1 Corinthians 10:14-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 10:21

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils ,.... Not only they ought not, but they could not rightly, truly, and really drink the cup of wine in the Lord's supper, in the true faith of Christ's bloodshed, and his sacrifice offered up for them, in remembrance of his love, and to the honour of his name; and also the cup of wine of libations, poured out and drank to the honour of the Heathen deities; these things are utterly inconsistent; no man can serve two masters, God and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 10:22

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy ?.... As they do who are guilty of idolatry in any shape: nothing is more highly resented by God, or stirs him up more to wrath and fury, and to inflict punishment; he cannot bear, nor will he admit of a rival in religious worship; he is a God jealous of his own honour; nor will he give, or suffer to be given by others, his praise and glory to graven images: are we stronger than he ? to give into idolatrous practices, is to proclaim and enter into a war... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 10:14

Therefore - flee from idolatry - This is a trial of no great magnitude; to escape from so gross a temptation requires but a moderate portion of grace and circumspection. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 10:15

I speak as to wise men - The Corinthians valued themselves not a little on their wisdom and various gifts; the apostle admits this, and draws an argument from it against themselves. As ye are so wise, surely ye can see the propriety of abominating idolatry of every kind: for an idol is nothing in the world, and can do nothing for you and nothing against you. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 10:16

The cup of blessing - The apostle speaks here of the Eucharist, which he illustrates by the הברכה כוס cos habberacah , cup of blessing, over which thanks were expressed at the conclusion of the passover. See this largely explained at the conclusion of the notes on Matthew 26:75 , and in my Discourse upon the Eucharist, 8vo. 2nd edit. 1814. The communion of the blood of Christ? - We who partake of this sacred cup, in commemoration of the death of Christ, are made partakers of his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 10:17

For we, being many, are one bread - The original would be better translated thus: Because there is one bread, or loaf; we, who are many, are one body. As only one loaf was used at the passover, and those who partook of it were considered to be one religious body; so we who partake of the eucharistical bread and wine, in commemoration of the sacrificial death of Christ, are one spiritual society, because we are all made partakers of that one Christ whose blood was shed for us to make an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 10:18

Behold Israel after the flesh - The Jews not yet converted to Christianity: the latter being Israel after the Spirit. As the design of the apostle was to withdraw his converts at Corinth from all temptations to idolatry, he produces two examples to show the propriety of his endeavors. All who join together in celebrating the Lord's Supper, and are partakers of that one bread, give proof by this that they are Christians, and have fellowship with Christ. 2. All the Israelites who offer... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 10:19

What say I then? - A Jewish phrase for, I conclude; and this is his conclusion: that although an idol is nothing, has neither power nor influence, nor are things offered to idols any thing the worse for being thus offered; yet, as the things sacrificed by the Gentiles are sacrificed to demons and not to God, those who partake of them have fellowship with demons: those who profess Christianity cannot have fellowship both with Christ and the devil. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 10:21

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord - It is in vain that you who frequent these idol festivals profess the religion of Christ, and commemorate his death and passion in the holy eucharist; for you can not have that fellowship with Christ which this ordinance implies, while you are partakers of the table of demons. That the Gentiles, in their sacrifices, fed on the slain beasts, and ate bread and drank wine in honor of their gods, is sufficiently clear from various accounts. See my Discourse... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 10:22

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? - All idolatry is represented as a sort of spiritual adultery; it is giving that heart to Satan that should be devoted to God; and he is represented as being jealous, because of the infidelity of those who have covenanted to give their hearts to him. Are we stronger than he? - As he has threatened to punish such transgressors, and will infallibly do it, can we resist his omnipotence? A sinner should consider, while he is in rebellion against God,... read more

Group of Brands