1 Corinthians 10
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Failure in the past 1
So avoid setting hearts on evil 6
And be faithful 11
Cup and bread remind us of our unity 15
Although idols are nothing, sacrifices to them are to demons 18
Avoid behavior that would mislead others 23
Do all to God's glory not causing anyone to stumble 31
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Text
Comments
.1 ¶ 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. 		   1 - Moreover Some manuscripts translate "For." This better connects with the previous chapter. Paul did not want to be a reject 1co1027. The Corinthians faced the same problem. Many of their ancestors had displeased God v5.
  1 - Fathers Many of the believers in Corinth had worshipped idols. Their ancestors did not go through the red sea ex1421,2. They along with most of us who read this are spiritual Israel who have been invited to receive the promises to the Jewish ancestors, ga0328.
  4 - They drank So many who come to Christ and follow the narrow path for a time, drop out col0206. 
  4 - Rock See ex1706.
.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.		   6 - Lust By claiming the power of Christ, we may not be led into temptation mt0613. We may have victory.
. 7 - Play From the apostasy of the golden calf ex3206. Playing was impure activity as part of the Egyptian worship.
.11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: 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.		    11 - Ensamples Or "examples" in modern English. The Greek word in verse 6 is the same as the one here.
   How easy it is to say that we are not like those wicked people. Verse 12 tells us to be careful.
   13 - No temptation What a powerful promise. Our problem isn't in being able to overcome, it's deciding to seek God with all our heart je2913. The price for victory may be high, but in the end it's worth it. Remember what Jesus paid to provide our redemption! See note below.
   14 - Flee Idolatry in this context was self confidence v12 and rebellion v7, seeking a plan different from what God had outlined in the wilderness. To flee is to run away as fast as you can from an enemy 2ti0222. 
.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. 		   15 - Cup of blessing That is, the cup for which a blessing is asked. This service has been combined with pagan ideas to become the Eucharist where a naturally sinful priest pretends to create the Creator, considering it as the very body and blood of Christ! (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994, #1350). His sacrifice on the cross "remains ever present," #183.) Christ has to be divided in order to fulfill the specified ceremonies and beliefs. We may pray for our Catholic brothers and sisters.
.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?		    18 - Israel after the flesh The term reminds us that New Testament believers are spiritual Israel.
   20 - Sacrifice to devils An idol is only wood or stone, but in participating in certain practices we worship Satan and his angels! 2ch1115.
   21 - Cannot drink We can't have it both ways. God cannot accept our worship when we deal with spirit mediums or follow the horoscope or make idols of sports heroes.
.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.
.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. (RSV)
 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?		   23 - Lawful See on 1co0612.
  24 - Another's wealth Literally "that which is the other's" ac1038. "wealth" is Old English for "well-being."
  25 - Shambles Greek makellon from Latin marcellum or "meat market." The Latin word appears on a shop in the ruins of a market in Corinth confirming the meaning of the Latin word. Paul may have had this market in mind. The issue about flesh foods was whether one should buy products dedicated to idols. The advice was, "Don't ask." Their purpose would be for getting food and they would not, by their purchase, be intending any act of worship. To intentionally purchase idol-blessed meat would be wrong ac1529.
  26 - Earth is the Lord's Quotation from ps02401. A good one to remember.
  27 - To a feast Words supplied by the KJV translators. This would be an ordinary meal, not a ceremonial celebration. The next verse clarifies. It was assumed that food already condemned by God would not be in question. See le11.
  28 - But ... offered The eating was part of the pagan worship.
  29 - Conscience ... of the other Our eating practice must not become a stumbling block to others.
  30 - By grace If giving thanks for food and if with a clear conscience there seems to be to reason to be criticized.
.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. 
 The NIV concludes this paragraph with the first verse of chapter 11 		   31 - Eat or drink Lifestyle honors God as well as do words of praise and behavior tt0212.
  31 - Whatever This means that all behavior of those who claim to follow Christ should be an honor to God. Our world is filled with hatred. We can hate without physically hurting others. Some base their behavior on past hurts from their enemies. This dishonors the one who sent His son who died for all we have done. Without forgiving without conditions, we are not forgiven mt0612, mt1032.
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We may have victory over sin

Intentional sin cannot be honestly justified
    I was once helping a minister prepare a correspondence course in marriage counseling. Before we finished he told me that he had decided to marry a woman to whom he had been giving counsel. At the time, he had a wife and, as I remember, eight kids. He withdrew from the writing assignment and from the ministry. This defies logic and ignores the word of the Lord. Of course, no sin is rational. If it were, it would cease to be sin. Ultimately we would need no Savior and this world would have no hope! We are not living in Christ if we are excusing a known sin – if something is standing between us and Him. I've heard people say that they can't quit abusing their bodies by their lifestyle or that they can't be obedient to one of the commandments, or that they can't forgive their brother. Christ does not require anything for which He has not provided the power to perform. For each of the seven churches, salvation is assured to overcomers. Someone has aptly said that the robe of Christ's righteousness does not cover one cherished sin. (See Isa. 61:10, Job 29:14).
    Although sin cannot be justified, the sinner who repents, praying for strength to turn from sin, may be forgiven. (Isa. 55:7; 1 John 1:9; Prov. 28:13).

Strength to overcome
    In Romans 1:17, Paul wrote, "The just shall live by faith." He quoted Habakkuk, who wrote more forcefully, "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." (2:4). Nothing is wrong with Paul's statement but when I read Habakkuk, I saw that my life needed to conform to the faith I professed. Taking up our cross is a daily need and I believe we should renew our new birth every morning.
    "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." (Lam. 3:22-24)
    "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13). "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." (1 Cor. 10:13, above). Praise God for that power. We have only to claim it and apply it.

The Lord's Supper
    What about being worthy to participate in the Lord's Supper? None of us has the perfection of God. Our perfection is only like His. By grace, we may be perfect in the realm we understand. Consuming the bread and the fruit of the vine represents taking the character of Christ into our lives. At the last supper, Jesus washed the disciples' feet which meant spiritual cleansing. If we are refusing the grace to overcome in our lives, we cannot honestly declare we are accepting it by participation. (See 1 Cor. 11:27)

Some believe Jesus didn't sin because He was divine as well as human
    This is true but we may have a share of the divine nature. "According as his divine power [, Jesus our Lord]  hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1:3, 4). We do not become divine but the portion of God's nature here promised provides the power for victory over sin. Praise God!

Keeping the victory
    We must ever sense our reliance on Christ our Savior by unceasing prayer (1 Thess. 5:17). We may cultivate a sense of the presence of holy angels. (Heb. 1:14), and we must avoid sense of evil as constantly presented by the media (Ps. 101:3; 2 Tim. 2:22)