1 Corinthians 10:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

NIV: I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

NASB: I speak as to wise people; you then, judge what I say.

CSB: I am speaking as to sensible people. Judge for yourselves what I am saying.

NLT: You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.

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

NKJV: I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.

Paul has just issued a command that the Corinthian Christians must run away from idol worship of any kind. Now he adds that they are sensible people. They should be able to understand and easily agree with what he is about to say to them. What follows are a series of questions; Paul's intent is to make it clear that these have obvious answers. Sensible people can only respond to these in one way. Those assumed responses are the lessons readers are meant to gain from those words.

This is not flattery. Paul isn't trying to sweet-talk his readers to get them on his side. Rather, he seems intent that they are not to make what he is about to write more difficult than it needs to be. If they have followed his logic to this point, they should respond to what follows with the only reasonable conclusions. If all the previous warnings about idolatry, temptation, and the consequences of sin are true, then the response of Christians ought to be a matter of common sense.

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 5/4/2024 2:53:40 PM