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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 1 Corinthians 10
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
of Israel's History
with Idolatry
and Responsibility for Others
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO 1Co_10:1 to 1Co_11:1
A. Chapters 8 through 10 are integrally related in their attempt to bring balance to the discussion of Christian freedom versus Christian responsibility in love. Paul does not focus on hard and fast rules, but on the priorities of interpersonal relationships that strengthen believers and draw unbelievers to Jesus.
B. Paul's discussion of the Lord's Supper, beginning in 1Co_10:14 and continuing through 1Co_10:22, is a foreshadowing of the fuller discussion in 1Co_11:17-34.
C. Paul possibly addresses the "weak" believers in 1Co_10:14-22 and the "strong" believers in 1Co_10:23-33. If this is not the structure, one wonders how these two paragraphs do not contradict each other: 1Co_10:14-22, don't eat sacrificial food; 1Co_10:23-33, eat if it is not questioned. Possibly the first refers to a public meal at a pagan temple and the second a private meal at home.
D. The United Bible Societies' Handbook on Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, by Ellingworth and Hatton has an interesting outline of 1Co_10:1-13.
"The general structure is as follows:
I. Introduction-verse 1a.
II. Positive aspects.
A. Four positive examples from the Old Testament-verses 1-4-the last example being expanded in 1Co_10:4 b.
B. Conclusions drawn from the positive examples-verse 5.
C. Application to the readers-verse 6a.
III. Negative aspects.
A. Five negative Old Testament examples-verses 6-10.
B. Application to the readers-verses 11-13.
The word all is repeated five times in 1Co_10:1-4, giving great emphasis to the fact that all the people of Israel shared God's protection and blessings during the exodus and the following years of wandering in the desert. All contrasts with most of them in 1Co_10:5 and with some of them, which is repeated four times in 1Co_10:7-10" (p. 214).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Were the Israelites who died in the wilderness spiritually lost?
2. What is the major purpose of the Lord's Supper?
3. How does one balance Christian freedom and Christian responsibility?
4. What should be the main goal of our freedom?