1 Corinthians 10:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,

NIV: We should not test Christ, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes.

NASB: Nor are we to put the Lord to the test, as some of them did, and were killed by the snakes.

CSB: Let us not test Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by snakes.

NLT: Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites.

KJV: Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

NKJV: nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;

Paul continues to present examples of God's discipline of the generation of Israelites who died in the wilderness. These are given to demonstrate the fact that God can, and will, bring earthly consequences to His people as a result of their sin. In the previous verses, Paul has referenced God's killing of tens of thousands of Israelites for craving what they had not been given, and for participating in idol worship and sexual immorality.

Now Paul warns the Corinthians not to put Christ to the test in questioning his leading in their lives. That's what some of the Israelites did when God led the nation to go one way and not another through the wilderness (Numbers 21:4–6). They complained against both God and Moses, bitterly questioning God's plan and His provision for them. In this case, God sent serpents in among the people and many died. That incident, itself, served as a foreshadowing of the ministry of Jesus Christ and His role in saving mankind (John 3:14).

First Corinthians 10:1–13 describes how the generation of Israelites who escaped from Egypt were blessed by God and yet fell repeatedly into idol worship. God severely punished many of them, including the fate of wandering the desert until death. The Corinthians should read their example as a warning unless they, too, fall at God's hand for participating with idols. Their standing in Christ does not mean that God will not act against unfaithfulness to Him with false gods. Still, such temptations are common, and God always provides His children a way to escape from sin.

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 4/28/2024 9:26:32 PM