1 Corinthians, Chapter 10
© Copyright 2002 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved 

1 Corinthians 10:1-6
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Paul says that we should not be ignorant, although many do not understand their position in Christ.

We have been crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20).

We have been made alive with Christ (Eph 2:5).

Our lives have been hidden together with Christ in God (Col 3:3).

Most Christians do not see with their spiritual eyes.

Paul prayed that the eyes of our understanding may be enlightened, so that we may know what is the hope of His calling, and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18).

All the Hebrews of Moses’ day went through common experiences, but because of their doubt God was not pleased with them. 

The children of Israel came out of Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, and many died in the wilderness.


We should never become complacent or arrogant. Salvation is too precious. 

1 Corinthians 10:7-11 
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The Children saw God’s power, and they experienced His loving kindness.


At the earliest opportunity the Israelites turned away from the One that brought them out of slavery.

Some (if not most) of the Israelites wanted to leave freedom and go back to slavery in Egypt.

Some of those that profess Christ want to leave the liberty they find in Him and return to the slavery of sin. Read Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

Why would people that have been led to freedom want to go back?

Many of those that have known slavery for a long time are more comfortable in slavery than they are in Freedom.

Humans are a strange bunch.

What happened to the Israelites is an example to Christians as to what not to do.

1 Corinthians 10:12-15
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

If any among us thinks that he/she is holding up quite well under the circumstances of temptation, learn a lesson.

Learn to depend totally on Christ. He is your Deliverer.

At the Red Sea Moses told the Israelites, "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD." (Exod 14:13) The Hebrew word translated "salvation" is Yeshuah---Jesus!

Have you seen the Jesus of the LORD?

V. 13---You are not alone. Every temptation that has befallen you is common to man.

God is faithful! You may fall, but God cannot!

He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your capacity to resist.

How can that be?

Let me go back to a verse that is a problem to many that teach full "free will."

Romans 11:29---"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (NKJV).

How are we saved?

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. (NKJV)

Where is the seal of your salvation?

God’s seal is within you!

John 14:17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (NKJV)

How can you lose something that cannot be lost?

Does the Holy Spirit fall out of your pocket?

The Holy Spirit was never in your pocket! He is in your heart.

In verse 14, Paul simply says to stay away from image-worship.

Does your Church have images that you pray to?

That is not a Christian act!

You cannot be saved through works!

You cannot maintain salvation through works!

Salvation is by grace and grace alone!

Do not judge the Bible on any commentary---not even mine.

Read the bible for yourself! Decide for yourself!

1 Corinthians 10:16-22 
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?

As we share in the blessing of drinking of His blood and eating of the Body of life, please remember that it is symbolism, not cannibalism.

What we do symbolizes the internalizing of Christ. He is in us, and we are in Him!

In verse 16, twice we find the English word communion (Gr. koinoonia-koinwnia).  That word has absolutely nothing to do with the modern Christian concept of communion.

Communion as spoken of here indicates our fellowship in the blood and broken body of Christ.

That breaking of His body and the shedding of His blood took place at Passover---NOT Easter!

The word “Easter” is found in the KJV only once, and that is an anti-Christian translation.

Easter (Gr. Pascha-Pasca) as found in Acts 12:4 actually refers to Passover!

In verse 20, Paul tells his readers that he does not want them to “fellowship with devils.”

Fellowship (Gr. koinoonous-koinwnouV) also speaks of “communion” as used previously in v. 16.

Unfortunately, many church attendees have more fellowship with devils than they do with Christ.

Modern daily, monthly, and in some cases quarterly communion cannot be found in the Bible.  However, the Passover Seder is found their and ignored by many who believe themselves to be followers of Christ.

We have been called to eat with Christ!

John 6:56-58
56 "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.
57 "As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
58 "This is the bread which came down from heaven-- not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." (NKJV)

Paul mentions food sacrificed to idols.  That was a problem under Roman imperialism.

We cannot eat at the Lamb’s banquet and at the same time fellowship with Satan.

1 Corinthians 10:23-30 

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?

Do you understand verse 23?

It is not license to fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

As a Christian, I can get as drunk as I want. And as a Christian, I do not desire to drink alcohol!

A single drink of alcohol will not send you to hell. But, having been associated with a Christian rehab facility for over 25 years, I can say with understanding that it is a pretty good first step.

If you are a "liberal" Christian, get your eyes off the "all things being lawful" part of verse 23 and onto the "not all things are expedient" and the "all things edify not" sections.

Verse 24 tells us not to plot for our own advantages.

We are to seek what is best for others.

Then, Paul tells us to eat whatever is sold in the butcher shop and not to worry about it.

Why so much concern about food?

Paul had to battle against his "thorn in the flesh", Judaizers.

Judaizers insisted that all Gentile Christians must become proselyte Jews before being allow fellowship within Christianity.

They were not Christians.

They were wolves in sheep’s clothing that had been ordained by Satan to cause problems in the Church.

If a Minister, Priest, or Pastor teaches a works salvation, get out as soon as possible. Do not wait get out today!

Any Church that does not teach a grace is a false Church. 

Some teach that Adam gave away the earth to Satan. It sells a lot of books, but it is wrong!

God never gave the earth to Adam, so Adam could not give it to Satan.

Adam was the manager, not the owner.

Verse 26 says that the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof!

Psalm 50:10---"For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills" (NKJ).

Does that sound as if Satan was large and in charge?

The Created has always belonged to the Creator!

Verses 27 through 30 simply say that we are to do all by grace and not worry.

Do not accept the negative judgment of non-Christians.

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 

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.

No matter what you do, do all to the glory of God!

We are not to lead others into sin.

As we ask God not to lead us into sin, we are not to lead others.

As much as is possible, we are to live at peace with others.

Sometimes it just is not possible to live in peace.

Sin does not live in peace with righteousness.

Christ does not live in peace with Satan.

Please keep in mind that we were sinners before Christ found us. 

Chapter 11
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