1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Avoid Israel’s Mistakes
1 For I do not want you to be unaware, believers, that our fathers were all under the cloud [in which God’s presence went before them] and they all passed [miraculously and safely] through the [Red] Sea;(A)
2 And all [of them] were baptized into Moses [into his safekeeping as their leader] in the cloud and in the sea;
3 and all [of them] ate the same (a)spiritual food;(B)
4 and all [of them] drank the same (b)spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.(C)
5 Nevertheless, God was not well-pleased with (c)most of them, for they were scattered along the ground in the wilderness [because their lack of self-control led to disobedience which led to death].(D)
6 Now these things [the warnings and admonitions] took place as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did.(E)
7 Do not be worshipers of handmade gods, as some of them were; just as it is written [in Scripture], “The people sat down to eat and drink [after sacrificing to the (d)golden calf at Horeb], and stood up to play [indulging in immoral activities].”(F)
8 We must not indulge in [nor tolerate] sexual immorality, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell [dead] in a single day!(G)
9 We must not tempt the Lord [that is, test His patience, question His purpose or exploit His goodness], as some of them did—and they were killed by serpents.(H)
10 And do not murmur [in unwarranted discontent], as some of them did—and were destroyed by the (e)destroyer.(I)
11 Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12 Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation].
13 No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].
Footnotes:
a.
1 Corinthians 10:3: I.e. divinely provided manna.
b.
1 Corinthians 10:4: I.e. divinely provided water from a rock.
c.
1 Corinthians 10:5: Of all those adult Israelites who had been in bondage in Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb (along with those born in the wilderness) were allowed to enter the promised land.
d.
1 Corinthians 10:7: The selection of a calf-god was probably inspired by the Egyptian bull-god Apis (Hapis), believed to be a living manifestation of the Egyptian god Ptah.
e.
1 Corinthians 10:10: Perhaps a reference to the angel of destruction whom the rabbis called Mashhith.