Shared Word Translation
1 Corinthians 10
Warning from Israel’s History
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, 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 spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they were drinking from a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.
But with most of them God was not pleased, for they were struck down in the wilderness.
Now these things became examples for us, so that we might not desire evil things as they also desired. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; just as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and fell in one day twenty-three thousand. Nor let us test Christ, as some of them tested and were destroyed by serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them grumbled and were destroyed by the destroyer.
Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let the one who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it.
Flee from Idolatry
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.
Look at Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?
What then do I say? That what is sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but that what they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become participants with demons.
You are not able to drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you are not able to partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Do All to the Glory of God
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but that of the other.
Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.”
If one of the unbelievers invites you and you wish to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for conscience’ sake. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you and for conscience’ sake— not your own conscience, but that of the other. For why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience?
If I partake with thankfulness, why am I spoken against for that for which I give thanks?
Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all people in all things, not seeking my own advantage, but that of the many, so that they may be saved.