(AP) los invita y quieren ir, coman de todo lo que se les ponga delante(AQ) sin preguntar nada por motivos de conciencia. 28 Pero si alguien les dice: «Esto ha sido sacrificado a los ídolos», no lo coman, por causa del que se lo dijo, y por motivos de conciencia(AR), [k]porque del Señor es la tierra y todo lo que en ella hay[l]. 29 Quiero decir, no la conciencia de ustedes, sino la del otro. Pues ¿por qué ha de ser juzgada mi libertad por la conciencia ajena(AS)? 30 Si participo con agradecimiento, ¿por qué he de ser censurado[m](AT) a causa de aquello por lo cual doy gracias(AU)?
31 Entonces, ya sea que coman, que beban, o que hagan cualquier otra cosa, háganlo todo para la gloria de Dios(AV). 32 No sean motivo de tropiezo(AW) ni a judíos, ni a griegos, ni a la iglesia de Dios(AX); 33 así como también yo procuro agradar a todos en todo(AY), no buscando mi propio beneficio(AZ), sino el de muchos, para que sean salvos(BA).
Footnotes
- 10:2 Algunos mss. antiguos dicen: recibieron el bautismo.
- 10:4 I.e. el Mesías.
- 10:6 Lit. no seamos codiciosos de.
- 10:9 O tentemos.
- 10:9 Algunos mss. dicen Cristo.
- 10:9 O tentaron.
- 10:9 O perecieron.
- 10:10 Lit. estaban siendo.
- 10:24 O el otro.
- 10:26 Lit. toda su plenitud.
- 10:28 Los mss. más antiguos no incluyen el resto del vers.
- 10:28 Lit. toda su plenitud.
- 10:30 O calumniado.
1 Corinthians 10
King James Version
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;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 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.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 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.
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