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 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. (1 Corinthians 10:6-14 KJV)
Commentary
The apostle, having described Israel’s privileges, now recounts their sins and punishments—examples recorded for our warning so that we may avoid the same errors and judgments (1 Corinthians 10:6-11). We must not repeat their sins if we wish to escape their fate.
We should avoid craving evil things as they did (1 Corinthians 10:6). God fed them with manna, yet they complained and demanded meat (Numbers 11:4). Dissatisfied with God’s provision, they lusted after flesh, showing that indulged desires quickly grow out of control. Carnal appetites, if not restrained, become the root of many sins.
He also warns against idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:7). “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play,” referring to the worship of the golden calf (Exodus 32:6). They sacrificed to their idol, feasted, and then celebrated in revelry. Even eating and drinking from sacrifices offered to idols was an act of idolatry, and the Corinthians were warned not to imitate them by partaking in pagan feasts.
Next, he cautions against sexual immorality, a sin rampant in Corinth, where the temple of Aphrodite employed many prostitutes. Their former culture made this warning especially necessary. The Israelites also fell into this sin when they committed fornication with the daughters of Moab in worship of Baal-Peor (Numbers 25:1-9). Because of their lust and idolatry, twenty-three thousand perished in one day. This shows that God will judge all forms of immorality, regardless of one’s religious standing or privileges.
He then warns against testing Christ, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents (1 Corinthians 10:9; Numbers 21:5-6). Christ, the angel of the covenant, was with them in the wilderness, yet they provoked Him by their complaints. Those who now tempt Christ through unbelief and rebellion should likewise fear His judgment.
They also murmured against God and Moses and were destroyed by the destroying angel (1 Corinthians 10:10; Numbers 14:37). Whenever difficulties arose, they complained and rebelled, longing to return to Egypt. The Corinthians mirrored this spirit when they murmured against Paul and preferred teachers who would accommodate their worldly desires. Such discontentment was a grave sin that provoked divine wrath and could lead to apostasy.
All these things happened to them as examples and were written for our instruction, “on whom the end of the ages has come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). The laws, ordinances, and providences of Israel were types and warnings for believers today. Their exclusion from the earthly Canaan foreshadowed the exclusion of unbelievers from the heavenly one. Scripture records their history so that the Church might take warning. Therefore, “let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). Those who feel confident must remain vigilant and humble, for others have fallen, and so may we. The moment we become overconfident, we are in greatest danger. Trusting in ourselves is perilous; depending on God is our only safety.
Yet Paul adds comfort (1 Corinthians 10:13). Though presumption displeases God, despair is equally wrong. Our trials will either be proportioned to our strength, or strength will be supplied in proportion to our trials. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.” Others have faced the same tests, and by God’s help, they endured. We can too.
God is faithful and will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. He knows our strength and will either limit the trial or give us grace to withstand it. He will also “make a way of escape” so that we may endure it. There is no situation so dark that God cannot bring us through it or overrule it for our good (Romans 8:28).
On this basis Paul gives his final exhortation: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). He appeals to them tenderly because his warning flows from love. They must shun idolatry in every form and avoid even its appearance. To worship idols is to insult the true God and transfer His honor to another. Since God is faithful to deliver and strengthen His people, they must prove themselves faithful in return, standing firm in trials and avoiding every compromise with sin. Those who cling to God cannot fall by temptation.