Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 1 Corinthians » Chapter 10

1 Corinthians 10:1-33 King James Version (KJV)

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.

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?

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.


1 Corinthians 10:1-33 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Moreover, G1161 brethren, G80 I would G2309 not G3756 that ye G5209 should be ignorant, G50 how that G3754 all G3956 our G2257 fathers G3962 were G2258 under G5259 the cloud, G3507 and G2532 all G3956 passed G1330 through G1223 the sea; G2281

2 And G2532 were G907 all G3956 baptized G907 unto G1519 Moses G3475 in G1722 the cloud G3507 and G2532 in G1722 the sea; G2281

3 And G2532 did G5315 all G3956 eat G5315 the same G846 spiritual G4152 meat; G1033

4 And G2532 did G4095 all G3956 drink G4095 the same G846 spiritual G4152 drink: G4188 for G1063 they drank G4095 of G1537 that spiritual G4152 Rock G4073 that followed them: G190 and G1161 that Rock G4073 was G2258 Christ. G5547

5 But G235 with G1722 many G4119 of them G846 God G2316 was G2106 not G3756 well pleased: G2106 for G1063 they were overthrown G2693 in G1722 the wilderness. G2048

6 Now G1161 these things G5023 were G1096 our G2257 examples, G5179 to the intent G1519 we G2248 should G1511 not G3361 lust after evil G2556 things, G1938 as G2531 they also G2548 lusted. G1937

7 Neither G3366 be ye G1096 idolaters, G1496 as G2531 were some G5100 of them; G846 as G5613 it is written, G1125 The people G2992 sat down G2523 to eat G5315 and G2532 drink, G4095 and G2532 rose up G450 to play. G3815

8 Neither G3366 let us commit fornication, G4203 as G2531 some G5100 of them G846 committed, G4203 and G2532 fell G4098 in G1722 one G3391 day G2250 three G5140 and twenty G1501 thousand. G5505

9 Neither G3366 let us tempt G1598 Christ, G5547 as G2531 some G5100 of them G846 also G2532 tempted, G3985 and G2532 were destroyed G622 of G5259 serpents. G3789

10 Neither G3366 murmur ye, G1111 as G2531 some G5100 of them G846 also G2532 murmured, G1111 and G2532 were destroyed G622 of G5259 the destroyer. G3644

11 Now G1161 all G3956 these things G5023 happened G4819 unto them G1565 for ensamples: G5179 and G1161 they are written G1125 for G4314 our G2257 admonition, G3559 upon G1519 whom G3739 the ends G5056 of the world G165 are come. G2658

12 Wherefore G5620 let G991 him that thinketh G1380 he standeth G2476 take heed G991 lest G3361 he fall. G4098

13 There hath G2983 no G3756 temptation G3986 taken G2983 you G5209 but G1508 such as is common to man: G442 but G1161 God G2316 is faithful, G4103 who G3739 will G1439 not G3756 suffer G1439 you G5209 to be tempted G3985 above G5228 that G3739 ye are able; G1410 but G235 will G4160 with G4862 the temptation G3986 also G2532 make G4160 a way to escape, G1545 that ye G5209 may be able G1410 to bear G5297 it.

14 Wherefore, G1355 my G3450 dearly beloved, G27 flee G5343 from G575 idolatry. G1495

15 I speak G3004 as G5613 to wise men; G5429 judge G2919 ye G5210 what G3739 I say. G5346

16 The cup G4221 of blessing G2129 which G3739 we bless, G2127 is it G2076 not G3780 the communion G2842 of the blood G129 of Christ? G5547 The bread G740 which G3739 we break, G2806 is it G2076 not G3780 the communion G2842 of the body G4983 of Christ? G5547

17 For G3754 we G2070 being many G4183 are G2070 one G1520 bread, G740 and one G1520 body: G4983 for G1063 we are G3348 all G3956 partakers G3348 of G1537 that one G1520 bread. G740

18 Behold G991 Israel G2474 after G2596 the flesh: G4561 are G1526 not G3780 they G1526 which eat G2068 of the sacrifices G2378 partakers G2844 of the altar? G2379

19 What G5101 say I G5346 then? G3767 that G3754 the idol G1497 is G2076 any thing, G5100 or G2228 that G3754 which is offered in sacrifice to idols G1494 is G2076 any thing? G5100

20 But G235 I say, that G3754 the things which G3739 the Gentiles G1484 sacrifice, G2380 they sacrifice G2380 to devils, G1140 and G2532 not G3756 to God: G2316 and G1161 I would G2309 not G3756 that ye G5209 should have G1096 fellowship G2844 with devils. G1140

21 Ye cannot G3756 G1410 drink G4095 the cup G4221 of the Lord, G2962 and G2532 the cup G4221 of devils: G1140 ye cannot G3756 G1410 be partakers G3348 of the Lord's G2962 table, G5132 and G2532 of the table G5132 of devils. G1140

22 Do we provoke G3863 G2228 the Lord G2962 to jealousy? G3863 are we G2070 stronger than G3361 G2478 he? G846

23 All things G3956 are lawful G1832 for me, G3427 but G235 all things G3956 are G4851 not G3756 expedient: G4851 all things G3956 are lawful G1832 for me, G3427 but G235 all things G3956 edify G3618 not. G3756

24 Let G2212 no man G3367 seek G2212 his own, G1438 but G235 every man G1538 another's G2087 wealth.

25 Whatsoever G3956 is sold G4453 in G1722 the shambles, G3111 that eat, G2068 asking G350 no G3367 question G350 for G1223 conscience G4893 sake: G1223

26 For G1063 the earth G1093 is the Lord's, G2962 and G2532 the fulness G4138 thereof. G846

27 G1161 If any G1536 of them that believe not G571 bid G2564 you G5209 to a feast, and G2532 ye be disposed G2309 to go; G4198 whatsoever G3956 is set before G3908 you, G5213 eat, G2068 asking G350 no G3367 question G350 for G1223 conscience G4893 sake. G1223

28 But G1161 if G1437 any man G5100 say G2036 unto you, G5213 This G5124 is G2076 offered in sacrifice unto idols, G1494 eat G2068 not G3361 for G1223 his sake G1565 that shewed it, G3377 and G2532 for conscience sake: G4893 for G1063 the earth G1093 is the Lord's, G2962 and G2532 the fulness G4138 thereof: G846

29 Conscience, G4893 G1161 I say, G3004 not G3780 thine own, G1438 but G235 of the other: G2087 for G1063 why G2444 is G2919 my G3450 liberty G1657 judged G2919 of G5259 another G243 man's conscience? G4893

30 For G1161 if G1487 I G1473 by grace G5485 be a partaker, G3348 why G5101 am I evil spoken of G987 for that G5228 for which G3739 I G1473 give thanks? G2168

31 Whether G1535 therefore G3767 ye eat, G2068 or G1535 drink, G4095 or G1535 whatsoever G5100 ye do, G4160 do G4160 all G3956 to G1519 the glory G1391 of God. G2316

32 Give G1096 none offence, G677 neither G2532 to the Jews, G2453 nor G2532 to the Gentiles, G1672 nor G2532 to the church G1577 of God: G2316

33 Even as G2531 I G2504 please G700 all G3956 men in all G3956 things, not G3361 seeking G2212 mine own G1683 profit, G4851 but G235 the profit G3588 of many, G4183 that G2443 they may be saved. G4982


1 Corinthians 10:1-33 American Standard (ASV)

1 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all 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 food;

4 and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.

5 Howbeit with most 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 make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer.

11 Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages 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 man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.

14 Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?

17 seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we are all partake of the one bread.

18 Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?

19 What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

20 But `I say', that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23 All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify.

24 Let no man seek his own, but `each' his neighbor's `good'.

25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience' sake,

26 for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

27 If one of them that believe not biddeth you `to a feast', and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience' sake.

28 But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake:

29 conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other's; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

30 If I partake with thankfulness, 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 no occasions of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:

33 even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the `profit' of the many, that they may be saved.


1 Corinthians 10:1-33 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,

2 and all to Moses were baptized in the cloud, and in the sea;

3 and all the same spiritual food did eat,

4 and all the same spiritual drink did drink, for they were drinking of a spiritual rock following them, and the rock was the Christ;

5 but in the most of them God was not well pleased, for they were strewn in the wilderness,

6 and those things became types of us, for our not passionately desiring evil things, as also these did desire.

7 Neither become ye idolaters, as certain of them, as it hath been written, `The people sat down to eat and to drink, and stood up to play;'

8 neither may we commit whoredom, as certain of them did commit whoredom, and there fell in one day twenty-three thousand;

9 neither may we tempt the Christ, as also certain of them did tempt, and by the serpents did perish;

10 neither murmur ye, as also some of them did murmur, and did perish by the destroyer.

11 And all these things as types did happen to those persons, and they were written for our admonition, to whom the end of the ages did come,

12 so that he who is thinking to stand -- let him observe, lest he fall.

13 No temptation hath taken you -- except human; and God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able, but He will make, with the temptation, also the outlet, for your being able to bear `it'.

14 Wherefore, my beloved, flee from the idolatry;

15 as to wise men I speak -- judge ye what I say:

16 The cup of the blessing that we bless -- is it not the fellowship of the blood of the Christ? the bread that we break -- is it not the fellowship of the body of the Christ?

17 because one bread, one body, are we the many -- for we all of the one bread do partake.

18 See Israel according to the flesh! are not those eating the sacrifices in the fellowship of the altar?

19 what then do I say? that an idol is anything? or that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything? --

20 `no,' but that the things that the nations sacrifice -- they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not wish you to come into the fellowship of the demons.

21 Ye are not able the cup of the Lord to drink, and the cup of demons; ye are not able of the table of the Lord to partake, and of the table of demons;

22 do we arouse the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than He?

23 All things to me are lawful, but all things are not profitable; all things to me are lawful, but all things do not build up;

24 let no one seek his own -- but each another's.

25 Whatever in the meat-market is sold eat ye, not inquiring, because of the conscience,

26 for the Lord's `is' the earth, and its fulness;

27 and if any one of the unbelieving do call you, and ye wish to go, all that is set before you eat, nothing inquiring, because of the conscience;

28 and if any one may say to you, `This is a thing sacrificed to an idol,' -- do not eat, because of that one who shewed `it', and of the conscience, for the Lord's `is' the earth and its fulness:

29 and conscience, I say, not of thyself, but of the other, for why `is it' that my liberty is judged by another's conscience?

30 and if I thankfully do partake, why am I evil spoken of, for that for which I give thanks?

31 Whether, then, ye eat, or drink, or do anything, do all to the glory of God;

32 become offenceless, both to Jews and Greeks, and to the assembly of God;

33 as I also in all things do please all, not seeking my own profit, but that of many -- that they may be saved.


1 Corinthians 10:1-33 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 and all were baptised unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 and all ate the same spiritual food,

4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank of a spiritual rock which followed [them]: (now the rock was the Christ;)

5 yet God was not pleased with the most of them, for they were strewed in the desert.

6 But these things happened [as] types of us, that we should not be lusters after evil things, as they also lusted.

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed fornication, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us tempt the Christ, as some of them tempted, and perished by serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened to them [as] types, and have been written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

12 So that let him that thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

13 No temptation has taken you but such as is according to man's nature; and God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able [to bear], but will with the temptation make the issue also, so that [ye] should be able to bear [it].

14 Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to intelligent [persons]: do *ye* judge what I say.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not [the] communion of the blood of the Christ? The bread which we break, is it not [the] communion of the body of the Christ?

17 Because we, [being] many, are one loaf, one body; for we all partake of that one loaf.

18 See Israel according to flesh: are not they who eat the sacrifices in communion with the altar?

19 What then do I say? that what is sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?

20 But that what [the nations] sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. Now I do not wish you to be in communion with demons.

21 Ye cannot drink [the] Lord's cup, and [the] cup of demons: ye cannot partake of [the] Lord's table, and of [the] table of demons.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23 All things are lawful, but all are not profitable; all things are lawful, but all do not edify.

24 Let no one seek his own [advantage], but that of the other.

25 Everything sold in the shambles eat, making no inquiry for conscience sake.

26 For the earth [is] the Lord's and its fulness.

27 But if any one of the unbelievers invite you, and ye are minded to go, all that is set before you eat, making no inquiry for conscience sake.

28 But if any one say to you, This is offered to holy purposes, do not eat, for his sake that pointed it out, and conscience sake;

29 but conscience, I mean, not thine own, but that of the other: for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

30 If *I* partake with thanksgiving, why am I spoken evil of for what *I* give thanks for?

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all things to God's glory.

32 Give no occasion to stumbling, whether to Jews, or Greeks, or the assembly of God.

33 Even as *I* also please all in all things; not seeking my own profit, but that of the many, that they may be saved.


1 Corinthians 10:1-33 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 and all ate the same spiritual food;

4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.

5 However with most 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 idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."

8 Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.

9 Neither let us test the Lord, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.

10 Neither grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn't fall.

13 No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, isn't it a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn't it a communion of the body of Christ?

17 Because we, who are many, are one bread, one body; for we all partake of the one bread.

18 Consider Israel after the flesh. Don't those who eat the sacrifices have communion with the altar?

19 What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

20 But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don't desire that you would have communion with demons.

21 You can't both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can't both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

23 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are profitable. "All things are lawful for me," but not all things build up.

24 Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor's good.

25 Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience,

26 for "the earth is the Lord's, and its fullness."

27 But if one of those who don't believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience.

28 But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," don't eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness."

29 Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other's conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for that for which I give thanks?

31 Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give no occasions for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;

33 even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.


1 Corinthians 10:1-33 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 For it is my desire, my brothers, that you may keep in mind how all our fathers were under the cloud, and they all went through the sea;

2 And they all had baptism from Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And they all took the same holy food;

4 And the same holy drink: for they all took of the water from the holy rock which came after them: and the rock was Christ.

5 But with most of them God was not pleased: for they came to their end in the waste land.

6 Now these things were for an example to us, so that our hearts might not go after evil things, as they did.

7 Then do not go after false gods, as some of them did; as it is said in the holy Writings, After resting and feasting, the people got up to take their pleasure.

8 Again, let us not give way to the desires of the flesh, as some of them did, of whom twenty-three thousand came to their end in one day.

9 And let us not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did, and came to their death by snakes.

10 And do not say evil things against the Lord, as some of them did, and destruction overtook them.

11 Now these things were done as an example; and were put down in writing for our teaching, on whom the last days have come.

12 So let him who seems to himself to be safe go in fear of a fall.

13 You have been put to no test but such as is common to man: and God is true, who will not let any test come on you which you are not able to undergo; but he will make with the test a way out of it, so that you may be able to go through it.

14 For this cause, my dear brothers, give no worship to false gods.

15 What I am saying is for wise men, do you be the judges of it.

16 The cup of blessing which we take, does it not give us a part in the blood of Christ? and is not the broken bread a taking part in the body of Christ?

17 Because we, being a number of persons, are one bread, we are one body: for we all take part in the one bread.

18 See Israel after the flesh: do not those who take as food the offerings of the altar take a part in the altar?

19 Do I say, then, that what is offered to images is anything, or that the image is anything?

20 What I say is that the things offered by the Gentiles are offered to evil spirits and not to God; and it is not my desire for you to have any part with evil spirits.

21 It is not possible for you, at the same time, to take the cup of the Lord and the cup of evil spirits; you may not take part in the table of the Lord and the table of evil spirits.

22 Or may we be the cause of envy to the Lord? are we stronger than he?

23 We are free to do all things, but there are things which it is not wise to do. We are free to do all things, but not all things are for the common good.

24 Let a man give attention not only to what is good for himself, but equally to his neighbour's good.

25 Whatever meat may be had at the public market, take as food without question of right or wrong;

26 For the earth is the Lord's and all things in it.

27 If a Gentile makes a feast for you, and you are pleased to go as a guest, take whatever is put before you, without question of right or wrong.

28 But if anyone says to you, This food has been used as an offering, do not take it, on account of him who said it, and on account of his sense of right and wrong:

29 Right and wrong, I say, not for you, but for the other man; for the fact that I am free is not dependent on another man's sense of right or wrong.

30 But if I give praise to God for the food which I take, let no man say evil of me for that reason.

31 So then, if it is a question of food or drink, or any other thing, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give no cause of trouble to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God.

33 Even as I give way to all men in all things, not looking for profit for myself, but for the good of others, that they may get salvation.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 10

In this chapter the apostle prosecutes the argument at the close of the last, and,

  • I. Warns the Corinthians against security, by the example of the Jews, who, notwithstanding their profession and privileges, were terribly punished of God for their many sins, their history being left upon record for the admonition of Christians (v. 1-14).
  • II. He resumes his former argument (ch. 8), about eating things offered to idols; and shows that it was utterly inconsistent with true Christianity, that it was downright gross idolatry, to eat them as things offered to idols; it is having fellowship with devils, which cannot consist with having fellowship with God (v. 15-22).
  • III. He lets them yet know that though they must not eat of things sacrificed to idols as such, and out of any regard to the idol, yet they might buy such flesh in the markets, or eat it at the table of heathen acquaintances, without asking any questions; for that the heathens' abuse of them did not render the creatures of God unfit to be the food of his servants. Yet liberty of this kind must be used with a due regard to weak consciences, and no offence given by it t Jew nor Gentile, nor to the church of God (v. 23-33).

1Cr 10:1-5

In order to dissuade the Corinthians from communion with idolaters, and security in any sinful course, he sets before them the example of the Jews, the church under the Old Testament. They enjoyed great privileges, but, having been guilty of heinous provocations, they fell under very grievous punishments. In these verses he reckons up their privileges, which, in the main, were the same with ours.

  • I. He prefaces this discourse with a note of regard: "Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant. I would not have you without the knowledge of this matter; it is a thing worthy both of your knowledge and attention. It is a history very instructive and monitory.' Judaism was Christianity under a veil, wrapt up in types and dark hints. The gospel was preached to them, in their legal rites and sacrifices. And the providence of God towards them, and what happened to them notwithstanding these privileges, may and ought to be warnings to us.
  • II. He specifies some of their privileges. He begins,
    • 1. With their deliverance from Egypt: "Our fathers, that is, the ancestors of us Jews, were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea. They were all under the divine covering and conduct.' The cloud served for both purposes: it sometimes contracted itself into a cloudy pillar, shining on one side to show them their way, dark on the other to hide them from their pursuing enemies; and sometimes spread itself over them as a mighty sheet, to defend them from the burning sun in the sandy desert, Ps. 105:39. They were miraculously conducted through the Red Sea, where the pursuing Egyptians were drowned: it was a lane to them, but a grave to these: a proper type of our redemption by Christ, who saves us by conquering and destroying his enemies and ours. They were very dear to God, and much in his favour, when he would work such miracles for their deliverance, and take them so immediately under his guidance and protection.
    • 2. They had sacraments like ours.
      • (1.) They were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud, and in the sea (v. 2), or into Moses, that is, brought under obligation to Moses's law and covenant, as we are by baptism under the Christian law and covenant. It was to them a typical baptism.
      • (2.) They did all eat of the same spiritual meat, and drink of the same spiritual drink, that we do. The manna on which they fed was a type of Christ crucified, the bread which came down from heaven, which whoso eateth shall live forever. Their drink was a stream fetched from a rock which followed them in all their journeyings in the wilderness; and this rock was Christ, that is, in type and figure. He is the rock on which the Christian church is built; and of the streams that issue from him do all believers drink, and are refreshed. Now all the Jews did eat of this meat, and drink of this rock, called here a spiritual rock, because it typified spiritual things. These were great privileges. One would think that this should have saved them; that all who ate of that spiritual meat, and drank of that spiritual drink, should have been holy and acceptable to God. Yet was it otherwise: With many of them God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness, v. 5. Note, Men may enjoy many and great spiritual privileges in this world, and yet come short of eternal life. Many of those who were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and sea, that is, had their faith of his divine commission confirmed by these miracles, were yet overthrown in the wilderness, and never saw the promised land. Let none presume upon their great privileges, or profession of the truth; these will not secure heavenly happiness, nor prevent judgments here on earth, except the root of the matter be in us.

1Cr 10:6-14

The apostle, having recited their privileges, proceeds here to an account of their faults and punishments, their sins and plagues, which are left upon record for an example to us, a warning against the like sins, if we would escape the like punishments. We must not do as they did, lest we suffer as they suffered.

  • I. Several of their sins are specified as cautions to us; as,
    • 1. We should shun inordinate desires after carnal objects: Not lust after evil things, as they lusted, v. 6. God fed them with manna, but they must have flesh, Num. 11:4. They had food for their supply, but, not content with this, they asked meat for their lusts, Ps. 106:14. Carnal desires get head by indulgence, and therefore should be observed and checked in their first rise: if once they prevail, and bear sway in us, we know not whither they will carry us. This caution stands first, because carnal appetites indulged are the root and source of much sin.
    • 2. He warns against idolatry (v. 7): Neither be you idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. The sin of the golden calf is referred to, Ex. 32:6. They first sacrificed to their idol, then feasted on the sacrifices, and then danced before it. Though only eating and drinking are mentioned here, yet the sacrifice is supposed. The apostle is speaking to the case of the Corinthians, who were tempted to feast on the heathen sacrifices, things offered to idols, though they do not seem to have been under any temptation to offer sacrifice themselves. Even eating and drinking of the sacrifices before the idol, and as things sacrificed, was idolatry, which, by the example of the Israelites, they should be warned to avoid.
    • 3. He cautions against fornication, a sin to which the inhabitants of Corinth were in a peculiar manner addicted. They had a temple among them dedicated to Venus (that is, to lust), with above a thousand priestesses belonging to it, all common prostitutes. How needful was a caution against fornication to those who lived in so corrupt a city, and had been used to such dissolute manners, especially when they were under temptations to idolatry too! and spiritual whoredom did in many cases lead to bodily prostitution. Most of the gods whom the heathens served were represented as patterns of lewdness; and much lewdness was committed in the very worship of many of them. Many of the Jewish writers, and many Christians after them, think that such worship was paid to Baal-Peor; and that fornication was committed with the daughters of Moab in the worship of that idol. They were enticed by these women both to spiritual and corporal whoredom; first to feast on the sacrifice, if not to do more beastly acts, in honour of the idol, and then to defile themselves with strange flesh (Num. 25), which brought on a plague, that in one day slew twenty-three thousand, besides those who fell by the hand of public justice. Note, Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge, in whatever external relation they may stand to him, and whatever outward privileges he may bestow upon them. Let us fear the sins of Israel, if we would shun their plagues.
    • 4. He warns us against tempting Christ (as some of them tempted, and were destroyed of serpents, v. 9), or provoking him to jealousy, v. 22. He was with the church in the wilderness; he was the angel of the covenant, who went before them. But he was greatly grieved and provoked by them in many ways: They spoke against him and Moses, Wherefore have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for which reason God sent fiery serpents among them (Num. 21:5, 6), by which many of them were stung mortally. And it is but just to fear that such as tempt Christ under the present dispensation will be left by him in the power of the old serpent.
    • 5. He warns against murmuring: Neither murmur you as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer (v. 10), by a destroying angel, an executioner of divine vengeance. They quarrelled with God, and murmured against Moses his minister, when any difficulties pressed them. When they met with discouragements in the way to Canaan, they were very apt to fly in the face of their leaders, were for displacing them, and going back to Egypt under the conduct of others of their own choosing. Something like this seems to have been the case of the Corinthians; they murmured against Paul, and in him against Christ, and seem to have set up other teachers, who would indulge and soothe them in their inclinations, and particularly in a revolt to idolatry. Rather let them feast on idol sacrifices than bear the reproach, or expose themselves to the ill-will, of heathen neighbours. Such conduct was very provoking to God, and was likely to bring upon them swift destruction, as it did on the Israelites, Num. 14:37. Note, Murmuring against divine disposals and commands is a sin that greatly provokes, especially when it grows to such a head as to issue in apostasy, and a revolt from him and his good ways.
  • II. The apostle subjoins to these particular cautions a more general one (v. 11): All these things happened to them for ensamples, and were written for our admonition. Not only the laws and ordinances of the Jews, but the providences of God towards them, were typical. Their sins against God, and backslidings from him, were typical of the infidelity of many under the gospel. God's judgments on them were types of spiritual judgments now. Their exclusion from the earthly Canaan typified the exclusion of many under the gospel out of the heavenly Canaan, for their unbelief. Their history was written, to be a standing monitor to the church, even under the last and most perfect dispensation: To us, on whom the end of the world is come, the concluding period of God's gracious government over men. Note, Nothing in scripture is written in vain. God had wise and gracious purposes towards us in leaving the Jewish history upon record; and it is our wisdom and duty to receive instruction from it. Upon this hint the apostle grounds a caution (v. 12): Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Note, The harms sustained by others should be cautious to us. He that thinks he stands should not be confident and secure, but upon his guard. Others have fallen, and so may we. And then we are most likely to fall when we are most confident of our own strength, and thereupon most apt to be secure, and off our guard. Distrust of himself, putting him at once upon vigilance and dependence on God, is the Christian's best security against all sin. Note, He who thinks he stands is not likely to keep his footing, if he fears no fall, nor guards against it. God has not promised to keep us from falling, if we do not look to ourselves: his protection supposes our own care and caution.
  • III. But to this word of caution he adds a word of comfort, v. 13. Though it is displeasing to God for us to presume, it is not pleasing to him for us to despair. If the former be a great sin, the latter is far from being innocent. Though we must fear and take heed lest we fall, yet should we not be terrified and amazed; for either our trials will be proportioned to our strength, or strength will be supplied in proportion to our temptations. We live indeed in a tempting world, where we are compassed about with snares. Every place, condition, relation, employment, and enjoyment, abounds with them; yet what comfort may we fetch from such a passage! For,
    • 1. "No temptation,' says the apostle, "hath yet taken you, but such as is common to man, what is human; that is, such as you may expect from men of such principles as heathens, and such power; or else such as is common to mankind in the present state; or else such as the spirit and resolution of mere men may bear you through.' Note, The trials of common Christians are but common trials: others have the like burdens and the like temptations; what they bear up under, and break through, we may also.
    • 2. God is faithful. Though Satan be a deceiver, God is true. Men may be false, and the world may be false; but God is faithful, and our strength and security are in him. He keepeth his covenant, and will never disappoint the filial hope and trust of his children.
    • 3. He is wise as well as faithful, and will proportion our burden to our strength. He will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able. He knows what we can bear, and what we can bear up against; and he will, in his wise providence, either proportion our temptations to our strength or make us able to grapple with them. He will take care that we be not overcome, if we rely upon him, and resolve to approve ourselves faithful to him. We need not perplex ourselves with the difficulties in our way when God will take care that they shall not be too great for us to encounter, especially.
    • 4. When he will make them to issue well. He will make a way to escape, either the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. There is no valley so dark but he can find a way through it, no affliction so grievous but he can prevent, or remove, or enable us to support it, and in the end overrule it to our advantage.
  • IV. And upon this argument he grounds another caution against idolatry: Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. Observe,
    • 1. How he addresses them: My dearly beloved. It is out of tender affection to them that he presses this advice upon them.
    • 2. The matter of his advice: "Flee idolatry; shun it, and all approaches towards it.' Idolatry is the most heinous injury and affront to the true God; it is transferring his worship and honour to a rival.
    • 3. The ground of this advice: "Seeing you have such encouragement to trust God, and to be faithful, do you approve yourselves men, be not shaken by any discouragements your heathen enemies may lay before you. God will succour and assist, help you in your trials, and help you out of them; and therefore be not guilty of any idolatrous compliances.' Note, We have all the encouragement in the world to flee sin and prove faithful to God. We cannot fall by a temptation if we cleave fast to him.

1Cr 10:15-22

In this passage the apostle urges the general caution against idolatry, in the particular case of eating the heathen sacrifices as such, and out of any religious respect to the idol to whom they were sacrificed.

  • I. He prefaces his argument with an appeal to their own reason and judgment: "I speak to wise men, judge you what I say, v. 15. You are great pretenders to wisdom, to close reasoning and argument; I can leave it with your own reason and conscience whether I do not argue justly.' Note, It is no dishonour to an inspired teacher, nor disadvantage to his argument, to appeal for the truth of it to the reason and consciences of his hearers. It comes upon them with the greater force when it comes with this conviction. Paul, an inspired apostle, would yet, in some cases, leave it with the Corinthians to judge whether what he taught was not conformable to their own light and sense.
  • II. He lays down his argument from the Lord's supper: The cup 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? Is not this sacred rite an instrument of communion with God? Do we not therein profess to be in friendship, and to have fellowship, with him? Is it not a token whereby we professedly hold communion with Christ, whose body was broken, and blood shed, to procure remission of our sins, and the favour of God? And can we be in alliance with Christ, or friendship with God, without being devoted to him? In short, the Lord's supper is a feast on the sacrificed body and blood of our Lord, epulum ex oblatis. And to eat of the feast is to partake of the sacrifice, and so to be his guests to whom the sacrifice was offered, and this in token of friendship with him. Thus to partake of the Lord's table is to profess ourselves his guests and covenant people. This is the very purpose and intention of this symbolical eating and drinking; it is holding communion with God, and partaking of those privileges, and professing ourselves under those obligations, which result from the death and sacrifice of Christ; and this in conjunction with all true Christians, with whom we have communion also in this ordinance. Because the bread is one, we, being many, are one body, for we are made partakers of one bread, or loaf (v. 17), which I think is thus more truly rendered: "By partaking of one broken loaf, the emblem of our Saviour's broken body, who is the only true bread that came down from heaven, we coalesce into one body, become members of him and one another.' Those who truly partake by faith have this communion with Christ, and one another; and those who eat the outward elements make profession of having this communion, of belonging to God and the blessed fraternity of his people and worshippers. This is the true meaning of this holy rite.
  • III. He confirms this from the Jewish worship and customs: Behold Israel after the flesh: are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar, that is, of the sacrifice offered upon it? Those who were admitted to eat of the offerings were reckoned to partake of the sacrifice itself, as made for them, and to be sanctified thereby; and therefore surely to worship God, and be in alliance or covenant with him, even the God of Israel, to whom the sacrifice was made: this was a symbol or token of holding communion with him.
  • IV. He applies this to the argument against feasting with idolaters on their sacrifices, and to prove those that do so idolaters. This he does,
    • 1. By following the principle on which they would argue it to be lawful, namely, that an idol was nothing. Many of them were nothing at all, none of them had any divinity in them. What was sacrificed to idols was nothing, no way changed from what it was before, but was every whit as fit for food, considered in itself. They indeed seem to argue that, because an idol was nothing, what was offered was no sacrifice, but common and ordinary food, of which they might therefore eat with as little scruple. Now the apostle allows that the food was not changed as to its nature, was as fit to be eaten as common food, where it was set before any who knew not of its having been offered to an idol. But,
    • 2. He proves that the eating of it as a part of a heathen sacrifice was,
      • (1.) A partaking with them in their idolatry. It was having fellowship with devils, because what the Gentiles sacrificed they sacrificed to devils; and to feast with them upon these sacrifices was to partake in the sacrifice, and therefore to worship the god to whom it was made, and have fellowship or communion with him just as he who eats the Lord's supper is supposed to partake in the Christian sacrifice; or as those who ate the Jewish sacrifices partook of what was offered on their altar. But heathens sacrificed to devils: "Therefore do not feast on their sacrifices. Doing it is a token of your having fellowship with the demons to whom they are offered. I would not have you be in communion with devils.'
      • (2.) It was a virtual renouncing of Christianity: You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and the table of devils, v. 21. To partake of this Christian feast was to have communion with Christ: to partake of the feasts made in honour of the heathen idols, and made of things sacrificed to them, was to have communion with devils. Now this was to compound contraries; it was by no means consistent. Communion with Christ, and communion with devils, could never be had at once. One must be renounced, if the other was maintained. He who held communion with Christ must renounce that with devils; he who held communion with devils must by that very deed renounce communion with Christ. And what a manifest self-contradiction must that man's conduct be that would partake of the Lord's table, and yet partake of the table of demons! God and mammon can never be served together, nor fellowship be at once had with Christ and Satan. Those who communicate with devils must virtually renounce Christ. This may also intimate that such as indulge themselves in gluttony or drunkenness, and by so doing make their own table the table of devils, or keep up fellowship with Satan by a course of known and wilful wickedness, cannot partake truly of the cup and table of the Lord. They may use the sign, but do not the thing signified thereby. For a man can never be at once in communication with Christ and his church and yet in fellowship with Satan. Note, How much reason have we to look to it that every sin and idol be renounced by us, when we eat and drink at the Lord's table.
  • V. He warns them, upon the whole, against such idolatry, by signifying to them that God is a jealous God (v. 22): Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? It is very probable that many among the Corinthians made light of being at these heathen feasts, and thought there was no harm in it. But the apostle bids them beware. The reason with which the second commandment is enforced is, I am a jealous God. God cannot endure a rival in matter of worship; nor give his glory, nor suffer it to be given, to another. Those who have fellowship with other gods provoke him to jealousy, Deu. 32:16. And, before this be done, persons should consider whether they are stronger than he. It is a dangerous thing to provoke God's anger, unless we could withstand his power. But who can stand before him when he is angry? Nah. 1:6. This should be considered by all who continue in the love and liking of sin, and in league with it, while yet they profess to keep up communion with Christ. Is not this the way to provoke his jealousy and indignation? Note, Attention to the greatness of God's power should restrain us from provoking his jealousy, from doing any thing to displease him. Shall we rouse almighty wrath? And how shall we withstand it? Are we a match for God? Can we resist his power, or control it? And, if not, shall we arm it against us, by provoking him to jealousy? No, let us fear his power, and let this restrain us from all provocation.

1Cr 10:23-33

In this passage the apostle shows in what instances, notwithstanding, Christians might lawfully eat what had been sacrificed to idols. They must not eat it out of religious respect to the idol, nor go into his temple, and hold a feast there, upon what they knew was an idol-sacrifice; nor perhaps out of the temple, if they knew it was a feast held upon a sacrifice, but there were cases wherein they might without sin eat what had been offered. Some such the apostle here enumerates.-But,

  • I. He gives a caution against abusing our liberty in lawful things. That may be lawful which is not expedient, which will not edify. A Christian must not barely consider what is lawful, but what is expedient, and for the use of edification. A private Christian should do so even in his private conduct. He must not seek his own only, but his neighbour's wealth. He must be concerned not to hurt his neighbour, nay, he must be concerned to promote his welfare; and must consider how to act so that he may help others, and not hinder them in their holiness, comfort, or salvation. Those who allow themselves in every thing not plainly sinful in itself will often run into what is evil by accident, and do much mischief to others. Every thing lawful in itself to be done is not therefore lawfully done. Circumstances may make that a sin which in itself is none. These must be weighed, and the expediency of an action, and its tendency to edification, must be considered before it be done. Note, The welfare of others, as well as our own convenience, must be consulted in many things we do, if we would do them well.
  • II. He tells them that what was sold in the shambles they might eat without asking questions. The priest's share of heathen sacrifices was thus frequently offered for sale, after it had been offered in the temple. Now the apostle tells them they need not be so scrupulous as to ask the butcher in the market whether the meat he sold had been offered to an idol? It was there sold as common food, and as such might be bought and used; for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof (v. 26), and the fruit and products of the earth were designed by him, the great proprietor, for the use and subsistence of mankind, and more especially of his own children and servants. Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer, 1 Tim. 4:4, 5. To the pure all things are pure, Tit. 1:15. Note, Though it is sinful to use any food in an idolatrous manner, it is no sin, after such abuse, to apply it, in a holy manner, to its common use.
  • III. He adds that if they were invited by any heathen acquaintances to a feast, they might go, and eat what was set before them, without asking questions (v. 27), nay, though they knew things sacrificed to idols were served up at such entertainments, as well as sold in the shambles. Note, The apostle does not prohibit their going to a feast upon the invitation of those that believed not. There is a civility owing even to infidels and heathens. Christianity does by no means bind us up from the common offices of humanity, nor allow us an uncourteous behaviour to any of our own kind, however they may differ from us in religious sentiments or practices. And when Christians were invited to feast with infidels they were not to ask needless questions about the food set before them, but eat without scruple. Needless enquiries might perplex their minds and consciences, for which reason they were to be avoided. Any thing fit to be eaten, that was set before them at a common entertainment, they might lawfully eat. And why then should they scrupulously enquire whether what was set before them had been sacrificed? It is to be understood of civil feasting, not religious; for the latter among the heathens was feasting upon their sacrifices, which he had condemned before as a participation in their idolatrous worship. At a common feast they might expect common food; and they needed not to move scruples in their own minds whether what was set before them was otherwise or no. Note, Though Christians should be very careful to know and understand their duty, yet they should not, by needless enquiries, perplex themselves.
  • IV. Yet, even at such an entertainment, he adds, if any should say it was a thing that had been offered to idols, they should refrain: Eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience' sake. Whether it were the master of the feast or any of the guests, whether it were spoken in the hearing of all or whispered in the ear, they should refrain for his sake who suggested this to them, whether he were an infidel or an infirm Christian; and for conscience' sake, out of regard to conscience, that they might show a regard to it in themselves, and keep up a regard to it in others. This he backs with the same reason as the former: For the earth is the Lord's. There is food enough provided by our common Lord, of which we maya eat without scruple. The same doctrine may be variously improved, as here: "The earth is the Lord's, therefore you may eat any thing without scruple that is set before you as common food; and yet, because the earth is the Lord's, eat nothing that will give offence, lay a stumbling-block before others, and encourage some in idolatry, or tempt others to eat when they are not clear in their own mind that it is lawful, and so sin, and wound their own consciences.' Note, Christians should be very cautious of doing what may thus prejudice the consciences of others, and weaken their authority with them, which is by all means to be kept up.
  • V. He urges them to refrain where they will give offence, while yet he allows it lawful to eat what was et before them as common food, though it had been offered in sacrifice. "Another man's conscience is no measure to our conduct. What he thinks unlawful is not thereby made unlawful to me, but may be a matter of liberty still; and as long as I own God as a giver of my food, and render him thanks for it, it is very unjust to reproach me for using it.' This must be understood abstracted from the scandal given by eating in the circumstance mentioned. Though some understand it to mean, "Why should I, by using the liberty I have, give occasion to those who are scandalized to speak evil of me?' According to that advice of the apostle (Rom. 14:16), Let not your good be evil spoken of. Note, Christians should take care not to use their liberty to the hurt of others, nor their own reproach.
  • VI. The apostle takes occasion from this discourse to lay down a rule for Christians' conduct, and apply it to this particular case (v. 31, 32), namely, that 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 fundamental principle of practical godliness. The great end of all practical religion must direct us where particular and express rules are wanting. Nothing must be done against the glory of God, and the good of our neighbours, connected with it. Nay, the tendency of our behaviour to the common good, and the credit of our holy religion, should give direction to it. And therefore nothing should be done by us to offend any, whether Jew, or Gentile, or the church, v. 32. The Jews should not be unnecessarily grieved nor prejudiced, who have such an abhorrence of idols that they reckon every thing offered to them thereby defiled, and that it will pollute and render culpable all who partake of it; nor should heathens be countenanced in their idolatry by any behaviour of ours, which they may construe as homage or honour done to their idols; nor young converts from Gentilism take any encouragement from our conduct to retain any veneration for the heathen gods and worship, which they have renounced: nor should we do any thing that may be a means to pervert any members of the church from their Christian profession or practice. Our own humour and appetite must not determine our practice, but the honour of God and the good and edification of the church. We should not so much consult our own pleasure and interest as the advancement of the kingdom of God among men. Note, A Christian should be a man devoted to God, and of a public spirit.
  • VII. He presses all upon them by his own example: Even as I please all men (or study to do it) in all things (that I lawfully can), not seeking my own profit, but that of many, that they may be saved, v. 33. Note, A preacher may press his advice home with boldness and authority when he can enforce it with his own example. He is most likely to promote a public spirit in others who can give evidence of it in himself. And it is highly commendable in a minister to neglect his own advantage that he may promote the salvation of his hearers. This shows that he has a spirit suitable to his function. It is a station for public usefulness, and can never be faithfully discharged by a man of a narrow spirit and selfish principles.