Chapter 10 Corinth

Chapter Contents
The great privileges, and yet terrible overthrow of the Israelites in the wilderness. (1-5) Cautions against all
idolatrous, and other sinful practices. (6-14) The partaking in idolatry cannot exist with having communion with
Christ. (15-22) All we do to be to the glory of God, and without offence to the consciences of others. (23-33)
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:1-5
(Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-5)
To dissuade the Corinthians from communion with idolaters, and security in any sinful course, the apostle sets
before them the example of the Jewish nation of old. They were, by a miracle, led through the Red Sea, where the
pursuing Egyptians were drowned. It was to them a typical baptism. The manna on which they fed was a type of
Christ crucified, the Bread which came down from heaven, which whoso eateth shall live for ever. Christ is the
Rock on which the Christian church is built; and of the streams that issue therefrom, all believers drink, and are
refreshed. It typified the sacred influences of the Holy Spirit, as given to believers through Christ. But let none
presume upon their great privileges, or profession of the truth; these will not secure heavenly happiness.
Carnal desires gain strength by indulgence, therefore should be checked in their first rise. Let us fear the sins of
Israel, if we would shun their plagues. And it is but just to fear, that such as tempt Christ, will be left by him in the
power of the old serpent. Murmuring against God's disposals and commands, greatly provokes him. Nothing in
Scripture is written in vain; and it is our wisdom and duty to learn from it. Others have fallen, and so may we. The
Christian's security against sin is distrust of himself. God has not promised to keep us from falling, if we do not look
to ourselves. To this word of caution, a word of comfort is added. Others have the like burdens, and the like
temptations: what they bear up under, and break through, we may also. God is wise as well as faithful, and will
make our burdens according to our strength. He knows what we can bear. He will make a way to escape; he will
deliver either from the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. We have full encouragement to flee from sin, and to
be faithful to God. We cannot fall by temptation, if we cleave fast to him. Whether the world smiles or frowns, it is
an enemy; but believers shall be strengthened to overcome it, with all its terrors and enticements. The fear of the
Lord, put into their hearts, will be the great means of safety.
Did not the joining in the Lord's supper show a profession of faith in Christ crucified, and of adoring gratitude to
him for his salvation ? Christians, by this ordinance, and the faith therein professed, were united as the grains of
wheat in one loaf of bread, or as the members in the human body, seeing they were all united to Christ, and had
fellowship with him and one another. This is confirmed from the Jewish worship and customs in sacrifice. The
apostle applies this to feasting with idolaters. Eating food as part of a heathen sacrifice, was worshipping the idol to
whom it was made, and having fellowship or communion with it; just as he who eats the Lord's supper, is accounted
to partake in the Christian sacrifice, or as they who ate the Jewish sacrifices partook of what was offered on their
altar. It was denying Christianity; for communion with Christ, and communion with devils, could never be had at
once. If Christians venture into places, and join in sacrifices to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride
of life, they will provoke God.
There were cases wherein Christians might eat what had been offered to idols, without sin. Such as when the flesh
was sold in the market as common food, for the priest to whom it had been given. But a Christian must not merely
consider what is lawful, but what is expedient, and to edify others. Christianity by no means forbids the common
offices of kindness, or allows uncourteous behaviour to any, however they may differ from us in religious
sentiments or practices. But this is not to be understood of religious festivals, partaking in idolatrous worship.
According to this advice of the apostle, Christians should take care not to use their liberty to the hurt of others, or to
their own reproach. In eating and drinking, and in all we do, we should aim at the glory of God, at pleasing and
honouring him. This is the great end of all religion, and directs us where express rules are wanting. A holy,
peaceable, and benevolent spirit, will disarm the greatest enemies.
erses 1-33
Chapter 10
THE PERIL OF OVER-CONFIDENCE (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)
10:1-13 Brothers, I do not want you to forget that all our fathers were under the cloud, and
all of them passed through the midst of the sea, and all of them were baptized into Moses in
the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same food which the Spirit of God gave to them; and
all drank the same drink which came to them by the action of the Spirit; for they drank of the
rock which accompanied them through the action of the Spirit, and that rock was Christ. All
the same, with the majority of them God was not well pleased; for they were left dead, strewn
in the desert. These things have become examples to us, so that we should not be men who
long for evil and forbidden things as they longed after them. Nor must you become idolaters
as some of them did, as it stands written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up
to enjoy their sport." Nor must we practise fornication, as certain of them practised
fornication, with the consequence that twenty-three thousand of them died in one day. Nor
must we try the patience of the Lord beyond the limit, as some of them tried it, and in
consequence were destroyed by serpents. Nor must you grumble, as certain of them grumbled,
and were destroyed by the destroyer. It was to show what can happen that these things
happened to them. They were written to warn us upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
So then let him who thinks that he stands secure take care lest he fall. No test has come upon
you other than that which comes on every man. You can rely on God, for he will not allow you
to be tested beyond what you are able to bear, but he will send with the trial an escape route
as well, so that you may be able to bear it.
In this chapter Paul is still dealing with the question of eating meat which has been offered to idols. At the back of
this passage lies the over-confidence of some of the Corinthian Christians. Their point of view was, "We have been
baptized and are therefore one with Christ; we have partaken of the sacrament and so of the body and the blood of
Christ; we are in him and he is in us; therefore we are quite safe; we can eat meat offered to idols and take no harm."
So Paul warns of the danger of over-confidence.
When Oliver Cromwell was planning the education of his son Richard, he said, "I would have him learn a little
history." And it is to history that Paul goes to show what can happen to people who have been blessed with the
greatest privileges. He goes back to the days when the children of Israel were wayfarers in the desert. In those days
the most wonderful things happened to them. They had the cloud which showed them the way and protected them in
the hour of danger. (Exodus 13:21; Exodus 14:19). They were brought through the midst of the Red Sea (Exodus
14:19-31). Both these experiences had given them a perfect union with Moses the greatest of leaders and law-givers,
until it could be said that they were baptized into him as the Christian is baptized into Christ. They had eaten of the
manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:11-15). In 1 Corinthians 10:5 Paul speaks of them drinking of the rock which
followed them. This is taken not from the Old Testament itself but from Rabbinic tradition. Numbers 20:1-11 tells
how God enabled Moses to draw water from the rock for the thirsty people; the Rabbinic tradition was that that rock
thereafter followed the people and always gave them water to drink. That was a legend which all the Jews knew.
All these privileges the children of Israel possessed, and yet in spite of them they failed most signally. When the
people were too terrified to go forward into the Promised Land and all the scouts except Joshua and Caleb brought
back a pessimistic report, God's judgment was that that whole generation would die in the desert. (Numbers 14:30-
32). When Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the law, the people seduced Aaron into making a golden calf and
worshipping it. (Exodus 32:6). They were guilty of fornication, even in the desert, with the Midianites and the
Moabites and thousands perished in the judgment of God. (Numbers 25:1-9). (It is to be noted in passing
that Numbers 25:9 says twenty-four thousand perished; Paul says twenty-three thousand. The explanation is simply
that Paul is quoting from memory. He rarely quotes scripture with verbatim accuracy; no one did in those days.
There was no such thing as a concordance to help find a passage easily; scripture was not written in books, which
had not yet been invented, but on unwieldy rolls.) They were wasted with serpents because they grumbled on the
way (Numbers 21:4-6). When Korah, Dathan and Abiram led a grumbling revolt, judgment fell on many and they
died. (Numbers 16:1-50 ).
The history of Israel shows that people who enjoyed the greatest privileges of God were far from being safe from
temptation; special privilege, Paul reminds the Corinthians, is no guarantee whatever of security.
We must note the temptations and the failures which Paul singles out.
(i) There is the temptation to idolatry. We do not now worship idols so blatantly; but if a man's god be that to which
he gives all his time and thought and energy, men still worship the works of their own hands more than they worship
God.
(ii) There is the temptation to fornication. So long as a man is a man there come to him temptations from his lower
self. Only a passionate love of purity can save him from impurity.
(iii) There is the temptation to try God too far. Consciously or unconsciously many a man trades on the mercy of
God. At the back of his mind there is the idea, "It will be all right; God will forgive." It is at his peril that he forgets
that there is a holiness as well as a love of God.
(iv) There is the temptation to grumble. There are still many who greet life with a whine and not with a cheer.
So Paul insists on the need of vigilance. "Let him who thinks he stands secure take care lest he fall." Again and
again a fortress has been stormed because its defenders thought that it was impregnable. In Revelation 3:3 the risen
Christ warns the Church of Sardis to be on the watch. The Acropolis of Sardis was built on a jutting spur of rock that
was held to be impregnable. When Cyrus was besieging it, he offered a special reward to any who could find a way
in. A certain soldier, Hyeroeades by name, was watching one day and saw a soldier in the Sardian garrison drop his
helmet accidentally over the battlements. He saw him climb down after it and marked his path. That night he led a
band up the cliffs by that very path and when they reached the top they found it quite unguarded; so they entered in
and captured the citadel, which had been counted too safe. Life is a chancy business; we must be ever on the watch.
Paul concludes this section by saying three things about temptation.
(i) He is quite sure that temptation will come. That is part of life. But the Greek word which we translate temptation
means far more a test. It is something designed, not to make us fall, but to test us, so that we emerge from it stronger
than ever.
(ii) Any temptation that comes to us is not unique. Others have endured it and others have come through it. A friend
tells how he was once driving Lightfoot, the great Bishop of Durham, in a horse carriage along a very narrow
mountain road in Norway. It got so narrow that there were only inches between the wheels of the carriage and the
cliffs on one side and the precipice on the other. He suggested in the end that Lightfoot would be safer to get out and
walk. Lightfoot surveyed the situation and said, "Other carriages must have taken this road. Drive on." In the Greek
Anthology there is an epigram which gives the epitaph of a shipwrecked sailor, supposedly from his own lips. "A
shipwrecked mariner on this coast bids you set sail," he says. His bark may have been lost but many more have
weathered the storm. When we are going through it, we are going through what others have, in the grace of God,
endured and conquered.
(iii) With the temptation there is always a way of escape. The word is vivid (ekbasis, Greek #1545). It means a way
out of a defile, a mountain pass. The idea is of an army apparently surrounded and then suddenly seeing an escape
route to safety. No man need fall to any temptation, for with the temptation there is the way out, and the way out is
not the way of surrender nor of retreat, but the way of conquest in the power of the grace of God.
THE SACRAMENTAL OBLIGATION (1 Corinthians 10:14-22)
10:14-22 So then, my beloved ones, avoid everything that has to do with idols. I speak as I
would to sensible men; pass your own judgment on what I am saying. Is not this blessed cup
on which we ask the blessing, a very sharing in the blood of Jesus Christ? Is not the bread
which we break a very sharing in the body of Christ? Just as the broken bread is one, so we,
though we are many, are one body. For we all share in the one bread. Look at the nation of
Israel in the racial sense. Do not those who eat of the sacrifices become sharers with the altar
in them? What then am I saying? Am I saying that a thing which has been offered to idols is
actually a real sacrifice? Am I saying that an idol is actually something? I do not say that, but
I do say that what pagans sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not
want you to share things with the demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of
demons. Or are we too to provoke the jealousy of the Lord? Surely you do not think that you
are stronger than he is?
Behind this passage there are three ideas; two of them are peculiar to the age in which Paul lived; one is forever true
and valid.
(i) As we have seen, when sacrifice was offered, part of the meat was given back to the worshipper to hold a feast.
At such a feast it was always held that the god himself was a guest. More, it was often held that, after the meat had
been sacrificed, the god himself was in it and that at the banquet he entered into the very bodies and spirits of those
who ate. Just as an unbreakable bond was forged between two men if they ate each other's bread and salt, so a
sacrificial meal formed a real communion between the god and his worshipper. The person who sacrificed was in a
real sense a sharer with the altar; he had a mystic communion with the god.
(ii) At this time the whole world believed in demons. These demons might be good or bad, but more often they were
bad. They were spirits who were intermediate between the gods and men. For the Greek every spring, every grove,
every mountain, every tree, every stream, every pool, every rock, every place had its demon. "There were gods in
every fountain and every mountain summit; gods breathing in the wind and flashing in the lightning; gods in the ray
of the sun and the star; gods heaving in the earthquake and the storm." The world was packed with demons. For the
Jew there were the shedim (Hebrew #7700). These were evil spirits who haunted empty houses, who lurked "in the
crumbs on the floor, in the oil in the vessels, in the water which we would drink, in the diseases which attack us, in
the air, in the room, by day and by night."
Paul believed in these demons; he called them "principalities and powers." His point of view was this--an idol was
nothing and stood for nothing; but the whole business of idol worship was the work of the demons; through it they
seduced men from God. When they were worshipping idols, men thought they were worshipping gods; in fact they
were being deluded by these malignant demons. Idol worship brought a man into contact, not with God, but with
demons; and anything to do with it had the demonic taint on it. Meat offered to idols was nothing, but the fact
remained it had served the purposes of demons and was therefore a polluted thing.
(iii) Out of this ancient set of beliefs comes one permanent principle--a man who has sat at the table of Jesus Christ
cannot go on to sit at the table which is the instrument of demons. If a man has handled the body and blood of Christ
there are things he cannot touch.
One of the great statues of Christ is that by Thorwaldsen; after he had carved it, he was offered a commission to
carve a statue of Venus for the Louvre. His answer, was "The hand that carved the form of Christ can never carve
the form of a heathen goddess."
When Prince Charlie was fleeing for his life he found refuge with the eight men of Glenmoriston. They were
outlaws and criminals every one; there was a price of 30,000 British pounds on Charlie's head; they had not a
shilling among them; but for weeks they hid him and kept him safe and not a man betrayed him. The years passed on
until the rebellion was but an old, unhappy memory. One of the eight men, Hugh Chisholm by name, found his way
to Edinburgh. People were interested now in his story of the prince and they talked to him. He was poor and
sometimes they would give him money. But always Hugh Chisholm would shake hands with his left hand. He said
that when Prince Charlie left the eight men he shook hands with them; and Hugh had sworn that he would never
again give to any man the hand he had given to his prince.
It was true in Corinth and it is true today, that the man who has handled the sacred things of Christ cannot soil his
hands with mean and unworthy things.
THE LIMITS OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM (1 Corinthians 10:23-33; 1 Corinthians 11:1)
10:23-33 All things are allowed to me, but all things are not good for me. All things are
allowed, but all things do not build up. Let no one think only of his own good, but let him
think of the good of the other man too. Eat everything that is sold in the market place, and
don't ask fussy questions for conscience sake; for the earth and its fulness belong to god. If
one of the pagans invites you to a meal, and you are willing to go, eat anything that is put
before you, and don't ask questions for conscience sake. But if anyone says to you, "This is
meat that was part of a sacrifice," don't eat it, for the sake of him who told you and for
conscience sake. I don't mean your own conscience, but the conscience of the other man, for
why has my liberty to be subject to the judgment of any man's conscience? If I partake of
something after I have given thanks for it, how can I unjustly be criticized for eating that for
which I gave thanks? So then, whether you eat or whether you drink or whatever you do, do
all things to God's glory. Live in such a way that you will cause neither Jew nor Greek nor
church member to stumble, just as I in all things try to win the approval of all men, for I am
not in this job for what I can get out of it, but for what benefits I can bring to the many, that
they may be saved. So then show yourselves to be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Paul brings to an end this long discussion of the question of meat offered to idols with some very practical advice.
(i) His advice is that a Christian can buy anything that is sold in the shops and ask no questions. It was true that the
meat sold in the shops might well have formed part of a sacrifice or have been slaughtered in the name of some god
lest the demons enter into it; but it is possible to be too fussy and to create difficulties where none need exist. After
all, in the last analysis, all things are God's.
(ii) If the Christian accepts an invitation to dinner in the house of a pagan, let him eat what is put before him and ask
no questions. But, if he is deliberately informed that the meat is part of a sacrifice, he must not eat it. The
assumption is that he is told by one of these brothers who cannot rid his conscience of the feeling that to eat such
meat is wrong. Rather than bring worry to such a man the Christian must not eat.
(iii) So once again out of an old and remote situation emerges a great truth. Many a thing that a man may do with
perfect safety as far as he himself is concerned, he must not do if it is going to be a stumbling-block to someone else.
There is nothing more real than Christian freedom; but Christian freedom must be used to help others and not to
shock or hurt them. A man has a duty to himself but a still greater duty to others.
We must note to where that duty extends.
(i) Paul insisted that a Corinthian Christian must be a good example to the Jews. Even to his enemies a man must be
an example of the fine things.
(ii) The Corinthian Christian had a duty to the Greeks; that is to say he had to show a good example to those who
were quite indifferent to Christianity. It is in fact by that example that many are won. There was a minister who went
far out of his way to help a man who had nothing to do with the Church and rescued him from a difficult situation.
That man began to come to Church and in the end made an astonishing request. He asked to be made an elder that he
might spend his life showing his gratitude for what Christ through his servant had done for him.
(iii) The Corinthian Christian had a duty to his fellow Church member. It is the plain fact of life that somebody takes
the cue for his conduct from everyone of us. We may not know it; but a younger or a weaker brother is often looking
to us for a lead. It is our duty to give that lead which will strengthen the weak and confirm the waverer and save the
tempted from sin.
We can do all things to the glory of God only when we remember the duty we must discharge to our fellow men;
and we will do that only when we remember that our Christian freedom is given to us not for our own sake but for
the sake of others.
1 Corinthians 11:1-34; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40 are amongst the most
difficult in the whole epistle for a modem person in the western world to understand; but they are also among the
most interesting, for they deal with the problems which had arisen in the Corinthian Church in connection with
public worship. In them we see the infant Church struggling with the problem of offering a fitting and a seemly
worship to God. It will make the section easier to follow if we set out at the beginning the various parts of which it is
composed.
(i) 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 deals with the problem of whether or not women should worship with their heads
uncovered.
(ii) 1 Corinthians 11:17-23 deals with problems which have arisen in connection with the Agape (Greek #26) or
Love Feast, the weekly common meal which the Christian congregation held.
(iii) 1 Corinthians 11:24-34 deals with the correct observance of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
(iv) 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 discusses the problem of welding into one harmonious whole those who possess all kinds
of different gifts. It is here that we have the great picture of the Church as the Body of Christ, and of each member
as a limb in that body.
(v) 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 is the great hymn of love which shows men the more excellent way.
(vi) 1 Corinthians 14:1-23 deals with the problem of speaking with tongues.
(vii) 1 Corinthians 14:24-33 insists on the necessity of orderliness in public worship and seeks to bring under
necessary discipline the overflowing enthusiasm of a newly born Church.
(viii) 1 Corinthians 14:24-36 discusses the place of women in the public worship of God in the Church of Corinth.
FIRST CORINTHIANS
Things Which Disqualify

Corinthians 10:1-13
It is not uncommon for Christians who believe in the eternal security of the believer, (and I believe this
doctrine) to become smugly secure in the outworking of this precious truth in the life. A person may falsely reason,
"I'm secure in Christ. I'm saved and can’t be lost. If I sin a little, surely God will be gracious and forgive me.” How
often we take advantage of the compassion and mercy of a loving God, not realizing that He requires holiness of life
from his people. We often forget that a Christian can be disqualified from the spiritual race.
Paul tells us that he was running the spiritual race that he might not be disqualified.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way
as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get
a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run
like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and
make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the
prize (I Cor. 9:24-27).
The Apostle Paul exercised rigorous, strenuous self-discipline and self-control over his body in order to run the race
and win the prize which included final salvation and the receiving of rewards, spiritual crowns which he would
throw at the feet of Christ at the final Judgment Seat of Christ. The word “disqualified” is the Greek word adokimos
which means “to test and disapprove or reject.” Paul has in mind the loss of rewards for a Christian and may
indirectly imply total rejection or reprobation by God as an unbeliever. Certainly the context is about receiving
rewards as a Christian for faithful service, but the word might also include a reprobate or a castaway; that is a person
who is faking Christianity, who fails to persevere and who will ultimately abandon the Christian faith by turning
away from Christ and going back into the world. By mere outward appearance, it is hard to tell a true Christian out
of fellowship with Christ from a mere professing Christian whose heart has never been subdued by the sovereign
Christ. Only God knows for sure who the elect are, and we can only surmise who the elect are by their profession of
faith in Christ and the spiritual fruits which flow from the life.
Apparently some of the Christians at Corinth had become smugly secure in their Christian life. They were
abusing their Christian liberties. They had become somewhat careless and reckless in their Christian conduct.
Furthermore, they were not very interested in pursuing a life of holiness, so Paul exhorts them to get on with the
Christian race lest they be disqualified. Paul uses Israel in I Corinthians 10:1-13 as an illustration of a whole
generation which was disqualified from the spiritual race because of godless conduct.
I Corinthians 10:11 says, “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings
for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” All that happened to Israel happened for a definite purpose
that we who are Christians might learn from them. Therefore, this section of Scripture is not just for the Corinthians
but for the whole church of Christ Jesus.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF ISRAEL'S FAILURE 10:1-5
Israel's Privileges (10-1-4)

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, many of the Corinthians thought they knew
everything. They considered themselves very spiritual, believing they had arrived in Christian maturity. Paul had to
remind them about the Israelites who failed to exercise self-discipline and self-control in their spiritual experience
and the whole nation, twenty years old and up, was disqualified. Paul will go on to show how the Israelites had
tremendous blessing and spiritual privilege but blew it because of unbelief and disobedience.
That our forefathers were all under the cloud.. . The cloud is a reference to the Shekinah glory which
hovered over the camp of Israel, shining by day to guide them and becoming a pillar of fire at night to protect them.
The cloud is a symbol of God’s presence with Israel as He led them out of Egypt, across the Red Sea and in the
desert for 40 years.
Israel is a type or illustration of the church. Each Christian enjoys the constant presence of Jesus Christ as
spiritual Israel, for Christ said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
And that they all passed through the sea. Every Israelite, from the newest infant to the most elderly, passed
supernaturally through the Red Sea. All were miraculously delivered from Egypt, escaping the dominion of Pharaoh
and slavery.
This, again, is the privilege of every Christian, for every believer as spiritual Israel, has been delivered from
the bondage of sin. The Bible says, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that
you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious
blood of Christ, a Iamb without blemish or defect” (I Pet 1:18-19).
They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. The secondary meaning of the word
“baptism” is “to identify with.” Israel was not immersed into Moses or the Red Sea. Every Israelite was identified
with Moses who was God’s appointed leader over them.
Every Christian is spiritually identified with Jesus Christ, his or her supernatural leader, and is put into
indissoluble union with Him at the moment of conversion. Christ, therefore, becomes the Christian’s head or leader.
They all ate the same spiritual food. Every Israelite ate the manna which was a heavenly and
supernaturally provided by God to sustain and strengthen them.
Every Christian has the privilege of feasting upon Jesus Christ by faith. Christ said, "I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (Jn. 6:35). As
Christians, we are dependent upon Christ for spiritual sustenance and strength.
And drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that
rock was Christ. At the beginning and the end of the 40 years journey, God provided water for the Israelites in a
supernatural way. There was a literal rock, and from that rock flowed an abundance of water. The rock, Paul says,
was Christ. This does not mean a rock was rolling behind the children of Israel all through the desert. The water
came from the rock, but the source of the water was provided by the pre-incarnate Christ, the second person of the
Trinity. What Paul is saying is that whenever the symbol of the rock appears in the Old Testament, it is a reference
to the person of Christ. In the Old Testament, the Rock was a title for Jehovah, so Paul is saying that Christ is the
Jehovah of the Old Testament; that is, He is full deity come in the flesh.
Notice the repetition of the word “all.” Israel had great privileges, great blessings, but they became
complacent in their spiritual experience. The point is obvious that the spiritually privileged can fall into sin
regardless of how privileged they are. Furthermore, believers may experience miracles as did Israel but still God was
not pleased with them because of unbelief. Some people think because God has done some special things for them
that anything they do is O.K. with God. How wrong they are!
Israel’s Punishment (10:5)

Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. The
Bible says 600,000 men left Egypt, and if women and children are included, about two million Israelites came out of
Egypt. Of those 20 years old and over only two entered the promised land - Joshua and Caleb. Multiple thousands of
these Israelites died in the desert. Why? Because of unbelief and disobedience. They were disqualified from the
spiritual race. From the border of Egypt to the border of Canaan, their bodies were scattered and strewn all over the
desert. This was God’s judgment against rebels. What calloused hearts these Jews had! Even Moses did not make it
into the promised land because he became angry with the Israelites and disobeyed God’s specific command. He
struck the rock instead of speaking to it to get water. What was so bad about that? Anytime believers disobey God,
there are consequences, especially those in leadership.
Try to picture hundreds of thousands of dead corpses littered and strewn all over the desert. These Israelites
died physically because of the judgment of God. Were they believers or unbelievers, possessors of professors, true
saints or false saints? We cannot know the answer to that question for sure, but God knew. By their lives, we cannot
tell whether they were saved or unsaved, but God knew and only eternity will tell for sure. Nothing specifically is
said about their eternal destiny because that is not the point of the story. The point is that these things happened as
an example and warning to Christians. Whatever their spiritual condition, they were a presumptuous generation. It is
my opinion that many of the Israelites were truly saved, but only God knows the motives of the human heart. The
only way we can know whether a
person is a true believer is by the spiritual fruit which comes from one’s life. If some of these Israelites were
believers, they were disqualified from the race and God either put them on the shelf so as to have no useful life of
service or He brought them physical death for their unbelief and disobedience. God can and does remove His power
from a rebellious Christian who fails to obey Him, and he can check him out of the world if the rebellion continues.
This may also indirectly refer to God’s wrathful judgment against professing believers who were never
regenerate, never truly saved. Of the two million who left Egypt, it would be difficult to tell who were and were not
true believers. We do know there was a mixed multitude even among the Israelites. And a mixed multitude went up
also with them (Exo. 12:38 ASB).
INSTRUCTION AS TO WHY ISRAEL FAILED 10:6-11
Craving for Evil Things (10:6)

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Israel
had been out of Egypt for about a year and camped at Mt. Sinai for a period of time. In unbelief, they began to lust.
An inordinate desire began to swell up in them. They began to crave the flesh pots of Egypt.
The rabble (mixed multitude) with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started
wailing and said, "If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—
also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never
see anything but manna!” (Num. 11:4-6).
They wanted the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic of Egypt. Actually, it was lousy slave food, but in
their unbelief and complacency that which was bad was remembered as good. The Israelites began to complain
about the heavenly food manna. They craved the old way of life in Egypt. They were camped at Sinai, but their
hearts were in Egypt. God was so displeased with this unbelief that thousands died by His judgment of a plague and
their corpses were littered all over the desert.
Therefore the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had
craved other food (Num. 11:35).
How appropriate this example was for the libertine Corinthians who were toying with the idea of going
back into some form of pagan temple worship which they had been delivered out of by the power of Christ. Abusing
their Christian liberty they were flirting with idolatry. They were lusting after the meats offered to idols in the pagan
temples. This longing to go back into the old, unconverted life would disqualify them if they really did it.
Christian, how many times have you said, "I would like to go back and do a few things I did before I
became a Christian. I feel so confined. I know it would be sin, but it is fun and God will forgive me.” To take this
kind of attitude is to be presumptuous Christian, presuming on the grace of God, and it may disqualify you from the
spiritual race. God is displeased and heartbroken when we long to go back into that old life from which Christ
delivered us by His own precious blood. Don’t blame God when you give in to your sinful desires. God does not
tempt us with evil but we yield to sinful desires.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor
does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away
and enticed. Then, after desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown,
gives birth to death (Jms. 1:13-15).
Participating in Idolatry (10:7)

Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got
up to indulge in pagan revelry.” According to Exodus 32:6, Israel was guilty of idolatry when they made the golden
calf. While Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai, the people got tired of waiting after 40 days,
so they had a pagan, idolatrous feast. This was a wild party that ended in an orgy. The Israelites did not believe they
were idolatrous when they made the golden calf. They did not see it as a violation of the second commandment
which says, “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath
or in the waters below” (Exo. 20:4). They probably rationalized that the golden calf was only an aid to the worship
of Jehovah. Yet, 3000 Israelites died and more were disciplined because of this incident. The Levites did as Moses
commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died (Exo. 32:28).
Paul was warning these Corinthians to avoid any type of idolatry, for they were being enticed back into the
pagan temples. They probably didn’t think this was wrong but God did. In fact, in I Corinthians 10:21, Paul said that
to go back into idolatry of any kind was to get mixed up with demons. Idolatry of any kind would disqualify the
Corinthians from running and winning the race.
In I John 5:2 1, Christians are told, “Dear children, keep yourselves, from idols.” What is idolatry? In the truest
sense, idolatry is the worshiping of a false God. By application, it may be the worship of a physical object or the
worship of some mental concept. Anything which takes the place of Christ in our lives is idolatry. An idol is
anything we love more than Christ. Many Christians bow down mentally and worship their homes, cars, boats,
children, mates, sports figures, rock-and-roll artists or a movie star. This is idolatry of the mind and it is just as
serious as bowing to a stick or stone. Idolatry of the mind can easily ensnare us and keep us from winning the race.
Idolatry can and will disqualify us!
Participating in Sexual Immorality (10:9)

We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of
them died. The Israelites had come up to the border of Canaan, the promised land, and instead of trusting God to go
into the land, they fell into sexual immorality. While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in
sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices of their gods (Num. 25:1). Israel began
to commit fornication with the daughters of Moab and joined themselves to the pagan god Baal-peor. Why? Because
of unbelief. This displeased the Lord and judgment came in the form of a plague and 23,000 died in one day and
another thousand died before the discipline was all over.
Some of the Corinthians were flirting with temple worship and with the temple worship came sexual
immorality. Surely, this would invite the judgment of God on them.
We Christians live in a sexually corrupt country. America has bowed its knee to the god of sex. If we
Christians choose to participate in this evil life style, God will be displeased and may disqualify us from the spiritual
race. Are a few moments of pleasure worth this severe discipline?
Testing the Lord (10:9)

We should not test the Lord, as some of them did -- and were killed by snakes. The Israelites challenged
Moses and God with their griping and complaining about the faithfulness of God.
But the people grow impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said,
“Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no
water! And we detest this miserable food!” Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them;
they bit the people and many Israelites died (Num. 21:5-6).
They hated the desert, so they began to repudiate the faithfulness of God. In their repeated griping, carping and
complaining against God and their failure to rest in God’s faithfulness, the Israelites pushed God to the limit of His
patience and it displeased Him. They put God to the test. They wanted to see if He would really discipline as He
promised He would do. They wanted to see how far they could go in negative attitudes before God would lower the
boom. God brought judgment on them and many were disqualified.
Some of the Corinthian Christians were testing the Lord with the questionable conduct in doubtful things.
They wanted to see how close they could get in libertinism and pagan idol worship without being burned by God.
They were in danger of being disqualified.
Christians today are constantly testing God, trying to push Him to the limit in patience to see how close to
the fire they can get without being disciplined. They see how much sin they can get away with. They play games
with God. They test Him in the areas of materialism, worldly attitudes, recreations, sexual morals, church attendance
and a thousand other areas. God will only let the Christian go so far before He lowers the boom. Testing God
displeases Him, and our testing becomes a basis for disqualification from the spiritual race.
Grumbling Before the Lord (10:10)

And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. This is a reference to
Numbers 16 where the young men, Korah, Dathan and Abiram, grumbled against the authority of Moses. They
brought a rebellion to the camp. They were unhappy with the Leadership of Moses.
(Korah, Dathan and Abiram) became insolent and rose up against Moses. With them were 250
Israelite men, well-known community leaden who had been appointed members of the council.
They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The
whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set
yourselves above the LORD’S assembly”? (Num. 16:2-3)
They refused to submit to Moses who was appointed by God, so in reality they refused to submit to God.
This displeased Jehovah-God and the ground opened up and swallowed these three young men and their 250
followers. Then God killed 14,700 more by plague because they were grumbling in their rebellion. They had a
negative spirit. They refused to submit to God and His ordained leadership. Those who rebelled were disqualified.
Grumbling is a sin just as serious as idol worship, sexual immorality, and having it your way over God’s.
Grumbling places a barrier between a person and God. It also drives a wedge between him and the other
people against whom he grumbles (Knofel Staton, I Corinthians).
ADMONITION TO PERSEVERANCE IN HOLINESS 10:11-12
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the
fulfillment of the ages has come. Paul is saying that Israel is a type or example for the church. The culmination of all
past ages has been brought to an end in the church age. Christians are the people whom God, the Lord of history,
had in mind when these events took place and were recorded in the Old Testament. The lessons the past ages teach
us on how to live as Christians are invaluable. Remember, he who fails to learn from spiritual history is doomed to
relive it.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fail! Now Paul gives a stern warning to the
Corinthians. They were smugly complacent in their election. They were abusing their Christian liberties because
they knew they were eternally secure in Christ. They were cocksure of their position and privileges in Christ, so
much so that they were living recklessly. Paul says, “Watch out, lest you fall!”
Christian, don’t get complacent and smugly secure or the devil or the flesh or the world will sneak up on
you to entice you to sin so you will fall spiritually. The kingdom of darkness is trying to assault you and overcome
you so as to discourage and defeat you. The devil would like nothing better than that you should fall and be
disqualified. You are under attack. You are in a battle. You are running a race that must be won. You are fighting a
war with a clever and ruthless enemy whose devices are clever and whose strategies are subtle. The moment you
think you have it made spiritually, you are the target of the fiery darts of Satan. He can trip you and trap you in a
thousand different ways. This all may result in disqualification which involves being set on the shelf for service or
being checked out of this world by physical death. Take heed, Christian, lest you fall!
No matter how strong you think you are, no matter how many sins you have overcome in the past,
you should not let down your guard, you should never assume that you are beyond temptation
(Table Talk).
APPLICATION OF GOD’S PROMISE TO TESTING 10:13
No temptation (testing) has seized you except what is common to man. As soon as Paul gives this stern
warning to persevere in holiness of life, he gives a comforting promise to those Christians who have a tender
conscience, thinking that they are so sinful they would immediately be disqualified from the race. The word
“temptation” in my opinion could be better translated “testing.” Paul’s encouragement is that our testings are not
unique to us, for all men have testings. We are not the only ones going through a particular trial. Others have gone
through it or are going through it so they can comfort us in that trial.
And God is faithful. Whatever the testing, struggle or trial, we Christians know God is faithful to His promises and
character to see us through the trial. We may not always be faithful in the way we handle testing but God is always
faithful. God is far more concerned about our spiritual growth than we are.
He will not let you be tempted (tested) beyond what you can bear. Every trial which comes our way as
Christians is somehow in the sovereign will and control of God, and He
will not allow that testing to ultimately destroy us. He may through testing bring us to breaking point but He will
give grace in time of need. God knows how much testing we can handle and how much we cannot. He uses testings
in our lives to develop our faith and Christian character.
One of the basic principles of training athletes is to get them to perform beyond their natural capabilities. This is
done by applying more and more controlled pressure so the athlete will think he can do more than he can actually
do, and before long, he is doing it. This is what God does with us. He allows more and more pressure to be put on us
to teach us to trust Him alone so the life of Christ can be manifested in us. He says He will never give us more
pressure than we can handle. If you are under some pressure or trial and feel, "I can’t take it one second longer," I
have good news for you. Yes you can, for God will not allow you to be tested above your ability to take it.
But when you are tempted (tested), he will also provide a way out... God promises a way out, a way of
escape from testing. What is that way? It is a life of faith, dependence, trust and obedience. Israel failed because of
unbelief. The way of escape is to cling to God’s faithfulness. He will provide a way out of the sticky situation.
So that you can stand up under it. Notice Paul does not say God will take us out of the testing. He might do
that, but this verse says God will give us grace to stand up under it, to endure it. He will deal with our attitudes. He
may not change our circumstances, but He will change our minds about the circumstances so we can endure it,
persevere through it and push on in holiness so we will not be disqualified from the spiritual race.
CONCLUSION
If you are without Christ as Savior and Lord, Christ invites you to come to Him and get into the spiritual
race. Jesus says,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon
you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
Christ lifts the burden of sin off our backs, so lightening the load that we can run the spiritual race with
dexterity and confidence. Christ invites you to run the spiritual race. This race is for real, and those who choose to
follow Christ are in for the most exciting adventure in the world. Will you bow to Christ as your Lord and Savior?
FIRST CORINTHIANS
Idolatry, Demons And False Religion

I Corinthians 10:14-22
The portion of Scripture we are studying today is all about pagan idolatry. Pagan
temples, pagan sacrifices, pagan feasts and pagan worship seems to be quite distant from the thinking of the average
American Christian. Many would feel this section has no relevance to them, but it does. What Paul has to say about
paganism can be directly applied to what relationship a true believer in Christ today sustains to liberal churches,
apostate churches, cultic churches and quasi-evangelical churches in the twentieth century. These verses have
something to say to the sincere Christian who chooses to remain in a liberal or apostate, cultic or quasi-evangelical
church in order to be a witness to it, or teach Sunday school or serve in some capacity, hoping to act as salt and light
in a corrupt situation. These verses have something to say to the naive Christian who does not understand the
implications of his or her association with a liberal, apostate, cultic or quasi-evangelical church. These verses have
something to say to the carnal Christian who remains in a liberal, apostate, cultic or quasi-evangelical church for
social, economic or sentimental reasons such as there is such a beautiful building or it has such a wonderful choir or
it is doing so much for the community.
In I Corinthians 8-10, Paul is dealing with the subject of meat offered to idols. He has already taught that
meat sacrificed to idols was a questionable practice and it could be eaten providing it did not cause a weaker brother
to stumble. However, if it did cause a brother to stumble, it was to be forsaken for the unity of the body of Christ and
the keeping of a weaker brother from falling into sin. Now Paul gives another reason for abstaining from the
questionable practice of meat offered to idols. Those partaking might be led into sin. By going to the verge of the
allowable, they might be drawn into the sinful. Before their conversion to Christ, all the Corinthian Christians had
been deeply associated with the pagan temple. They worshiped idols and participated in heathen feasts. After they
were converted, some of them still participated to some degree in the ceremonies and feasts of the temple worship.
They enjoyed the festivities. Perhaps some were sincere and were trying to reach their lost relatives who were
steeped in paganism for Christ. Others may have been naive to the evils of paganism because they were babes in
Christ. Still others were just carnal and chose to stay in contact with paganism for social, economic or sentimental
reasons. Others may have been just pragmatic and refused to leave the idolatrous worship system of paganism
because they did not want to rock the boat, offend friends or incur the displeasure of families. All the Corinthians
basically knew that paganism was wrong. They understood that there was nothing to idolatry; that is, that there were
no real gods behind the idols. They realized that it all was a sham. Yet they continued to associate with this pagan
idol worship to some degree.
He (Paul) warns them to abstain from idolatrous feasts because they might be lead into idolatry. By going to the
edge of that which is permissible, they might be drawn into sin. There was great danger that the Corinthians,
convinced that an idol was nothing, might be induced to join the sacrificial feasts that took place within the temples.
It was one thing to buy meat at the market and then eat it in their homes, but it was quite another to actually go to the
feasts themselves. Paul tries to convince them that going to sacrificial feasts was the same as engaging in idolatry
(Table Talk).
ATTITUDE ABOUT PARTICIPATION IN IDOLATRY 10:14
Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. These Corinthians were flirting with idolatry. They are told
to keep on fleeing from idolatry, for God hates it. Idolatry is the worshiping of a false god which results in a false
religion, taking people away from Christ and the true religion. The Corinthians were not to dally with idolatry, flirt
with it or tolerate it. They should not see how near they could come to idolatry without actually participating in it,
but how far they could keep from it. There was always the danger that the Corinthian Christians, convinced that an
idol was nothing, might fall back under the spell of paganism. Therefore, the only wise course was to have nothing
to do with it.
The libertine Christian in our American culture who revels in his God-given freedom in Christ can so easily
compromise math. Our culture is pluralistic, showing tolerance and acceptance of everything. Pluralism in America
is bringing us many false gods to worship Allah, the New Age god, liberal god and the freewill god and the gods of
various religions.
ACTUAL PARTICIPATION IN IDOLATRY IS FELLOWSHIP WITH IDOLATRY 10:15-17
I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Paul may have been speaking sarcastically
because they thought themselves so wise but were actually foolish because of the association with idolatry, or Paul
may be appealing to them as sensible, intelligent people who ought to see the dangers of flirting with temple
worship.
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not
the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Paul wants to make one basic point in this verse and
the following verses: To participate in something is to have fellowship with it. He uses the analogy of the Lord's
Table. When Christians partake of the bread and the wine, they are actually fellowshipping with Jesus Christ.
This verse helps us understand that the Lord’s Table is more than just a memorial or
remembrance of the death of Christ. Christians actually share in the blood and body of Christ.
The word can mean “participation” or “fellowship” or “share.” Somehow when partaking of the Lord’s Table, Christ
is spiritually present in a way He is not present at other times. Christ is not in the elements of bread and wine as the
Roman Catholics believe, but He is more real to the
Christian's faith. By faith, we sense His presence with us at the Table more than we do on other occasions. The
Lord’s Table is referred to by some Christians as a “sacrament.” A sacrament is an oath. The word “sacrament” was
used for the oath of allegiance which the soldiers of the Roman legion took to show their loyalty to the emperor.
Therefore, each time Christians gather at the Lord’s Table, they renew their allegiance to their Lord, confessing their
devotion to Him who saved them by His sovereign grace.
Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. Participation
in the Lord’s Table, as a means of grace, not only brings the Christian into fellowship with Christ but it also brings
him into fellowship with the whole body of Christ. The one loaf is a symbol of unity and the Lord’s Table as a
whole is to be a symbol of unity. This is why we must confess our sins and get our lives straight with our brothers
and sisters in Christ before we partake of the Table lest we make a mockery of this unity. Historically, the Lord’s
Table, which was designed for unity, has brought the church great disunity because Christians cannot agree as to the
extent of the presence of Christ in the elements or at the Table.
This verse also tells us something about how the Lord’s Table was originally observed.
Apparently there was one loaf and each Christian broke off a piece of the loaf as it was passed.
Paul's point is clear: To participate in the Lord's Table is to have fellowship with Christ and
Christ's people but to participate in idolatry in any way is to have fellowship with idolatry and
ultimately demons.
ANY PARTICIPATION IN IDOLATRY IS THE WORSHIP OF DEMONS 10:18-20
Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? When any
Israelite took his offering to the altar, some of the sacrifice was given to the priests and some was given back to the
offerer. When sacrificing an animal, an Israelite was participating in fellowship with the God of Israel, with the
priesthood of Israel, with the temple worship and with all the nation of Israel. To participate was to have fellowship
with God and the whole system associated with the altar.
Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? Paul
acknowledges that in essence an idol is nothing and the things offered to idols are mere superstition; that is, there are
no real gods behind idols of stone or wood. Zeus, Minerva or Aphrodite were just shams, but there is something
deeper and more potent than false gods behind pagan idolatry.
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with
demons. Behind all idolatry are no man-made gods, but there is the god of this world, Satan, and his demons. These
Corinthians were not involved in Satan worship per se. They did not realize that demons were behind this idolatrous
worship. Yet, their ignorance did not make it any less true. What Paul is saying is that behind the idolatry at Corinth
was Satan and his demons who had instituted a false religious system in order to lead men and women away from
God into a false, counterfeit religion. The Devil and his demons are the masterminds behind pagan idolatry and all
other false religions and systems. So to participate in the heathen temple worship, to get involved in pagan feasts, to
have anything to do with idolatry is to have fellowship with all that is associated with paganism. Satan is behind the
pagan temple, in the sacrifices and among the priesthood. Therefore, all who participate in any form of idolatry have
been deceived by Satan. A Christian cannot flirt with idolatry and not be affected by it. If a Christian becomes
involved in idolatrous feasts, he is exposing himself and the Christian community to demons.
There is a missionary thought in this verse. When we take the gospel to heathen lands where idolatry is
rampant, we do not leave the people who trust in Christ to continue in their paganism. They must separate from it.
Why? It is demonic. To allow people to flirt with paganism is to invite them to participate in it and with the
demonism connected with it. We are not to Americanize other cultures, but we are to have them separate from the
paganism, keeping within the confines of their own culture as much as possible.
ALTERNATIVES IF ONE PARTICIPATES IN IDOLATRY 10:21-22
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s
table and the table of demons. — The “cup of demons" was a cup of wine drunk by pagan worshipers at their feasts
where certain gods were honored. The drinking of this wine, often leading to intoxication, was accompanied by a
prayer to the gods. It was a ritual that pagans went through to honor their gods. When this was done, the pagans
were actually honoring demons, even though they were not aware of it. Our modern-day custom of drinking toasts at
feasts and celebrations arose from this practice of pouring out wine or drinking wine in honor of the heathen gods.
What is Paul's point? A person who professes to be a Christian cannot consistently and habitually associate
with demons and idolatry and still call himself a Christian. A true Christian may flirt with idolatry and demonism as
a naive baby Christian, but he cannot consistently do it, for this would prove he is not a Christian at all. It is
impossible for a person to eat of the table of demons without being brought under their power and influence.
A Christian must separate completely from idolatry and be wholeheartedly committed to Christ. If a
Christian is partaking of the Lord's Table on Sunday night and the table of demons on Wednesday night, then he
must flee idolatry and separate from it, whatever his motives, in order to prove and demonstrate that he or she is a
true believer in Christ.
Are we trying to amuse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he? God is a jealous God for the love of His
people. When a Christian associates in any way with idolatry, he
is provoking God to jealousy because God is not receiving the wholehearted devotion from the Christian which He
desires and deserves. The true Christian opens himself up to the discipline of God. Christians are not stronger than
God, and He will discipline whenever we flirt in any way with idolatry of any kind.
The Lord is a jealous God, who brooks no rivals, no comparisons, no alternatives. There are
dangers in presumptuousness and complacency, especially the danger of finding ourselves victims
of the humiliating fall which inevitably follows all pride. But there is, if anything, even greater
danger in compromise, because we smudge the issues and let all kinds of spiritual counterfeits
which confuse the truth as it is in Jesus, as well as being in obvious conflict with it (David Prior, I
Corinthians).
APPLICATION TO THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CHRISTIAN
Surely the message of Paul to the Corinthians must have hit them like a ton of bricks, but the message is
just as loud and clear to modern day Christians. We are not to have any part in false religions or counterfeit religions
because these religions are controlled by demons who seek to destroy true Christianity.
Satan Is Behind All False Religion. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory
of Christ, who is the image of God (II Cor. 4:3-4).
As biblical Christians, we understand that Satan is behind the false religions such as Shintoism, Mohammedanism,
Buddhism, ancestor worship, Ba'hai and many others, and most are persuaded that we should not be involved in the
various Christian cults such as Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, Unitarianism, Unity, Christian Science and others
because Satan is in control of these organizations as well. However, we are often duped by liberalism, the apostate
church and quasi-evangelicalism. Satan's strategy is to counterfeit the real thing. His frontal attack is a religious
system that is designed to promote unbelief. Satan’s ace in the hole is churches which call themselves Christian but
are not Christian because they have gone liberal and/or apostate. Satan’s latest strategy is evangelical churches
which deny a real eternal hell, saying that people do not have to believe in eternal judgment to be true “born again”
Christians. Satan has blinded people to the truth that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ, is purely by the grace of
God apart from works, and is appropriated only by faith in the person of Jesus Christ.
Satan has His Own Theology. The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and allow
deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences
have been seared as with a hot iron (1 Tim. 4:1-2). Satan and his demons have their own doctrines and their own
systematic theology of error. They get people in apostate churches to believe that one can be a true Christian and yet
deny the virgin birth, the deity of Christ, the substitutionary death of Christ for sin and sinners, the inspiration of the
bible, the bodily resurrection of Christ, the fact of miracles, a real hell and other fundamental truths of
Christianity. Satan is the author of syncretism which is the mixing of Christianity with other false religions and
false ideologies. Christianity is mixed with eastern mystical religions which results in New Age heresy. Christianity
is mixed with feminism which creates rebellious women and goddess worship. Christianity is mixed with voodoo so
as to give some kind of white witchcraft religion. Christianity is mixed with American Indian paganism so as to get
a worship of the earth. Christianity is mixed with all the religions of the world so as to get Ba'hai. Satan and demons
are behind all syncretism.
Satan Has His Own Clergy. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (II Cor. 11:13-14). Satan’s masterpiece is not the
drunkard, dope addict, gangster or prostitute but the self-righteous man who is in unbelief against Jesus Christ.
There are many intelligent, attractive, educated, suave and witty men and women who preach behind pulpits or on
television or radio who are emissaries of Satan, directing people away from the free and gracious salvation which is
in Christ Jesus the Lord.
Satan Has His Own Churches. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of
those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan (Rev. 2:9) This may refer to Jews who called
themselves Christian but in reality they were false believers, making up a synagogue of Satan. If Satan has
synagogues, he also has churches under his control. These churches may have many cultured and educated people in
them. They probably meet in gorgeous buildings and have fantastic music and church programs, but underneath it
all, they deny that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and the only way to heaven.
Satan And False Religion Must Be Shunned. Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry (I Cor. 10:14). True
Christians are to shun and flee from all apostate religion. Why? Because it is demonic and out to destroy the true
message of Christ and salvation.
Satan And False Religion Must Be Separated From By The True Christian. Do not be yoked together with
unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with
darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an
unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.
As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty” (II Cor. 6:14-18). To be truly unequally yoked means to associate with false religion.
Christians are to come out from liberalism and apostasy and cultism and be separate. No Christian can flirt with
apostasy and not be influenced by it. This is why Christians should not go to liberal seminaries. They will be tainted
by their
unbelief and rebellious spirit.
APPEAL TO CHRISTIANS
For a Christian to flirt with liberalism and/or apostasy, cultism or quasi-evangelicalism is a very serious
matter. Why? Because it endangers your very spiritual existence.
Endangers Spiritual Health. No matter how pure and doctrinally strong you may think you are, you will be
influenced by apostasy. It is impossible to walk through a coal mine and not get dirty, so it is impossible to snuggle
up to liberalism and not be tainted. Therefore, flee!
Endangers The Souls Of Your Children. To stay in a liberal church or a quasi-evangelical church in order
to witness to it or to stay for social, economic or sentimental reasons, may not affect you as much as it will your
children. They do not have the ability to discern truth from error. You must not play Russian roulette with the souls
of your kids. Therefore, flee!
Endangers You To God’s Discipline. When you flirt with false religion, you are associating with demonic
powers. God is jealous for the devotion and dedication of His people. If He does not get it, He will bring loving
discipline into your life. He does this because He loves you. Therefore, flee!
CONCLUSION
A great deal has been said about false religion, but what is the true religion? It is found in Jesus Christ
alone, who is true deity and perfect humanity, who was born of a virgin, who died a substitutionary death for sin and
sinners, who was resurrected from the dead, who went to the Father’s right hand in heaven, and who is coming again
in His second advent.
This Christ, the promised Messiah, as King of the universe, offers salvation to all men who will recognize
they are sinners and under God’s wrath, and who will turn to Him alone to forgive them for their sins and grant them
eternal life. Salvation is not by works, but by grace, and all one can do is receive Jesus Christ by faith. Where a
person will spend eternity heaven or hell depends upon what he or she does with Christ in this life.
Where are you? Are you on the road to eternal heaven or eternal judgment? Where will you spend eternity?
Jesus said that He alone is the way to heaven. He said, "I tell you the
truth, he who believes has everlasting life” (Jn. 6:47).
IRST I CORINTHIANS
Questionable Practices And The Unsaved

I Corinthians 10:23-11:1
People often approach me and say, “Dr. Arnold, is it right or wrong for me to do such and such a thing as a
Christian?” Invariably the practice does not have anything to do with what is commanded against in Scripture, but it
falls into the area of things not specifically spoken for or against in the Bible. We call these indifferent things,
amoral issues, neutral practices or doubtful things. I like to call them questionable practices dealing with issues such
as TV, movies, dancing, tobacco, alcohol, card playing, dress, jewelry, tattoos and a hundred other man-made
taboos. Are there any guidelines to help us a Christians determine what is right or wrong in the area of questionable
practices? Yes, there are and they are found in I Corinthians 8 and 10 and Romans 14.
In I Corinthians 8:1-13, Paul began this whole section on the rightness or wrongness of eating meat offered
to idols. As far as we know, the problem of meat offered to idols was the only questionable practice the Corinthian
Christians faced. In I Corinthians 8:1-13, the Apostle dealt with the subject of questionable practices as they related
to a Christian’s testimony before a weak Christian brother in conscience. He concluded a Christian had the liberty to
eat meat sacrificed to idols as long as it did not cause any Christian brother who had a weak conscience to stumble
or fall into sin. However, if it did cause a Christian brother to stumble, the stronger, mature brother was to act
responsibly and to exercise love in questionable practices and set aside that practice for the unity of the body of
Christ. It is never right to abuse any liberty that may harm or injure or wound the weaker brother in Christ.
However, in I Corinthians 10:23-11:1, Paul is talking about questionable practices as they relate to the Christian’s
testimony before the unsaved, non-Christian world. The issue at Corinth was the eating of meats sacrificed to idols
and how this might affect unsaved Corinthians who saw the Christian practicing it, but the principles in this passage
can be applied to any questionable practice.
There are three ways Christians deal with the whole subject of ethics and morals law, liberty and love. The
legalist says that all of life is to be governed by law, so he formulates codes, rules and regulations which cover every
area of one’s life. Even though the Bible does not speak to the area of questionable practices, a legalist will find a
rule somewhere to cover every situation. A Christian legalist does not have to think, evaluate or pray over matters
because there is a rule for everything. For this person, all or most questionable practices are wrong. This is certainly
an easy way to live because no choices have to be made or risks taken. The way of the legalist is not biblical and it
certainly kills one’s joy and enthusiasm for living. Then there is the libertine who believes in total freedom. He hates
law and abhors any restraints. He is a Christian who holds to a type of situational ethics, observing very few
absolutes. If the Scripture gives some command for or against something which the libertine doesn’t like, he either
ignores it, compromises it or rationalizes it away. For the libertine, there are no questionable practices, for in his
mind everything is right if he wants to do it. The libertine abuses his freedom in Christ so that he is always on the
fine edge between freedom and breaking the moral law of God. Then there is the Biblicist who has a proper balance
between law, liberty and love. He accepts the principle of law. There are things which God has commanded that we
should do and should not do. Christians are commanded to love God and hate evil. They are not to lie, cheat, steal,
commit adultery, involve themselves in premarital sex, hate, be jealous, gossip, harbor bitterness and hundreds of
other negative commands which are part of moral law. The Christian is positively commanded to pray, witness,
love, obey parents, submit to government, attend church and hundreds of other positive commands which are part of
moral law. Christians cannot live without moral law. Yet, there are many areas in morals and ethics where the
Christian has liberty. His liberty comes in the area of questionable practices which are neither commanded nor
prohibited in the Bible. Whether a Christian partakes of these practices depends on whether his own conscience is
free to participate, whether the practice will offend another Christian, whether it will harm his testimony or whether
it will glorify God. The overriding principle for a Christian is that of love. Out of love he sets aside his rights and
liberties for the weaker brother and for his testimony before the unsaved world.
THE CHRISTIAN’S WORKING PRINCIPLE 10:23-24
“Everything is permissible" -- not everything is beneficial. All questionable practices, even the eating of
meat sacrificed to idols, are lawful for a Christian. There is no questionable practice which a Christian does not have
liberty to do. There are no limitations and no restrictions in the area of questionable practices. However, the actual
doing of any questionable practice may not be profitable, expedient or beneficial to the one practicing it. The
question is not whether some things are inherently harmful for the Christian to do (for if they are, it is sin) but
whether they are profitable. Do not ask, "Will it hurt me?" but "Will it benefit or profit me? Will it really do me
good? Will it be a blessing to me spiritually, physically and emotionally, and will it hinder my testimony for
Christ?” An indulgence in any questionable practice may be a disadvantage to the gospel. If it is, it is to be forsaken
for the cause of Christ. It is a wonderful experience for a Christian to come out from under the bondage of Christian
legalism into freedom in the area of questionable practices, but with this freedom comes tremendous responsibility
not to abuse it and to set aside a practice if the cause of Christ is in any way hindered by it.
“Everything is permissible" -- but not everything is constructive. All questionable practices are O.K. for
the Christian to do (he has freedom) but will these things build up and edify other people? Will his life build up or
tear down other folks as they carefully observe him? The Christian must not only ask whether the questionable
practice builds him up but also whether it builds up others. If it does not build up, then it is more important to avoid
such a practice rather than to assert one’s rights and insist on the use of Christian liberties.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. Each Christian must seek to promote the best
interest of other people, not selfishly promote his own interests. Are we Christians genuinely concerned about others
and are we living in such a way that others will see our concern, love and interest in them? A Christian may do away
with all questionable practices without danger to himself or others, but he cannot indulge in them without offending
some people.
I'm not suggesting we give in to Christian legalists, but I am saying that we have a responsibility to all men,
even Christian legalists, to use our liberty wisely. The Christian should be asking, "How can my life be the best
possible testimony to the lost world?”
THE CHRISTIAN’S LIBERTY 10:24-26
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience. The best meat markets in
town were right near the pagan temples where meat was being sacrificed to idols. The sacrificed meat was sold to
the meat market by the pagan priests to support themselves financially. The problem was that the Temple
Supermarket was the best place in town to buy a T-bone steak. Paul says the Christians should go to the meat
market, buy what meat they want and ask no questions. They should not make an issue with the butcher as to
whether the meat was sacrificed to idols. If no questions are asked, then the Christian’s conscience would not be
hurt, for he knew that meat offered to idols was nothing. If the Christian would say to the butcher, “Has this meat
been offered to idols?” he raised a false issue. The unsaved butcher would think the Christian had flipped his lid and
was operating on a half load of bricks. Christians were not to ask fussy questions, be over scrupulous or raise false
issues with the unsaved.
Suppose you and your wife were asked to go out to eat with your boss and his wife. He wants to take you
first class and decides to go to a swanky restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages. As a Christian you should go (if
your conscience permits it) but you should not make a big issue over the fact that alcohol is served in that place or
that you do not drink because you are a Christian, nor should you get on your soap box and preach to your boss
about the evils of alcohol. This is not an issue for the boss and his wife. You should go and have a good time. If the
boss offers you a glass of wine and it is not against your conscience, you may partake. If it is against your
conscience just say, “No thank you.” There are many people in this world besides Christians who do not use alcohol.
For, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” Paul says eat the meat. The Lord is the Creator of all
things and He has given us all things richly to enjoy. Whether it is food we eat or beverages we drink or clothes we
wear, God has given it and we can enjoy it as His people. He has created things for our use, pleasure and enjoyment,
but the tendency of sinful people, even Christian men and women, is to abuse the things God has given us to enjoy.
Paul did not tell these Christians, “Separate from anything and everything which has to do with the pagan temple!”
nor did he say, “Cut off relationships with all people who still practice idolatry!” nor, “Isolate yourself from the
unsaved world!” He seems to be saying, “Do not run from real life. Live right out in the midst of it. Do not try to
avoid being normal, natural people, enjoying the normal, natural things around you. You will never escape by trying
to get away from the temptations. They will pursue you wherever you go. So relax, enjoy life, and do not raise over
scrupulous questions, always tying to examine with a microscope as to whether it is going to be dangerous or hurt
you. Be cool, be laid back, enjoy life, but be willing to apply the basic principles in relation to questionable
practices. Does it profit? Does it build up? Does it glorify God? Does it cause a brother to stumble? Does it hurt my
testimony before the unsaved world?"
THE CHRISTIAN'S TESTIMONY 10:27-30
If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising
questions of conscience. If a Christian in Corinth was invited to a private dinner party in an unbeliever’s home, the
unbeliever being an idol worshiper, the Christian has the liberty to go. If the unbeliever served meat that had been
offered to idols on the table, the Christian was to ask no questions as to whether this thing was doubtful. Again, the
Christian is never to raise a false issue with an unbeliever over any questionable practice.
The early Christians were not hyper-separationists. They had unsaved friends and went
to their homes for socializing. Surely if Christians are uptight, self-righteous and legalistic, they will never receive
any invitations into the homes of unbelievers. Only if they are friendly, openhearted and outgoing, with a real love
and concern for people, will they get invitations into the homes of the unsaved. Non-Christians desperately need the
Christ we Christians know and we cannot give Him to them if we are bogged down with an infinite number of
taboos. We must never raise any false issue with an unbeliever because the only issue for a non-Christian is his
relationship to Jesus Christ. If invited, the Christian is to keep quiet, not making an issue, waiting patiently for an
opportunity to present Christ clearly. For sure, no Christian should get on his soap box and make a separation speech
about the evils of some questionable practice.
This would be terribly offensive to the unsaved man and could drive him far from the Lord and His salvation.
The Lord Jesus had the most difficult time with the religious folks of his day—the Pharisees (first century
fundamentalists). They were hyper-separationists who lived by the letter of their man-made laws. Christ never
opposed any true teaching of the Old Testament, but he viciously attacked the Pharisees for their hyper-piousness
and critical attitudes. The Pharisees could not get over the fact that Jesus ate with publicans and sinners. Christ met
the spiritual needs of men and women and He went where sinners were. He did not do what the world did, but He
moved among worldly people in love. For this, He was called “worldly.”
But if anyone (unbeliever) says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of
the man who told you and for conscience” sake—the other man’s conscience, I mean, not yours. If someone at the
dinner table says, “Do you know this steak was offered as a sacrifice at the temple yesterday?” he has raised the
issue, and the Christian must make his stand. Why would an unbeliever raise this issue? The unsaved at Corinth
knew how the Christians took their stand against every form of idolatry, and by raising this issue he was testing
whether a Christian was wholeheartedly for Christ. Also a non-Christian may have a high standard of what he thinks
a Christian should be and false expectations for the Christian, and if the Christian partakes of some doubtful thing,
the unsaved person’s conscience may be offended. The Christian’s conscience may be clear, but the unsaved man’s
is not. Because the Christian loves Christ more than he loves a steak, he does not partake of it to maintain his
testimony. When the unbeliever makes an issue of any doubtful thing, then it becomes an issue with the Christian
and it is to be refused. Now the Christian can launch into a clear presentation of the gospel.
For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience? What Paul is saying is that he will not
exercise liberty if that liberty is going to be censured or judged by another person. Furthermore, rather than let an
unsaved man incorrectly judge his conscience, it is better to set aside the questionable practice. Do not allow what
you consider good to be spoken of as evil (Rom. 14:16).
Suppose you were going to a movie (a perfectly good one) and an unbeliever sees you. He lumps all
movies into the same category—sinful. They are all right for him to see, but he thinks Christians ought not to see
any movies at all (a false concept). If the unsaved man raises the issue, perhaps this is a reason to set aside one’s
freedom for the good of the gospel.
If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God
for? Paul in his own heart could thank God for any questionable practice, for he had the liberty to partake of it, but if
he knew that this practice was hindering his testimony before unsaved men and women, he was willing to forsake it.
THE CHRISTIAN'S MOTIVATION 10:31-33
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. When a person eats food or
drinks a beverage, he should be able to do it for the glory of God. If it cannot be done to the glory of God, then it
ought not to be done at all. Everything the Christian does, his actions and plans, his schemes and desires, is all to be
done to God’s glory. How different this world would be if every Christian lived his life with this principle: I want to
do everything to glorify my God. Christians should ask themselves, “Can I see this movie and glorify God? Can I
go to this place where there is much revelry and glorify God? Can I wear a bikini and glorify God?” Another way to
put it is, “Can I do a thing or go some place and, if Christ were standing next to me, invite Him to do it with me or
go with me?" This kind of Christian living is not based on rules and regulations but on a deep-seated desire to
glorify Christ. A mature, strong Christian lives his life to glorify God.
With much light comes much responsibility. The strong brother has been given special light on the subject of
questionable practices but he must use this light in a responsible way, even restricting his freedom if necessary. It is
like light that comes into the eye. The more light that comes in, the more the pupil restricts. So it is with Christian
maturity. The more light we have, the more we willingly restrict our lives for the cause of Christ and the love of the
brethren.
Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews (unsaved), Greeks (unsaved) or the church of God (saved)
The Christian is to live a life which brings the least offense to the unsaved and the saved. As Christians, we are not
to deliberately offend anyone. We cannot help offend at times because we have to be faithful to Christ, but in the
area of questionable practices, our lives are to be lived in such a positive way as to not give offense by misuse or
abuse of Christian liberty.
Even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,
so that they may be saved. Paul pleased all men as best be could in questionable practices so as not to offend. He
does not mean that he pleased all men in the preaching of the gospel or in his stand for genuine Christian morality.
What he is saying is that in the area of questionable practices, he would not be a stumbling block of any kind. He
loved Christ and the gospel more than his own rights and liberties, so he set them aside (if necessary) to reach
people for Christ. His one goal in life was to win men to Christ and to build them in Christ, and he was willing to
pay any price to achieve that goal. He would not have anything in his own life that would keep an unbeliever from
responding to Christ as Savior and Lord.
If a person has his heart set on the conversion of people to Christ and the salvation of all men, this will go a
long way in regulating his conduct in the area of questionable practices. It will affect his dress, his intake of food
and beverages, his style of living, his entertainment and his interaction with the world. This will all be done not by
rules and regulations but by a heart which wants to please Christ and win men to Him. This is the best and highest
motivation for Christian living.
THE CHRISTIAN’S EXAMPLE 11:1
Follow my example, The Corinthian Christians (and all Christians) are commanded to imitate the example
of the Apostle Paul. He abandoned his rights, set aside his liberties and made unbelievable sacrifices because he
loved Christ and others. Anything that would offend or cause another to stumble or be injured, Paul would gladly
and voluntarily set aside to reach a soul for Jesus Christ. We are to follow his example.
As I follow the example of Christ. What Paul did, he only copied what he saw in the supreme example of
Christ who set aside all His rights and liberties as the God-Man to die that sinful men and women might be saved.
Jesus Christ is the perfect example of love and concern for others. We can only follow Paul because Paul followed
Christ.
CONCLUSION
If you are not a Christian, I want you to clearly understand what a Christian is and what a Christian does.
First, let me say what a Christian is not. A Christian is not a square, an isolationist or a legalist who goes around
with a sour face with no joy, judging everyone with a critical spirit and shouting, “Repent, repent!” A Christian is a
person who has by faith trusted in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and has bowed to Jesus Christ as Lord, giving
Him the right to rule in one’s life.
A Christian is not one who does or does not do certain so-called taboos -- TV, movies, wine, cards, dance
or whatever. He may or may not do these things, depending on his own conscience, his desire not to cause another
brother in Christ to stumble, and his testimony before the unsaved. A Christian is a follower of Christ who wants his
life to conform to God’s law, who wants to enjoy his liberties if possible, and who loves others enough to set aside
those liberties if necessary.
A Christian is not a narrow-minded legalist or a rip snorting libertine, but a person who has met the
resurrected Christ, who has been forgiven his sins, whose destiny has been set towards heaven, and who has a
definite purpose for living to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. A Christian is a person who desires to do
everything to glorify God. He does not always do it, but that is his desire.
I can assure you that you may do none of the so-called taboos and be lost, and you can do all of them and
be saved. It may be proven that some taboos may not be beneficial, but they neither put a person in heaven or in hell.
One is lost or saved depending on what he or she does with Christ. Receive Christ and come alive
spiritually. Receive Christ and you will begin to experience the most liberating life in all this world! Receive Christ
and find the real joy to life! The basic answer to life and death is found in Christ alone.

Chapter 10 Corinth

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Chapter 10 Corinth

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Chapter Contents

THE PERIL OF OVER-CONFIDENCE (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)

Paul concludes this section by saying three things about temptation.

THE LIMITS OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM (1 Corinthians 10:23-33; 1 Corinthians 11:1)

We must note to where that duty extends.

Things Which Disqualify

ILLUSTRATIONS OF ISRAEL'S FAILURE 10:1-5

Israel's Privileges (10-1-4)

Israel’s Punishment (10:5)

INSTRUCTION AS TO WHY ISRAEL FAILED 10:6-11

Craving for Evil Things (10:6)

Participating in Idolatry (10:7)

Participating in Sexual Immorality (10:9)

Testing the Lord (10:9)

Grumbling Before the Lord (10:10)

ADMONITION TO PERSEVERANCE IN HOLINESS 10:11-12

APPLICATION OF GOD’S PROMISE TO TESTING 10:13

Idolatry, Demons And False Religion

ATTITUDE ABOUT PARTICIPATION IN IDOLATRY 10:14

ACTUAL PARTICIPATION IN IDOLATRY IS FELLOWSHIP WITH IDOLATRY 10:15-17

ANY PARTICIPATION IN IDOLATRY IS THE WORSHIP OF DEMONS 10:18-20

ALTERNATIVES IF ONE PARTICIPATES IN IDOLATRY 10:21-22

APPLICATION TO THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CHRISTIAN

Questionable Practices And The Unsaved

THE CHRISTIAN’S WORKING PRINCIPLE 10:23-24

THE CHRISTIAN’S LIBERTY 10:24-26

THE CHRISTIAN'S TESTIMONY 10:27-30

THE CHRISTIAN'S MOTIVATION 10:31-33

THE CHRISTIAN’S EXAMPLE 11:1

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