1 Corinthians 10:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

NIV: Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

NASB: Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

CSB: So then, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

NLT: So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.

KJV: Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

NKJV: Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

Paul has pointed to several instances from Israel's wilderness wanderings in which God harshly disciplined His own people for their sin. The apostle has encouraged the Christians in Corinth to take this as a warning. God always provides a means to resist temptation and avoid sin (1 Corinthians 10:13). This means there is no such thing as an "unavoidable" sin. In light of that, Paul urges believers to run away from the worship of false idols.

Paul gave these believers in Corinth similar commands about idolatry and sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18). In these two areas, especially, the only wise approach is to head in the other direction. This echoes the famous choice of Joseph, son of Jacob, who literally ran away from temptation (Genesis 39:7–12).

This command is further justified by what Paul writes in the following verses. He will connect idol worship to participation with demons. Paul intends for this command to inform the Corinthian Christians' choices, as well, about when to eat meat that may or may not have been offered to an idol.

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 5/2/2024 3:13:57 AM