I Corinthians 10 Warnings against Idolatry

How does the exercise of Christian liberty apply to idolatry? Paul differentiates between participation in idol feasts (idolatry) and the private use of meat associated with idol sacrifices (Christian liberty). Paul differentiates between participation in idol feasts (idolatry) and the private use of meat associated with idol sacrifices (Christian liberty). Warning: You can do harm to yourself by a false confidence that you can do as you please. Warning: You can do harm to yourself by a false confidence that you can do as you please. When the Christian exercise of his liberty is detrimental to the spiritual welfare of a fellow Christian, he will out of consideration for a brother or sister in Christ, refrain from exercising that liberty. When the Christian exercise of his liberty is detrimental to the spiritual welfare of a fellow Christian, he will out of consideration for a brother or sister in Christ, refrain from exercising that liberty.

10:1-13 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. … For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. …

10:1-13 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things 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 got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did – and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did – and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did – and were killed by the destroying angel. … Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things 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 got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did – and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did – and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did – and were killed by the destroying angel. …

10:1-13 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

A warning Example from the History of Israel in the Wilderness 1. Identify the references to the cloud and the sea in vs 1 & Identify the references to the cloud and the sea in vs 1 & 2. –Ex 13:21 – “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.” 2. How does Paul demonstrate that the Israelites were richly blessed by divine grace? (vs 1-4) 2. How does Paul demonstrate that the Israelites were richly blessed by divine grace? (vs 1-4) 3. What examples of Israel’s sins in the desert does Paul cite? Why does he mention them here? 3. What examples of Israel’s sins in the desert does Paul cite? Why does he mention them here? 4. Why should our sins be judged even more severely than Israel’s were? 4. Why should our sins be judged even more severely than Israel’s were? 5. Why is the characterization, “if you think you are standing firm” particularly appropriate in the case of the Corinthians? 5. Why is the characterization, “if you think you are standing firm” particularly appropriate in the case of the Corinthians? 6. What is the great comfort in verse 13? 6. What is the great comfort in verse 13?

Studying the Scriptures Why is it good for us to read Old Testament history? Why is it good for us to read Old Testament history? How do we escape God’s punishment? How do we escape God’s punishment? Pro 4:14 = Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Pro 4:14 = Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Is 13:11 = I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. Is 13:11 = I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.

Studying the Scriptures Why is it good for us to read Old Testament history? Why is it good for us to read Old Testament history? How do we escape God’s punishment? How do we escape God’s punishment? Hebrews 10:26-29 = If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy think thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:26-29 = If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy think thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

Studying the Scriptures Why is it good for us to read Old Testament history? Why is it good for us to read Old Testament history? How do we escape God’s punishment? How do we escape God’s punishment? 2 Pe 3:17-18 = Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Pe 3:17-18 = Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Expanding the text How is I Co 9:24-27 related to this section? How is I Co 9:24-27 related to this section? How were Israel’s sins associated with idolatry? How were Israel’s sins associated with idolatry? How do people abuse God’s goodness today? How do people abuse God’s goodness today? What is the importance of studying Biblical and church history (or even secular history)? What is the importance of studying Biblical and church history (or even secular history)? Contrast Paul’s handling of the Old Testament Scriptures with that engaged in by historical criticism today. Contrast Paul’s handling of the Old Testament Scriptures with that engaged in by historical criticism today.

Avoid Idol worship – lest you become a partner with demons I Co 10:14-22 = Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood fo Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. … I Co 10:14-22 = Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood fo Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. …

Avoid Idol worship – lest you become a partner with demons I Co 10:14-22 =Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 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. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we strogner than he? I Co 10:14-22 =Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 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. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we strogner than he?

Avoid Idol worship – lest you become a partner with demons Verse 16 is used to teach an important truth regarding the Lord’s Supper. What truth? Verse 16 is used to teach an important truth regarding the Lord’s Supper. What truth? What makes us one spiritual body in the Lord’s Supper (vs 17)? Who then should we invite to communion? What is this practice called? What makes us one spiritual body in the Lord’s Supper (vs 17)? Who then should we invite to communion? What is this practice called? How real are idols? How real are idols? What involves us with demons? What involves us with demons? What are the consequences of idol-worship? What are the consequences of idol-worship? Why do eating and drinking at the Lord’s table rule out a Christian’s participation in idol-worship? Why do eating and drinking at the Lord’s table rule out a Christian’s participation in idol-worship?

Don’t let the exercise of your liberty wrong your neighbor I Co 10:23-11:1 = “Everything is permissible” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if anyone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience’ sake. … I Co 10:23-11:1 = “Everything is permissible” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if anyone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience’ sake. …

Don’t let the exercise of your liberty wrong your neighbor I Co 10:23-11:1 = - the other man’s conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I Co 10:23-11:1 = - the other man’s conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Don’t let the exercise of your liberty wrong your neighbor What two limitations does Paul place on the exercise of Christian liberty? What two limitations does Paul place on the exercise of Christian liberty? What great principle does Paul set forth in verse 24? What great principle does Paul set forth in verse 24? In what respects does Paul’s example of eating meat purchased in the public market illustrate the proper use of Christian liberty? In what respects does Paul’s example of eating meat purchased in the public market illustrate the proper use of Christian liberty? Why does Paul advise the “strong,” well-informed Christian not to eat the meat? Why does Paul advise the “strong,” well-informed Christian not to eat the meat? What general principle does Paul present in the verses of this section? What general principle does Paul present in the verses of this section? What is the ultimate purpose of not giving offense? What is the ultimate purpose of not giving offense?

Don’t let the exercise of your liberty wrong your neighbor Look back at I Co 8:13, 9:20-22 and Look back at I Co 8:13, 9:20-22 and Ac 24:16 = “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” Ac 24:16 = “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” How do these passages compare with I Co 10:23,24. Why is it difficult to avoid giving offense? How do these passages compare with I Co 10:23,24. Why is it difficult to avoid giving offense?

Expanding our Understanding Compare the attitude of the Christians in Corinth who felt that eating idol meat was objectionable to the attitude that (pick a peeve!) … is objectionable. Compare the attitude of the Christians in Corinth who felt that eating idol meat was objectionable to the attitude that (pick a peeve!) … is objectionable. What limitations must a Christian place on social relations with non-Christians? What limitations must a Christian place on social relations with non-Christians? How does one decide what is to the glory of God? How does one decide what is to the glory of God?