First Corinthians 10:1–13 . . .

Historical Examples — A Way Out of Sin

Sin: In today’s passage, Apostle Paul warns us about the dreadful and severe consequences of sin. He also challenges us to avoid sin and persevere in our Christian lives by giving us historical examples from which to learn. Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are condemned to repeat its mistakes. In these thirteen verses, two spiritual realities will reinforce this reality.

1)  Every one of God’s people experiences great spiritual privileges — vv. 1–5 (shown at the bottom of this page). In vv. 1–4, Paul tells the Corinthians that they’ve been blessed with the same spiritual blessings as Old Testament Israel. Like them, we too have received many spiritual privileges: In the same way that Israel was “under the cloud,“ we’ve experienced God’s protection and guidance; in the same way that Israel “passed through the sea,” we’ve “passed from death to life” (John 5:24); in the same way that Israel was “baptized into Moses,” we’ve been “baptized into Christ” (1 Cor. 12:13); in the same way that Israel ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper (see 1 Cor. 11:17–34); and in the same way that Israel was “accompanied” by Christ the spiritual rock, Christ is with us at all times (Hebrews 13:5).

After unloading the spiritual privileges of Father God’ people, Paul transitions into a startling contrast. In spite of Israel’s redeemed state and numerous blessings (vv. 1–4), Paul writes in v. 5, “Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.” The word “Nevertheless” emphasizes the contrast between how many were blessed (“all”) versus how many with whom God wasn’t pleased (“most of them”). What an understatement! Over two million people came out of Egypt, yet, only two male adults were allowed to enter the Promised Land — Joshua and Caleb. The rest were “scattered in the wilderness” (a.k.a. being six feet under).

So, while all of God’s people (then and today) continually experience great spiritual privileges, we next learn further that…

2)  Many of God’s people experience great spiritual failure (10:6–13)  In vv. 6–11, Paul draws himself, the Corinthians, and all of us into the story, giving us all a collective warning. He summarizes five stories from the 40 years of wilderness wandering, showing a pattern of disqualification. He’s going to tell us that it’s important for us to understand these Old Testament accounts, because we stand accountable as Israel did. He also wants us to see ourselves here because there’s a danger that we too might fall into sin as Israel did and become disqualified from receiving our reward.

Four, four, four  In vv. 7–10, Paul gets right in our face as he highlights four sins of Israel, four sins of the Corinthians, and four sins of people in the world today: idolatry, immorality, the testing of God, and grumbling. It’s essential that we realize their source: the craving of evil things. Fortunately for many of us, the last two verses of this passage (vv. 12–13) give a wonderful summary that balances an important warning with a hopeful word of encouragement and grace.

It’s good to know that we can choose to avoid disqualification by finishing well. Paul reminds us in v. 13 that when we’re vulnerable to falling into sin, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out.” Sure, it’s easy to assume that God isn’t with us when we’re tempted to sin. But this verse assures us that he’s always present, not standing by idly. Rather, he’s actively providing a way out so we can endure every temptation.

So, the next time you feel tempted, remember that you’re not helpless; there’s a divinely provided “way out”! Look for the sign that the Holy Spirit will put in front of you; then, follow it to safety.

Remember, always! God works actively to keep you and me from the danger of becoming lost in sin.

† Summary of 1 Corinthians 10:1–13

This is a passage in which Paul draws lessons from Israel’s history to warn and instruct the Corinthian church. Here’s my summary of its key points:

• Recalling Israel’s Experience

Here Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians of Israel’s experiences during the Exodus:

• All were under the cloud and passed through the sea.

• All were baptized into Moses.

• All ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink.

These experiences symbolize God’s presence and provision.

• Warning from Israel’s Failures

Despite these spiritual privileges, Paul notes that God wasn’t pleased with most of them:

• Their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

• They engaged in idolatry.

• They tested Christ and also grumbled.

Paul presents these as examples to warn the Corinthians against similar sins.

• Application for the Corinthian Church

Our apostle applies these historical lessons to the Corinthian context:

• These things occurred as examples and were written down as warnings.

• Those who think they are standing firm should be careful not to fall.

• God is faithful and will not let them be tempted beyond what they can bear.

• The Lord will provide a way out of temptation.

• The Multifaceted Purpose of the Passage

1) To warn against overconfidence and spiritual pride

2) To encourage vigilance against temptation

3) To remind believers of God’s faithfulness in times of trial

Paul uses Israel’s history as written warnings to address issues in the Corinthian church, such as idolatry and sexual immorality.

This thirteen-verse passage emphasizes the importance of learning from past examples, maintaining spiritual vigilance, and trusting in God’s faithfulness amidst temptation.

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New International Version (NIV)
[You can view it in a different version by clicking here; you can also listen to this chapter.]

Warnings From Israel’s History

10  For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. ²They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. ³They all ate the same spiritual food ⁴and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. ⁵Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

⁶Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. ⁷Do 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 revelry.” ⁸We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did — and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. ⁹We should not test Christ, as some of them did — and were killed by snakes. ¹⁰And do not grumble, as some of them did — and were killed by the destroying angel.

¹¹These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. ¹²So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! ¹³No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.