Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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1 Corinthians
Book: 1 Corinthians
Chapter: 10
Overview:
The great privileges, and yet terrible overthrow of the
Israelites in the
Wilderness.
(1-5) Cautions against all
idolatrous, and other sinful practices.
(6-14) The partaking in
Idolatry cannot exist with having
Communion with
Christ.
(15-22)
All we do to be to the
Glory of
God, and without
Offence to the
consciences of others.
(23-33)
1-5 To dissuade the
Corinthians from
Communion with idolaters,
and security in any sinful course, the
Apostle sets before them
the
Example of the Jewish nation of old. They were,
By a
Miracle, led through the Red
Sea, where the pursuing Egyptians
were drowned. It was to them a typical
Baptism. The
Manna On
which they fed was a
Type of
Christ crucified, the
Bread which
came down from
Heaven, which whoso eateth shall live for ever.
Christ is the
Rock On which the
Christian Church is built; and
of the streams that issue therefrom, all believers
Drink, and
are refreshed. It typified the sacred influences of the Holy
Spirit, as given to believers through
Christ. But let none
presume upon their great privileges, or profession of the
Truth;
these will not secure heavenly happiness.
6-14 Carnal desires gain strength
By indulgence, therefore
should be checked in their first rise. Let us fear the sins of
Israel, if we would shun their plagues. And it is but just to
fear, that such as tempt
Christ, will be left
By him in the
power of the old
Serpent.
Murmuring against
God's disposals and
commands, greatly provokes him. Nothing in
Scripture is written
in vain; and it is our
Wisdom and duty to learn from it. Others
have fallen, and
So may we. The
Christian's security against
Sin
is distrust of himself.
God has not promised to keep us from
falling, if we do not look to ourselves. To this
Word of
caution, a
Word of comfort is added. Others have the like
burdens, and the like temptations: what they
Bear up under, and
break through, we may also.
God is
Wise as
Well as
Faithful, and
will make our burdens according to our strength. He knows what
we can
Bear. He will make a way to escape; he will deliver
either from the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. We
have full encouragement to flee from
Sin, and to be
Faithful to
God. We cannot fall
By Temptation, if we cleave
Fast to him.
Whether the world smiles or frowns, it is an enemy; but
believers shall be strengthened to overcome it, with all its
terrors and enticements. The fear of the
Lord,
Put into their
hearts, will be the great means of safety.
15-22 Did not the joining in the
Lord's
Supper show a
profession of
Faith in
Christ crucified, and of adoring
gratitude to him for his
Salvation ? Christians,
By this
ordinance, and the
Faith therein professed, were united as the
grains of
Wheat in one loaf of
Bread, or as the members in the
human body, seeing they were all united to
Christ, and had
Fellowship with him and one another. This is confirmed from the
Jewish
Worship and customs in
Sacrifice. The
Apostle applies
this to feasting with idolaters.
Eating Food as part of a
Heathen Sacrifice, was worshipping the
Idol to whom it was made,
and having
Fellowship or
Communion with it; just as he who eats
the
Lord's
Supper, is accounted to partake in the
Christian
Sacrifice, or as they who ate the Jewish sacrifices partook of
what was offered
On their
Altar. It was denying Christianity;
for
Communion with
Christ, and
Communion with devils, could
never be had at once. If Christians venture into places, and
join in sacrifices to the
Lust of the
Flesh, the
Lust of the
Eye, and the pride of
Life, they will provoke
God.
23-33 There were cases wherein Christians might eat what had
been offered to idols, without
Sin. Such as when the
Flesh was
sold in the market as common
Food, for the
Priest to whom it had
been given. But a
Christian must not merely consider what is
lawful, but what is expedient, and to edify others. Christianity
By No means forbids the common offices of kindness, or allows
uncourteous behaviour to any, however they may differ from us in
religious sentiments or practices. But this is not to be
understood of
Religious Festivals, partaking in idolatrous
Worship. According to this advice of the
Apostle, Christians
should take care not to use their liberty to the hurt of others,
or to their own reproach. In
Eating and drinking, and in all we
do, we should aim at the
Glory of
God, at pleasing and honouring
him. This is the great
End of all religion, and directs us where
express rules are wanting. A holy, peaceable, and benevolent
Spirit, will disarm the greatest enemies.