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Warnings from Israel’s Past
Paul points to Israel’s shared blessings and shared failures to warn the church. The passage teaches that spiritual privileges do not remove the danger of falling, and it finishes with God’s faithful help in temptation.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
Paul addresses “brothers” and speaks about “our fathers”. He recalls experiences they all shared, then contrasts those gifts with God’s displeasure toward most of them. He says these things serve as examples and admonition for those hearing the letter now.
1 Corinthians 10:1–13Main takeaway
Believers should face temptation with humility, care and trust in God’s faithful help.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01All shared the same giftsPaul begins with repeated “all”. Israel was under the cloud, passed through the sea, was baptised into Moses in the cloud and sea, and all ate and drank spiritual food and drink.
Explanation
Paul begins with repeated “all”. Israel was under the cloud, passed through the sea, was baptised into Moses in the cloud and sea, and all ate and drank spiritual food and drink. He adds that the rock was Christ, showing these were weighty shared blessings.
02Yet most still fellVerse 5 gives a sharp contrast. Even though all shared those blessings, “with most of them, God was not well pleased”.
Explanation
Verse 5 gives a sharp contrast. Even though all shared those blessings, “with most of them, God was not well pleased”. They were overthrown in the wilderness. Paul’s warning is plain: participation in remarkable spiritual experiences did not guarantee God’s approval or steady faithfulness.
03Examples written as warningsPaul says these things are examples so “we should not lust after evil things”. He then names idolatry, sexual immorality, testing Christ and grumbling.
Explanation
Paul says these things are examples so “we should not lust after evil things”. He then names idolatry, sexual immorality, testing Christ and grumbling. One warning includes a written quotation about eating, drinking and rising to play. Paul is not retelling the old story in full, but drawing clear moral warnings from it.
04Be careful, and trust GodThese things were written “for our admonition”, so anyone who thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.
Explanation
These things were written “for our admonition”, so anyone who thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. Still, the ending gives comfort. Temptation is common to people, God is faithful, and with temptation he provides a way of escape so believers may endure.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does Paul build the contrast between the blessings and the warning?
Notice the repeated “all” in verses 1 to 4, then compare it with “most of them” in verse 5.
02Which specific sins does Paul name as warnings for his readers?
Begin with the purpose in verse 6, then list the sins named in verses 7 to 10.
03What does verse 13 say God does when temptation comes?
Look for what temptation is like, what God will not allow, and what he provides.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Corinthians 10:1–13
1Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3and all ate the same spiritual food;
4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.
5However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
7Don’t be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
8Let’s not commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.
9Let’s not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.
10Don’t grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.
11Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.
12Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall.
13No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.