1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 Lesson 327

1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
Lesson 327

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

"Flee from idolatry." (10:14-22)

Don't be a stumbling block to those seeking Christ (10:23-11:1).

This lesson ends the segment on what is expected of Christians that began with verse 7:1 (lesson 321).

Unknown artist.

Study Tip:

Before reading the Bible, take a few moments to ask God to open your heart to His holy word.

The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians

The King James Bible

1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
Idol feast, last supper

14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

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

33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 11:1

1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Margin notes:

"Judge ye what I say." (10:15) - "Think about what I say."

"The cup." (10:16) - The cup represents the spiritual sharing in the blood of Jesus, as was done at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:27-28). This sharing acknowledges and thanks Jesus for His sacrifice on the cross.

"Communion." (10:16) - Means spiritual union, intimacy, closeness, sharing, to join together as in a partnership.

"Bread." (10:16) - Represents the body of Christ.

"For we being many are one bread, and one body." (10:17) - Christians use the analogy of bread to symbolize oneness with God. Although there are many believers, they are one body, the body of Christ (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Colossians 3:15).

"Are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?" (10:18) - "Aren't the people who eat the sacrifices at the altar united with God?" Jews felt in fellowship with God when they ate the food sacrificed to Him. Therefore, they were hesitant to eat food sacrificed to idols. They did not want to feel united with false gods. "To partake of the sacrifice among the Jews was a means of union with God. The eating of things sacrificed to false gods, to devils, by analogy, implied union with them." (From "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; page 315).

"What say I then? that the idol is any thing." (10:19) - Do idols have power? Are they gods? Read 1 Corinthians 8:4 for the answer.

"They sacrifice to devils, and not to God." (10:20) - Paul is quoting from Deuteronomy 32:17. See also Leviticus 17:7.

"Cup of devils." (10:21) - Means, "cup for the devils." It was the custom at pagan feasts to set an extra cup of wine out for whatever god the partygoers worshipped. This verse tells us we cannot sit at "the Lord's table" and "the table of devils." We must choose one.

"Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?" (10:22) - Is our God a jealous God? See Exodus 20:3-5; Deuteronomy 32:16; 32:21; and Psalm 78:58 for the answer.

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient." (10:23) - This means "all things are legal for me, but all things are not good." Paul is reinforcing verse 6:12 (lesson 320).

"Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth." (10:24) - Don't worry about your own welfare, be concerned for others.

"Whatsoever is sold in the shambles." (10:25) - The shambles was the food market.

"For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." (10:26) - "For the earth (and everything on it) belongs to God." Paraphrased from Psalm 24:1, 50:12, and 89:11.

"If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast." (10:27) - "If a non-believer invites you to eat."

"Why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?" (10:29) - "Why is my freedom controlled by another person's conscience."

"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (10:31) - Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus and give thanks to God (Colossians 3:17).

"Don't give offense." (10:32) - Never compromise your Christian beliefs, but don't offend others.

You can read about the last supper in Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25 and Luke 22:14-23.

New Living Translation

1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1

14 So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.

15 You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.

16 When we bless the cup at the Lord's Table, aren't we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren't we sharing in the body of Christ?

17 And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.

18 Think about the people of Israel. Weren't they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?

19 What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods?

20 No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don't want you to participate with demons.

21 You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord's Table and at the table of demons, too.

22 What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord's jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is?

23 You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-but not everything is beneficial.

24 Don't be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

25 So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience.

26 For "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."

27 If someone who isn't a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience.

28 (But suppose someone tells you, "This meat was offered to an idol." Don't eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you.

29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks?

30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?

31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

32 Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God.

33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

1 Corinthians 11

1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. Why do verses 10:27-30 matter?

"Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge." Proverbs 12:1

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. Verses 10:27-30 matter because believers should be good role models. If a Christian's actions would damage another's faith, the believer should avoid doing it. Paul uses the example of eating meat sacrificed to idols. But any questionable behavior that causes another to doubt the value of faith, that activity should be avoided.

Application thought for the day:

The history of Israel teaches many lessons.
What one insight from this passage can you apply to your life?
How can you implement that insight and make yourself a better person?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2022 evolke

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