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Warnings from Israel’s History

10 I want you to know, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same supernatural[a] food and all drank the same supernatural[b] drink. For they drank from the supernatural[c] Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless with most of them God was not pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to dance.” We must not indulge in immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put the Lord[d] to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

14 Therefore, my beloved, shun the worship of idols. 15 I speak as to sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation[e] in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation[f] 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 practice of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.[g] 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 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Do All to the Glory of God

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 (But if some one says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience’ sake— 29 I mean his conscience, not yours—do not eat it.) For why should my liberty be determined by another man’s scruples? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to 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 all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 11 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Head Coverings

I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head—it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil. For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.) 10 That is why a woman ought to have a veil[h] on her head, because of the angels. 11 (Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.) 13 Judge for yourselves; is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her pride? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other practice, nor do the churches of God.

Abuses at the Lord’s Supper

17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you meet together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.[i] 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for[j] you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Partaking of the Supper Unworthily

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.[k] 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are chastened[l] so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

33 So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if any one is hungry, let him eat at home—lest you come together to be condemned. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:3 Greek spiritual
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:4 Greek spiritual
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:4 Greek spiritual
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Other ancient authorities read Christ
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Or communion
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Or communion
  7. 10.20 Paul appears to forbid partaking in sacrificial meals. In verse 27 he says they may eat meat offered to idols if it is at an ordinary meal, unless it would cause scandal to any one present.
  8. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Greek authority (the veil being a symbol of this)
  9. 11.20 There was apparently a common meal before the Eucharist at which food and drink were to be shared. Paul condemns the abuses that had crept in.
  10. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Other ancient authorities read broken for
  11. 1 Corinthians 11:30 Greek have fallen asleep (as in 15.6, 20)
  12. 1 Corinthians 11:32 Or when we are judged we are being chastened by the Lord

Old Testament Examples

10 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under (A)the cloud, all passed through (B)the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same (C)spiritual food, and all drank the same (D)spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies (E)were scattered in the wilderness.

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as (F)they also lusted. (G)And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, (H)“The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” (I)Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as (J)some of them did, and (K)in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us [a]tempt Christ, as (L)some of them also tempted, and (M)were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as (N)some of them also complained, and (O)were destroyed by (P)the destroyer. 11 Now [b]all these things happened to them as examples, and (Q)they were written for our [c]admonition, (R)upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore (S)let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but (T)God is faithful, (U)who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to [d]bear it.

Flee from Idolatry

14 Therefore, my beloved, (V)flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to (W)wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 (X)The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the [e]communion of the blood of Christ? (Y)The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For (Z)we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

18 Observe (AA)Israel (AB)after the flesh: (AC)Are not those who eat of the sacrifices [f]partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? (AD)That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles (AE)sacrifice (AF)they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 (AG)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (AH)the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the (AI)Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we (AJ)provoke the Lord to jealousy? (AK)Are we stronger than He?

All to the Glory of God(AL)

23 All things are lawful [g]for me, but not all things are (AM)helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things [h]edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one (AN)the other’s well-being.

25 (AO)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for (AP)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, (AQ)eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it (AR)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [i]for (AS)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For (AT)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food (AU)over which I give thanks?

31 (AV)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (AW)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just (AX)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Worship and the Lord’s Supper

11 Imitate(AY) me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Head Coverings

Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that (AZ)the head of every man is Christ, (BA)the head of woman is man, and (BB)the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or (BC)prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were (BD)shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is (BE)shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since (BF)he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman (BG)from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman (BH)for the man. 10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, (BI)neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given [j]to her for a covering. 16 But (BJ)if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, (BK)nor do the churches of God.

Conduct at the Lord’s Supper

17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, (BL)I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For (BM)there must also be factions among you, (BN)that those who are approved may be [k]recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and (BO)another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise (BP)the church of God and (BQ)shame [l]those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

Institution of the Lord’s Supper(BR)

23 For (BS)I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: (BT)that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, [m]“Take, eat; this is My body which is [n]broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death (BU)till He comes.

Examine Yourself

27 Therefore whoever eats (BV)this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and [o]blood of the Lord. 28 But (BW)let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks [p]in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the [q]Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many [r]sleep. 31 For (BX)if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, (BY)we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

33 Therefore, my brethren, when you (BZ)come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:9 test
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:11 NU omits all
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:11 instruction
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:13 endure
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:16 fellowship or sharing
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:18 fellowshippers or sharers
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NU omits for me
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:23 build up
  9. 1 Corinthians 10:28 NU omits the rest of v. 28.
  10. 1 Corinthians 11:15 M omits to her
  11. 1 Corinthians 11:19 Lit. manifest, evident
  12. 1 Corinthians 11:22 The poor
  13. 1 Corinthians 11:24 NU omits Take, eat
  14. 1 Corinthians 11:24 NU omits broken
  15. 1 Corinthians 11:27 NU, M the blood
  16. 1 Corinthians 11:29 NU omits in an unworthy manner
  17. 1 Corinthians 11:29 NU omits Lord’s
  18. 1 Corinthians 11:30 Are dead