1 Corinthians 10:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

NIV: Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.

NASB: Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

CSB: Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, since all of us share the one bread.

NLT: And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.

KJV: For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

NKJV: For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

Paul is describing the practice of Christian communion to build his case for why believers should not knowingly eat food that has been offered to pagan idols. He has written that by consuming the bread and wine, we are together participating in the body and blood of Jesus.

Now Paul shows how that creates a unity among believers. He points to the "one bread." The practice of the day would have been to start with a single loaf of bread and break off pieces to distribute to each person.

Paul is making the same connection in reverse. Christians are many different people who come together to form one body, which is Christ's body (1 Corinthians 12:27). This is a theme of Scripture which challenges mankind's natural tendency towards division (Galatians 3:28). Modern people take the equality of all people as a given, but prior to Christianity, it was a radical idea.

The loaf of bread, too, represents Christ's body, broken into pieces for us. What a beautiful double-picture of Christ's broken body and the whole body of Christ.

First Corinthians 10:14–22 describes why it is essential to run away from idol worship of any kind. Participating in communion by taking in the representations of Christ's body and blood brings us into participation with Him. To be involved with idolatry causes people to participate with demons. Nobody can remain in participation both with Christ and demons. Paul uses questions to warn the Corinthians about stirring up the Lord's jealousy in this way. He is stronger than us and willing to act when betrayed.

Idol worship is an extremely serious sin. Paul reminds the Christians in idol-saturated Corinth of that by referring to the history of the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness. Though blessed by God, they worshiped false idols. God killed many of them for it. Paul commands his readers to flee from idol worship. To participate with idol worship in any way is to participate with demons. God always provides some way to avoid sin. So, they must avoid giving anyone the idea that they approve of idol worship, even by knowingly eating food offered to idols. Their first question must always be, ''Will this glorify God?''

The previous chapter concluded with Paul's commitment to continue to control himself. He exercises discipline so he does not become ineffective in his ministry. He begins chapter 10 by reminding the Corinthians of how the Israelites brought consequences on themselves in the wilderness. Among their many sins was worshiping idols, and God killed many of them for it. The Corinthians must flee idol worship and any appearance of supporting the demonic practice. They are free to eat meat if they don't know that it is idol food. However, they should be ready to set aside their own freedoms and rights whenever doing so will glorify God and win others to Christ.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.

Accessed 11/21/2024 10:11:14 AM