Notes on 1 Corinthians 10

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

Idolatry is not limited to the worship of idols of stone, metal, or wood.  Any time that something, or someone, takes on more importance in our lives than God, we are committing idolatry.  The actions described here are the fruit of carnality, when the desires of the flesh become more important than our obedience to God.  Although Christians have the assurance of eternal life, we do not have license to do whatever we please.  Sin always has consequences, and these can include physical death.  Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall, Solomon wrote (Proverbs 16:18), and spiritual pride tells us we're all right with God, when we're far from it.  The same spiritual pride that prompted the Corinthians to wink at the sin of adultery in their midst allowed them to venture into all manner of sin on the blithe assumption that God's grace would cover all of their sins.  This is presumptuous sin, and it always has consequences.

Verse 13 is the classic verse dealing with times of testing, or temptation, that God allows to come into our lives.  As we pass through these times of testing, we become stronger, and each test in our lives becomes greater as our faith increases.  I am able to endure things now that would have shattered me ten years ago, and that should be the case for all Christians who continue to mature.  If we run away from tests, and persist in the childish faith we gained at salvation, we will never grow in the Lord.  We will continue to be carnal Christians, and we will pay the consequences of rebellion and disobedience.

15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

This section ties back in with verse 14, about fleeing idolatry.  Although eating meat offered to idols is not inherently wrong, Paul said earlier, it is definitely wrong to continue to participate in pagan rituals, to take part in their feasts.  That is easy enough for us to accept now, on its face, but our society has its own godless rituals.  Participating in a happy hour at a bar, or going along with the crowd in attending an R-rated movie also amount to having fellowship with devils.  Going to a basketball game is not wrong in itself, but if we idolize teams or players, rather than the Lord, we are participating in idolatry.  Accepting gambling winnings, especially for a church, is communing with devils.  We should not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers, Paul also says (2 Corinthians 6:14), nor can we serve both God and Mammon, Jesus said (Matthew 6:24).  To the extent that we accept the world's values and methods, we are committing spiritual adultery, and provoking God to jealousy.

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Paul affirms that we are indeed under grace, not under the restrictions of the law.  Just because we can act in ways that violates the law, though, does not mean we should.  For one thing, if we are truly abiding in Christ, our desire should be to conform to his Word, that abides in us.  For another, the strictures of the law are there for a reason; they define what is right and good, and if we deliberately disobey, we should not be surprised if we reap the consequences.  Doing such things does not help us grow in Christ, and will serve to damage our witness and cheapen God's grace.  Doing something in our spiritual liberty that offends the conscience of another Christian, or a nonbeliever, who thinks it is wrong is sin to the extent that it tempts another to do what they consider to be sin.  Food, itself, is a gift from God, but it should not become a source of offence for another.  Likewise, music, for example, is a gift of God, but if someone else thinks that listening to worldly music in any form is a sin, we should not indulge in doing it in that person's presence.  Our goal, Paul concludes in this section, should be to reach others for Christ, regardless of their race or background.  If we are trying to witness to Orthodox Jews, as one example, we should not insist on eating pork in their presence.  The Gospel is the key, not custom, unless that custom is clearly contrary to the Word.