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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER TEN:
UNITY IN WORSHIP AND CONSCIENCE

Theme Verse: 31
Key word: Conscience

1 Corinthians 10:1-5 – God Disapproved the Majority

1CO10:1 For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, 513 [Exodus 13:21] and they were all those who went through the [Red] Sea. 514 [Exodus 14:22]

513

Our forefathers were all under the cloud: Or, protected by the cloud, under the pillar of cloud. Paul alludes to Exodus 13:21, “YHWH went before them in a daylight column of a cloud leading the way.” More precisely, this was not Yehowah directly, but the Angel of Yahweh as a reading of the accounts will show. For details see below regarding the Spiritual Rock.

514	They were all those who went through the [Red] Sea: So there was water above and water all around. An allusion to Exodus 14:22.

1CO10:2 Also, all those persons were immersed into Moses 515 as well as the Cloud and the Sea. 516

515	All those persons were immersed into Moses: Or, baptized; GDS: as followers of Moses. The Israelites obeyed Moses in passing through the Red Sea. Baptism into Moses [or, Christ later] is an immersion into the leadership of such.

516	As well as the Cloud and the Sea: A water baptism of sorts.

1CO10:3 All of them eat the same spiritual food, 517

517	All of them eat the same spiritual food: Or, supernatural food. Likely a reference to manna. An allusion to Exodus 16:14, 15. Paul mentions this “angel’s food” again in 2 Corinthians 8:14, 15 in his argument for Christian communism.

1CO10:4 and all of them drank the same spiritual drink. 518 For they were all drinking from the Spiritual Rock following [them]. 519 [Exodus 20:11] Now that Rock was the Christ. 520

518	All of them drank the same spiritual drink: Compare the miraculous flow of water from the rock. [Exodus 17:6; Psalm 78:15]

519

They were all drinking from the Spiritual Rock following [them]: Or, WMS: they continued to drink; GDS: they used to drink; RSV: supernatural Rock. [Numbers 20:11] Paul is alluding to another Rock – the Rock. [Deuteronomy 32:4, 15, 18; Psalms 73:26; 89:26; 94:22; Isaiah 17:10; 26:4; 30:24] For more details see the next phrase.

520

Now that Rock was the Christ: Paul is referring to the Angel of Yehowah who carried the Name within and represented God throughout the wilderness trek. See the subject The Angel of Yahweh in Error of the Trinity. [Nazarene Commentary 2000©] Compare Exodus 23:23ff and Exodus 32:34ff. Compare Stephen’s speech with the actual accounts in the Hebrew Bible. [Acts 7:30, 35, 38]

1CO10:5 Despite this The God was not well pleased with the majority of them. 521 For they were scattered about in the wilderness. 522 [Numbers 14:16]

521	God was not well pleased with the majority of them: Or, not at all satisfied, not accepted by. [Numbers 14:16; Ezekiel 20:15; Jude 5] These were “baptized” and drank from the Christ, but were still rejected.

522	They were scattered about in the wilderness: Paul references Numbers 14:16.

1 Corinthians 10:6-11 – Warning Examples

1CO10:6 Now these things occurred as typical examples 523 for us not to be greedy of harmful things 524 [Numbers 11:34] just as they were also greedy.

523

Now these things occurred as typical examples: Or, shadows. The Greek is TYPOI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5179]. For details see the use of the word in Hebrews 8:5 and Hebrews 9:23. Paul uses examples, types or shadows from the Hebrew Scriptures as either warnings, or prophetic shadows of spiritual realities. [Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 10:1] Compare also Galatians 4:24-26.

524	Not to be greedy of harmful things: Or, covetous, lust, hankering, crave. Paul has in mind “the selfish desire” of Numbers 11:34 and Psalm 106:14. Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 5:10, 11; 6:10. On greed see Proverbs 20:21; Ephesians 4:19; 5:3, 5.

1CO10:7 Neither become idolaters 525 just as some of those [Israelites]. Just as it has been written, “The people [of Israel] sat down to eat and drink and they stood up to party.” 526 [Exodus 32:6]

525	Idolaters: Or, worship false gods. [Exodus 32:4]

526	They stood up to party: Or, play, idol dances, revelry, orgies. Paul cites Exodus 32:6. The setting is one of eating food offered to idols as well as idolatry itself.

1CO10:8 Neither should we become sexually immoral, 527 just as some of those [Israelites] became sexually immoral, [with the result] that twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 528 [Numbers 25:9]

527	Sexually immoral: Or, fornication, prostitution. Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 5:1. This sexual immorality [fornication] was not between couples who intended to marry, but an orgy with foreign women whose purpose was to deceive Israel.

528	Twenty-three thousand fell in one day: Paul has in mind Numbers 25:9.

1CO10:9 Neither should we be testing out the Supreme Being, 529 just as some of them tested [God], only to destroy themselves by the serpents. 530 [Numbers 21:6]

529

Testing out the Supreme Being: Or, the LORD. In English the word “lord” may mean “supreme being” when applied to God. Or, tempt, presume. The KJV has “Christ” here. [ekpeirazômen ton christon (Stephen 1550; Scrivens 1894;Byzantine Majority; Alexandrian)] If this version be accepted it confirms “the Christ” had a pre-existence. However, the older Codex Sinaiticus (4th Century), Vatican 1209 (4th Century), and Codex Ephraem (5th Century) have “the Master.” [Deuteronomy 6:16]

530	Destroy themselves by the serpents: Or, snakes. [Numbers 21:6]

1CO10:10 Neither should you be murmuring, 531 just as some of them murmured [Numbers 14:2] only to destroy themselves by the Destroyer. 532

531

Neither should you be murmuring: Or, say evil things, stop grumbling, don’t complain. The object of this murmuring was more than mere slander; it was complaint against God and His appointed representatives, Moses and Aaron. [Numbers 14:2] This danger is also echoed at 2 Peter 2:10, 11 and Jude 8, 10, 16.

532	Destroy themselves by the Destroyer: Or, MOF: destroying angel; BEC: the angel of death killed them. Likely the same as that spiritual Rock mentioned earlier. [Exodus 23:21]

1CO10:11 Now these things happened to them typically 533 and were written in our behalf as an admonition to us 534 upon whom the end of this time period has arrived. 535

533	These things happened to them typically: Or, type, shadow, illustrations. See notes above.

534	Written in our behalf as an admonition to us: Or, a caution. [Romans 15:4]

535

The end of this time period has arrived: Or, KJV: end of the world; WMS: climax of the ages; NEB: fulfillment of the ages has come. The Greek TA TELOS TON AIONON is very similar to the phrase used in Matthew 24:3 [which is identical to Hebrews 9:26]. Paul has in mind the end or conclusion of the Jewish Temple Age as Daniel 9:26, 27 foretold.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – Common Temptations

1CO10:12 Let the one who thinks he is standing firm 536 be very careful lest he should fall. 537

536	Let the one who thinks he is standing firm: Or, MON: standing so securely; NOR: who is sure he stands safely; PME: feels sure of his standing today. Paul’s warning is to those self-assured and over-confident elders in the congregation.

537	Be very careful lest he should fall: Or, you may fall. [Proverbs 28:14; Romans 11:20; Galatians 6:1] All face the potential of falling if they abide not in Christ.

1CO10:13 You have had no temptation that is not common to humans. 538 But the Faithful God will not permit you to be overly tested beyond your ability to bear it. 539

538	You have had no temptation that is not common to humans: Or, trials; NEB: beyond what man can bear. God knows that any temptation can be overcome by the average human. [Romans 2:15, 16]

539

The Faithful God will not permit you to be overly tested beyond your ability to bear it: Or, GDS: God can be depended on; BEC: you can trust God; RSV: beyond your strength PME: beyond your powers of endurance. Even humans who are not Christians have endured all of the temptations even without the support of God but for loyalty to family or country.

1 Corinthians 10:14-17 – Flee Idolatry

1CO10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 540

540	Flee from idolatry: Compare [Deuteronomy 4:25; 2 Corinthians 6:17] Some Christians think they are not idolaters but are greedy, or that is, they have a desire for more material things. [Colossians 3:5; 1 John 5:21]

1CO10:15 I am saying this to those who are discerning. 541 You determine what I tell you:

541	I am saying this to those who are discerning: Or, wise men, intelligence, good sense. [1 Corinthians 14:20] Paul may be a bit sarcastic here.

1CO10:16 The Cup of the blessing that we are blessing, 542 is it not the blood of the Christ? 543 The Loaf which we are breaking, is it not a sharing of the body of the Christ? 544

542	The Cup of the blessing that we are blessing: Paul alludes to the Master’s Supper. [Matthew 26:27; Luke 22:17] The original Passover had no cup of wine, therefore, he does not speak of the Jewish Passover, but the Christian “Memorial.”

543	Is it not the blood of the Christ: The wine cup of the Jewish Passover meal in the year 33 AD did not pre-figure the blood of Christ. It was a cup in a different context that did that at the Master’s Supper.

544

The Loaf which we are breaking, is it not a sharing of the body of the Christ: If anything it was the food of the sacrificed lamb on the Passover table which would typify Christ. But, here Paul follows the Nazarene, and likens his body – not to the Passover lamb – but the loaf of unleavened bread. [Matthew 26:26; Luke 22:19]

1CO10:17 Because [there is] one Loaf, 545 we many are one Body, 546 for all of us are partaking from the one Loaf. 547

545	One Loaf: There is one loaf at Memorial from which all present share.

546	We many are one Body: Compare Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:25; Ephesians 4:4.

547	Partaking from the one Loaf: Though there may be “one loaf” in the many churches, these all are “one Loaf.” For more details on the Master’s Supper see 1 Corinthians 11:20ff.

1 Corinthians 10:18-22 – Demons or God?

1CO10:18 Consider fleshly Israel: 548 Are not those who are eating the sacrifices sharers with the Altar? 549

548	Consider fleshly Israel: Or, Israel after the flesh. Inferring there is a “spiritual Israel.” [Romans 9:6; Galatians 6:16]

549

Are not those who are eating the sacrifices sharers with the Altar: Or, partakers, partnership, communion. The Greek is COINOI from which common, communal, community, communism all are rooted. These are actually called “communion sacrifices” because God, the priesthood, and the people of Israel shared the sacrifices. [Leviticus 7:15]

1CO10:19 What, then, am I saying? That the thing sacrificed to an idol is anything? 550 Or, that an idol is anything?

550	That the thing sacrificed to an idol is anything: Compare 1 Corinthians 8:4.

1CO10:20 [What I am saying is] that what the non-Jews are sacrificing they are sacrificing to demons 551 and not to God. [Deuteronomy 32:17] But, I do not want you to become sharers with the demons. 552

551

They are sacrificing to demons: Or, devils, evil spirits. This was true of the Greeks as well as Hindus and Buddhists. Though their religion has no Absolute God they are filled with demons and spirits and the ceremonial ways of pacifying them. Paul likely alludes to Deuteronomy 32:17. Compare also Psalm 106:37. Not the literal Greek at Acts 17:22 and DEISIDAIMONESTEROUS [“demon-dreading” (KIT)].

552	I do not want you to become sharers with the demons: Or, fellowship, communion, partners.

1CO10:21 It is not possible for you to be drinking YHWH’s Cup and also a cup of demons. 553 It is not possible for you to be partaking of YHWH’s Table 554 [Malachi 1:7] and also a table of demons.

553

It is not possible for you to be drinking YHWH’s Cup and also a cup of demons: Or, cup of the Master. The Greek is without the article suggesting YHWH ought to occur here in the phrase “Jehovah’s Cup.” Possibly this is an echo of one of the Hallel psalms sung at Passover. [Psalm 116:13] “Yehowah’s Cup” is that Jesus passed among his eleven disciples following the Passover, at the institution of the Memorial.

554	It is not possible for you to be partaking of YHWH’s Table: This is an allusion to Malachi 1:7. Again the word for Lord is without the article and suggests YHWH belongs here as a Hebraism. Compare also Ezekiel 41:22 and Malachi 1:12.

1CO10:22 Or, “are we inciting the Supreme Being to jealousy?” 555 [Deuteronomy 32:21] Are we stronger than Him? 556

555	Are we inciting the Supreme Being to jealousy: Paul again refers to Deuteronomy 32:21. [Exodus 34:14] Or, stir up God’s anger; arouse God’s insistence on exclusive devotion. The allusion to Deuteronomy would suggest “the Lord” here is Yehowah.

556	Are we stronger than Him: Compare Job 9:4.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 – Not Self-interest

1CO10:23 Everything is lawful, but everything is not profitable. 557 Everything is lawful, but everything is not constructive. 558

557

Everything is lawful, but everything is not profitable: That is, “To the Christian everything is legal, but that does not mean such freedom is constructive.” Or, KJV: all things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient; WMS: everything is permissible; NEB: we are free to do anything, you say; RSV: but not all things are helpful; KNX: but not everything can be done without harm; BEC: but not everything is good for others. Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 6:12.

558	Everything is not constructive: Or, upbuilding. That is, “This complete freedom is not necessarily constructive to others.” Or, edify not, not constructive. [Romans 14:19; 15:2]

1CO10:24 Let no one seek just self-concerns, 559 but rather the concerns of others. 560

559

Let no one seek just self-concerns: That is, “No Christian ought to be selfish and think only of themselves.” Or, KJV: let no man seek his own; PME: his own advantage as his objective; WMS: no one should always be looking after his own welfare. Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 10:33 and 1 Corinthians 13:5. [Philippians 2:21]

560

The concerns of others: That is, “Put first the interests of others before yourself.” Or, KJV: but every man another’s wealth; BEC: for the good of the other person. This verse is a good definition of divine agape. Christian love begins with interest in others, followed by concern for others, followed by positive action in response to those feelings. The words parallel Philippians 2:4.

1 Corinthians 10:25-30 – Conscience and Meat

1CO10:25 You may eat anything being sold in a meat market 561 without a judgment of conscience, 562

561

You may eat anything being sold in a meat market: Or, KJV: shambles. Paul does not mean a kosher market, but a pagan one where it is likely meat offered up to idols will be sold. The Nazarene declared all foods clean. [Mark 7:19] Paul echoes this in the context of apostates forbidding certain foods. [1 Timothy 4:4] Paul actually wrote the apostolic decree recorded at Acts 15:29 which ordered that non-Jews abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, and from animals strangled. All of these would be available in a Greek meat market.

562

Without a judgment of conscience: That is, “without any tinge of conscience because it is a pagan meat market.” Or, KJV: asking no question or conscience’s sake; TCN: without making inquiries to satisfy your scruples; BEC: don’t ask any questions, or let your conscience trouble you; GDS: without raising any question as far as conscience is concerned. The Jews were extremely scrupulous regarding their foods and particularly how their meat was bleed and cleansed. It is possible those Judaizers who wished the Church to remain under the burden of the Law of Moses had gone too far in Corinth. Compare Acts 15:1, 2, 5, 10. [Romans 14:22] On the word conscience see 1 Corinthians 8:7.

1CO10:26 for the earth and its fullness belongs to the Supreme Being. 563 [Psalm 24:1]

563

For the earth and its fullness belongs to the Supreme Being: Paul’s argument is based on this allusion to Psalm 24:1. Compare notes on 1 Timothy 4:1-4 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. Psalm 24:1 contains YHWH and so it is possible it should be placed here, though Paul uses TOU KYRIOU as it is in the later copies of the Septuagint.

1CO10:27 If any one of the unbelievers invites you [to a meal] and you wish to go, 564 eat everything set before you [Luke 10:8] without asking any questions for the sake of conscience. 565

564	If any one of the unbelievers invites you [to a meal] and you wish to go: Christians did not have to isolate themselves to such a degree that they refrained from social contact with non-believers as Jews did. Compare also the notes on 1 Corinthians 5:9-11.

565

Eat everything set before you without asking any questions for the sake of conscience: Jesus had said something similar to his Jewish apostles going into Jewish homes. This borrows the words of Luke 10:8. Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 8:7. No Jew would do this. As the Church widened into the Roman-Greek world the difference between Jew and Christian would become apparent to communities.

1CO10:28 However, if anyone [present] should state, “This [meat] is a holy [pagan] sacrifice,” 566 do not eat it because of the person who disclosed this, 567 and [because of] conscience.

566	This [meat] is a holy [pagan] sacrifice: Or, KNX: used in idolatrous worship. An unbelieving Greek household would not say this unless they supposed the Christian followed Jewish practice. It is possible someone else is present, someone with a degree of knowledge but a weak conscience.

567

Do not eat it because of the person who disclosed this: Paul does not state precisely who this might be. We may assume someone else is present who does not have the same conscience as Paul. The person would not have disclosed this fact unless they thought Paul might be offended or forbidden to eat certain foods. The Christian must be sensitive to the conscience of others though this might be weak.

1CO10:29 I am not talking about your conscience but the other person’s [conscience]. 568 For, why is my freedom being determined by another person’s conscience? 569

568

I am not talking about your conscience but the other person’s [conscience]: This is the main point: a Christian may have the freedom – unlike the Jew – to eat anything, but if it offends the weak conscience of another, the Christian will refrain from offending such. Compare the notes on 1 Corinthians 8:10.

569

For, why is my freedom being determined by another person’s conscience: Some view this as an objection from someone insisting on their freedom. There are several views. [NEB, MON] Another view is: BEC: what good is there in doing what I please if someone else’s conscience condemns it. [Romans 14:16; 1 Corinthians 8:12] The problem with the strong conscience and the weak conscience is that those with the weaker conscience often insist the stronger abide by their conscience.

1CO10:30 If I partake with thanks, why am I being criticized regarding what I have given thanks for? 570

570	If I partake with thanks, why am I being criticized regarding what I have given thanks for: Compare the different renderings. [CON, NEB, BEC] [Romans 14:6; 1 Timothy 4:3]

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 – Everything for God’s Glory

1CO10:31 Now then, whether you are eating or drinking, or doing anything else, continue doing everything for God’s glory. 571

571	Continue doing everything for God’s glory: Paul answers the question posed above. [Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11]

1CO10:32 Do not become a cause for stumbling to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the Congregation of The God, 572

572

Do not become a cause for stumbling to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the Congregation of The God: Paul’s second reason is that no others be stumbled. [Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 8:13; 2 Corinthians 6:3] The Christian should strive that nothing is done to cause others to stumble in conscience and thus sin.

1CO10:33 just as I also am pleasing everyone in everything 573 – not seeking my own self-interests, 574 but those of the many, so that they might be saved. 575

573

Just as I also am pleasing everyone in everything: Or, WMS: in the habit of pleasing everybody in everything; RSV: try to please all men in everything I do. See notes on 1 Corinthians 9:22 and 1 Corinthians 10:24. [Philippians 2:4] The Christian is a pleasing person who strives to always consider the feelings of others. This is fundamental to love or compassionate affection.

574	Not seeking my own self-interests: Or, KJV: not seeking my own profit; NOR: personal profit; PME: without considering my own advantage. [1 Corinthians 10:24] The Christian must become a person that is ego-less, self-less, thinking of others first.

575

But those of the many, so that they might be saved: Or, NOR: seek the good of as many as possible; TAY: what is best for them. This phrase is the essence of love: seeking the highest good of another, even if it requires self-sacrifice. Paul’s motive or agenda is the salvation of the many. See notes on 1 Corinthians 9:22.

Review Questions on Chapter Ten