I Corinthians 10:1-22

Warning Against Idolatry I Corinthians 10:1-22 Warning Against Idolatry

Warning Against Idolatry I Corinthians 10:1-22 Warning Against Idolatry Idolatry is the sin most warned against by the scripture.

 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. I John 5:21 (ESV)

We rarely warn about idolatry.

We rarely warn about idolatry. Idolatry is something remote from us.

We rarely warn about idolatry. Idolatry is something remote from us. Do we have a problem with idolatry?

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

This is the most quoted verse in our passage.

This is the most quoted verse in our passage. It is oftentimes used to encourage people to resist sin.

This is the most quoted verse in our passage. It is oftentimes used to encourage people to resist sin. Yet, the main sin in the passage is idolatry.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 (ESV)

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 (ESV)

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 (ESV)

Covetousness

An inordinate desire for the spouse or property of another. Covetousness An inordinate desire for the spouse or property of another.

An inordinate desire for the spouse or property of another. Covetousness An inordinate desire for the spouse or property of another. We are unhappy with what we have, and believe the possession of something else will make us happy.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Westminster Shorter Catechism Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?

Westminster Shorter Catechism Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?

Westminster Shorter Catechism Q. 1. What is the chief end of man? A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever

Heidelberg Catechism

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? Heidelberg Catechism Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? Heidelberg Catechism Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? A. That I am not my own, but belong— body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.

An inordinate desire for the spouse or property of another. Covetousness An inordinate desire for the spouse or property of another. We are unhappy with what we have, and believe the possession of something else will make us happy. Do we have a problem with idolatry?

 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not 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 play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.  We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man   No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.  I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.  The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

  No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 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. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? I Corinthians 10:5-22

 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not 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 play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.  We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 

Paul is referring here to three separate instances:

Paul is referring here to three separate instances: Numbers 11, 21, 25.

Paul is referring here to three separate instances: Numbers 11, 21, 25. In the first two instances the people complain.

Paul is referring here to three separate instances: Numbers 11, 21, 25. In the first two instances the people complain. In the third instance they actually worship idols.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man   No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.  I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.  The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

Paul stresses the communion table as a participation with Christ and a rejection of idolatry.

  No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 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. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? I Corinthians 10:5-22

Idolatry opens us up to the influence of demons. Paul stresses the communion table as a participation with Christ and a rejection of idolatry. Idolatry opens us up to the influence of demons.

Do we have a problem with idolatry?

Do we have a problem with idolatry? Is there anything you covet?

Do we have a problem with idolatry? Is there anything you covet? Are you willing to repent and put it away in order to participate in the table of the Lord?