1 Corinthians Chapter 10.

1 Corinthians Chapter 10.

The topic of the Christian attitude to idolatry, begun in chapter 8, is continued.  The first part of Paul's answer is that love is more important than asserting one's liberty and rights.  Love of our brethren is greater than the knowledge that some at Corinth professed, who in their conduct argued that their knowledge of the trivialness of idols permitted them to become involved in idolatry.

           

Now in chapter 10 Paul teaches that liberty is not safe without self-discipline.  The closing verses of chapter 9 - the illustration from athletic contests form a climax to Paul's accounts of sacrificing his personal rights.  They show that, in doing so, he has been dominated by one single purpose.  But his parable from the Games provide an introduction to the topic of self-discipline found in chapter 10.  The sacrificial love that guided Paul's ministry, required self-discipline and the denial of self.  The theme of self-discipline and self-control arises naturally from the theme of Christian love.

           

Paul now enlarges upon the peril of liberty without self-discipline.  Love and self-discipline are essential to the right use of liberty.  Self-discipline calls for constant vigilance.

Chapter 10 has three parts:

1/  10:1-13.  The peril of presuming upon one's privileges and not exercising self-discipline, thereby exposing one's self to danger.

2/  10:14-22.  Communion with Christ demands that we avoid an intimate and dangerous relationship with the table of demons. `Koinonia', communion, sharing, is a keyword in this section.

3/   10:23-11:1. Concluding words, giving specific counsel.

           

Outline of the chapter in more detail.

           

10:1-5. Consider the example of Israel, they had many privileges of an extraordinary character.  They shared in these privileges and their privileges have a striking likeness to our own as expressed in the Christian Sacraments.  Their privileges did not save them from destruction when they became disobedient and involved in wickedness.  Neither can we afford to presume on our privileges and participate in evil things.

           

The Israelites shared in spiritual blessings and they are described as spiritual, not only as being supernatural, but as intended to provoke the faith and devotion of the people to their God.  The spiritual rock that followed them was a symbol of the presence of the preexistent Christ.  A great multitude came out of Egypt, but only two entered the Promised Land.  This warns us of the possibility of partaking of the Sacraments and outward privileges of the Church, and, in spite of all this, finally perish.

           

10:6-12.  Israel's failure is a warning to us.  No one can be careless; all must be watchful.  Spiritual privileges are to be used in the Christian pilgrimage and warfare, but we cannot shelter behind them to do evil.  Israel started out amidst conspicuous circumstances and should have gone from strength to strength, but their journey was marked by constant failure, unbelief, disobedience, lack of discipline, purpose, and watchfulness.  The sins that overthrew so many Israelites were just those that were a special peril to the Corinthians.

           

1/   Desiring evil things (in general). Numbers 11:4,34.

2/  Idolatry. Exodus 32:2-34:16.  They slipped into idolatry very easily.  It began by their sitting down to eat and drink and then they arose to play.  Their playing or dancing seemed innocent enough but it was associated with the idol.  Soon they were caught in the fascination of the idol.  They forgot to be vigilant.  So for the Corinthians to come into close contact with idolatry and not be seduced, required a discipline they did not possess.

3/  Fornication. Numbers 25:1-9.  This sin is frequently associated with idolatry.  The judgment of God upon this sin was sudden, unexpected and severe, 10:8.

4/  Tempting God. Numbers 14:22, (see N.E.B.).

5/  Murmuring against their leaders. Numbers 21:1-6.

The Corinthians and Temptation.  10:11-13.

a. The significance of the times 10:11.  We live in the meeting place of the fulfillment of the ages.  The things that have been recorded are for our admonition. 

b. The need of vigilance.  We are not so strong that we can expose ourselves to temptation.  How foolish to place one's head in the lion's mouth and call upon God to deliver us.  We need to be humble, watchful and trusting, and not act in assumption.

c. Our resource in temptation.  Neither are we to be unduly afraid.  To be watchful is not to make ourselves miserable from fears of falling.  God is faithful to His word of promise and would not allow them to be tempted beyond the strength He gives to endure the trial.  They were not to test the patience and power of God by the sin of despondency and murmurings. They are to believe that God would uphold them in their trials and they would not be tested beyond that which they were able to bear.  God makes a way of escape giving grace and power to endure.  His faithfulness is our refuge in temptation.

The Incompatibility between the table of the Lord and the table of demons.  10:14-22.

           

We are not to provoke the Lord to jealousy.  We cannot defy Him, for we are not as strong as He.  `Koinania' is a keyword in these verses.  In business, "partnership" is an adequate meaning but, in Christian thought, it implies an organic participation, a sharing in the same life.  See N.E.B. whose translation of this word is most helpful.  To drink the cup of blessing in our congregational worship, is to share in the benefits of the blood of Christ.  We are in organic union with Him, incorporated in His death and redeeming work.

           

Paul illustrates this from the religious practice of Israel.  They who eat the sacrifice thereby share in the altar, participating in its privileges and responsibilities. If this was not so the whole service would be deprived of meaning.  The same principle holds good to those who participate in heathen altars.  This principle of participation is central to the passage.

           

This participation and involvement is true, even though the idol in itself is nothing. (8:4). Paul concedes that the idol is nothing, but not altogether, for evil and damaging influences proceed from such altars.  Paul has now taken the discussion a step further by asserting the demonic character of idolatry.  Christians cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.  To do so would only be disloyalty and treachery, but also, to expose the Church to the damaging influence of demonism.  We dare not provoke the Lord to jealousy for we are not strong enough to contend with Him.  To fraternize with idolatry is to fraternize with the enemy.

           

The Cup.  It is designated "the cup" rather than "the wine".  However, it contained wine.  The custom at the Passover was to mingle water with wine.  The Lord must have used fermented wine at the Last Supper for the Passover - it is the wrong time of the year for grape juice. The cup is here mentioned before the bread but this may be purely a literary convenience. Paul intends to linger more fully on the loaf and its double symbolism.

           

The Bread.  It continued to be bread and was not transformed into another substance.  It's very double symbolism refutes the doctrine of Transubstantiation.

           

a. It signifies the body of Christ given for us at Calvary                           11:24.

b. It expresses the unity of Christians as members of His body.              10:17.

The Table.  To partake of the Eucharist is to partake of the Table of the Lord.  This is an Old Testament term and tells of God's provision for His people.  In its Biblical use it is more comprehensive than the Eucharist, but in this passage it is to be identified with the Eucharist.  Vine agrees with this, though he suggests that we are always at the Table, but we are not continually at the Eucharist.  The Table suggests presence, provision, and participation.

           

Blessing.  To bless and to give thanks are synonymous.  The word "bless" means "to speak well of," "to praise." `Eulo eo' - "bless, praise, speak well of."   `Eucharisteo' - "give thanks."  Hence the Eucharist or Thanksgiving.

Communion.  The Greek `koinonia' is translated in the R.V. as "communion, fellowship, contribution."  This fellowship between believers is possible because each member is in union with Christ and is indwelt by His Spirit.

           

Memorial.  It is the Supper of Remembrance.  Marjorie Sykes observes concerning `zakar' (remember) in the O.T.  Remembrance or memorial is often associated with `ame'.  A name stood for one's personality and power, and in the mention of a name, power is released. Prov.10:7; Job.18:17; Psa.135:13; Isa.26:28; Exod.3:15. Remembrance is often linked with an action of some kind.   "Remember and do." Num.4:15:40; Psa.77:3; 103:18; 105:42,43; 136:23,24; 1.Sam.1:19,20; Neh.4:14.  To remember means to do something.  He who remembers Christ must serve Christ.

           

Remember is also linked with Covenant. 1.Chron.15:16,17; Exod.6:5,6; Psa.106:45,46.

Proclaimation.   The Lord's Supper or Eucharist is a proclamation, an authoritative announcement, calling men to remember the death of Christ, 11:26 - `katangello'.

           

The Place.  The place of the Eucharist in the Church.  It is fitting that the Eucharist have a front rank place in the worship and fellowship of the Church.  It is proper that it be celebrated every Lord's Day, in the context of a meeting for worship, in which the partaking of the Bread and Cup constitute the central act and climax for the worship of the congregation.

           

Specific Counsel.  10:23-30.  Paul gives special instruction, always keeping in mind the essential principles.  He agrees that the Christian has liberty, but the more important thing is the edification of our neighbour.  Therefore, it is better to walk in love than insist on one's rights and freedom.

           

Three final exhortations.  10:31-11:1.

a. Do all to the glory of God.  Even eating and drinking should be conditioned by this great principle.  In certain situations it may be impossible to eat and drink to the glory of God.  Therefore, avoid such situations.

           

b. Give no occasion for stumbling.  To do this requires wisdom, for Jews shudder at idolatry, but the Greeks revel in it.  Neither the Jews, the Greeks, nor the Church of God must be stumbled by our conduct.  This is a principle of wide application, but especially applicable in the matter of association with idolatry.  The Jew shudders at the unclean thing; the Greek will scorn our inconsistency and the Church will be grieved and hurt if we mix with idolatry.  Therefore, respect the consciences of all men and live in a manner that all must commend.

           

c. Be imitators of Paul, even as he also is of Christ.  Paul pleased not himself, but sought to please all men that they may be saved.  In this he imitated Christ who pleased not himself, Rom.15:3.  When it was a matter of pleasing Christ or men, then he would not be the servant of Christ if he pleased men. Gal.1:10.  But when it was a question of pleasing self or men, then as the servant of Christ he sought to please all men that they be won for Christ.  Never do we find him getting at all nasty to the Greeks on account of their idolatry.