CHAPTER 10

(A.D. 59)

ISRAEL

¹Moreover, Brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant (this means the Holy Spirit doesnt want us to be ignorant about these Truths), how that all our fathers were under the cloud (the Presence of God, which led Israel), and all passed through the Sea (the Red Sea, typifying passing from death to life);

²And were all baptized unto Moses (the Law-Giver was a Type of Christ) in the cloud (a Type of the Presence of the Lord) and in the sea (a type of Water Baptism);

³And did all eat the same spiritual meat (speaking of the Manna as a type of the Lords Supper);

⁴And did all drink the same spiritual drink (refers to the Smitten Rock [Ex. 17:6; Num. 20:11; Ps. 78:15]): for they drank (says literally, they were drinking, implying a continuous gift) of that spiritual Rock that followed them (there is a Jewish legend that says the original Smitten Rock at Rephidim [Ex. 17:6] followed them throughout their entire Wilderness Journey and supplied water for them; every evidence is that it was true): and that Rock was Christ (the Rock typified Christ).

⁵But with many of them God was not well pleased (should have been translated, most of them): for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (This actually refers to God purposely designing their destruction because of their rebellion.)

⁶Now these things were our examples (we are to learn from them, and not make the same mistakes), to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted (proclaims the same results of destruction for modern Christians as for the Israelites of old, that is if modern Believers insist upon living in sin).

⁷Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them (religion is the greatest idolatry of all); as it is written (Ex. 32:6), The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. (I am afraid much of the modern Church is playing, exactly as Israel of Old.)

⁸Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand (a warning against immorality [Num. 25:1-9]).

⁹Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted (refers to questioning the Word of God), and were destroyed of serpents (Num. 21:5-9).

¹⁰Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured (refers to finding fault with the way God is doing things), and were destroyed of the destroyer. (God is the ultimate Destroyer, even though He may use many other things as His instrument.)

¹¹Now all these things happened unto them for examples (as a warning; we had best heed those warnings): and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come (should have been translated, to whom the fulfillment of the ages has arrived, i.e., the Church Age).

WARNING

¹²Wherefore let him who thinks he stands (is addressed to all Believers) take heed lest he fall. (This means to not merely fall from fellowship as some teach, but to fall from Eternal Salvation. This wont happen if the Cross is ever in view.)

¹³There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man (refers to the limitations God has placed upon Satan respecting that which he can or cannot do): but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able (we have His Promise; all temptation is overcome by our Faith remaining constant in Christ and the Cross, which gives the Power of the Holy Spirit to help us [Rom. 8:2]); but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.(As stated, the way of escape is always the Cross [Eph. 6:10-18].)

¹⁴Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. (Anything in which we place our Faith, other than the Cross of Christ, becomes an idol.)

¹⁵I speak as to wise men (whether they were or not, this is what they should have been); judge ye what I say (meaning in this case, what I am about to say).

¹⁶The Cup of Blessing which we bless, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ? (The Lords Supper is a Blessing, if it is understood properly.) The bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ? (The Blood and the Body refer to the price Christ paid on the Cross.)

¹⁷For we being many are one bread, and one body (Christ is the Bread, and the only Bread which produces one Body, i.e., the Church): for we are all partakers of that one Bread. (This speaks of Jesus Christ as being the only Bread of Life. There is no other!)

¹⁸Behold Israel after the flesh (the Law of Moses): are not they which eat of the Sacrifices partakers of the Altar? (This would probably have been better translated, have they not Communion with the Altar? It has reference to the next Verse.)

¹⁹What say I then? (What am I saying?) that the idol is anything, or that which is offered in Sacrifice to idols is anything? (As a strict point, the idol is nothing, nor is the Sacrifice offered to idols anything.)

²⁰But I say, that the things which the Gentiles Sacrifice, they Sacrifice to devils, and not to God (proclaims in blunt terms the powers of darkness behind these idols): and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils. (In effect, he is saying, I do not want you to be sharers or partakers in demons. The same could be said for most modern movies, plus most modern entertainment.)

²¹You cannot drink the Cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils (if we are going to associate with demons, the Lord will not remain): you cannot be partakers of the Lords table (the Lords Supper), and of the table of devils (that which the world offers).

²²Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? (He is definitely jealous of anything in our lives which competes with Him, as ought to be obvious [James 4:5].) are we stronger than He? (This proclaims the warning that Gods jealousy cannot be challenged with impunity.)

THE GLORY OF GOD

²³All things are Lawful for me, but all things are not expedient (addresses Christian Liberty, and, as well, the manner in which it should be attended): all things are Lawful for me, but all things edify not. (This addressed the contention of some of the Corinthians who claimed their Christian rights gave them the freedom to act as they saw fit.)

²⁴Let no man seek his own, but every man anothers wealth.(This should have been translated, every man anothers good, meaning we should think of others regarding all things that we do. Freedom doesnt mean to seek my own good, but rather the good of others.)

²⁵Whatsoever is sold in the shambles (refers to the market place or the meat market), that eat, asking no question for conscience sake (dont bother to inquire whether or not it was originally offered to idols):

²⁶For the earth is the Lords, and the fulness thereof. (Paul uses this Text to justify eating all foods, providing they are desired [Ps. 24:1].)

²⁷If any of them who believe not (unsaved) bid you to a feast, and you be disposed to go (pertains to the homes of these individuals, not to idol Temples); whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake (dont investigate, just eat it and be thankful for it).

²⁸But if any man say unto you, This is offered in Sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake who showed it, and for conscience sake (this stand is to be taken only if the information is revealed by the host): for the earth is the Lords, and the fulness thereof (meaning that this fullness, speaking of meat offered to idols, is not being used in the way the Lord intends):

²⁹Conscience, I say, not your own, but of the other (refers to the fact that we must always be conscious of others): for why is my liberty judged of another mans conscience? (Meaning all that we do must be done with the thought in mind of how it will affect others.)

³⁰For if I by Grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? (The Apostle is saying we cannot please everyone. Some will find fault irrespective what we do.)

³¹Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the Glory of God. (With anything and everything we do, we should always ask ourselves the question: does this bring Glory to God?)

³²Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God:

³³Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit (seek to please all men in all things), but the profit of many, that they may be saved (always with the view in mind of the Salvation of souls).