The Gospel of 1st Corinthians
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,
all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
all ate the same spiritual food,
and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;
nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;
nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.
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?
For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?
Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.
Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake;
for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake.
But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
“Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?
But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Content source: the New King James Version 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Image source: Our media Team
Here Paul makes mention among other things, aspects worthy of being imitated in the Christian people, bringing as examples the attitudes of the ancient Christians.
It emphasizes that Christian freedom has its limits; however, it does not include any relation to idolatry; Although the idols are nothing, the demonic powers that are behind them are real, the story illustrates the danger of self-indulgence. Israel had redemptive experiences that are compared to water baptism and participating in the Lord's Supper, but many of their children sinned and were destroyed.
also emphasizes that Christ is the rock, therefore Christ is the central figure in the entire history of redemption, Christ was incarnated at birth, but that was not his origin, He was behind the miraculous rain of manna that fell on him. desert and the source of water that flowed there, the rock followed him in the sense that the blessings of Christ, symbolized by it, never failed.
God does not allow us to be tempted more than we can bear, but we must always be watching so that God strengthens us and gives us the strength to face every temptation, equally we must guard ourselves for the Lord and not participate in things contrary to God...
Verse 16
"The cup of blessing"
The cup that is taken at the Lord's Supper represents the death of Christ and his suffering for all sinners. The Bible teaches us that the bread and the fruit of the vine become physically and physically in the body and blood of Christ.