1 Corinthians

Addresses issues in the Corinthian church, teaching on unity, love, and resurrection.

Chapter 10

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

*Furthermore, friends, I don't want you to be unaware that all of our ancestors were under a cloud, and they all went through the sea.

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

*Everyone was symbolically cleansed by being connected to Moses through the cloud and the sea.

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

*And everyone ate the same special food spiritually.

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

*Everyone drank from the same special water. They drank from the spiritual Rock that went with them, and that Rock was Jesus.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

*But many of them displeased God; they were defeated in the desert.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

*These events showed us what not to desire, so we don't crave bad things like they did.

7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

*Don't worship false gods, like some did; the scripture says, they ate and drank, then played instead of worshiping properly.

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

*Don't engage in sexual sin like some did; they were destroyed along with 32,000 others in a single day.

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

*Don't test Jesus like some people did, or they got hurt by snakes.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

*Don't complain like some others did, or you might be destroyed too.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

*This verse means that these events happened as examples for us. They were recorded to teach us lessons, especially since we live in the last times.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

*So, if someone thinks they're standing firm, they should be careful not to fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

*No temptation has taken you that isn't common for people. But God is reliable and won't let you face more than you can handle. He'll provide a way to escape so you can handle the temptation.

14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

*So, my dear friend, avoid worshiping false gods.

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

*I talk to smart people; decide if what I say is right.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

*The cup we thank for is Christ's blood; isn't it a sharing in his body? The bread we break is also a sharing in his body.

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

*Because when many of us come together, we become one united group, like a single loaf of bread, and we all share in that same bread.

18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

*Look, Israel, as physical people: don't they share in eating the sacrifices and become a part of the altar?

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

*So what am I saying? That the idol has any importance, or the offering made to the idol has any significance?

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

*I say that when non-Jews offer sacrifices, they are actually offering them to demons, not God, and I don't want you to be involved with these demons.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

*You can't drink from the Lord's cup and the devil's cup. You also can't share in the Lord's table and the devil's table.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

*Are we making God envious? Are we more powerful than him?

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

*I can do anything, but not everything is good: I can do anything, but not everything builds up others.

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

*Don't look out for yourself; instead, help others to grow rich.

25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

*Whatever is sold at the meat market, eat without questioning for the sake of not feeling guilty.

26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

*The Earth belongs to the Lord, and everything in it.

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

*If someone who doesn't believe invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is served without questioning it for the sake of your conscience.

28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

*But if someone tells you this is offered as a sacrifice to idols, don't eat it for their sake or for your own sense of duty. Because the earth belongs to the Lord, along with everything in it.

29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

*Conscience means someone else's moral judgment, not yours. Why should others judge your freedom based on their own moral beliefs?

30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

*If I receive God's kindness, why do people say bad things about me for the thing I thank Him for?

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

*So, whether you eat, drink, or do anything, just do it to show honor to God.

32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

*Don't upset anyone - whether they are Jews, Gentiles, or part of God's church.

33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

*I try to make everyone happy in everything, not for my benefit, but for the good of many, so they can be saved.

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