1 Corinthians 10
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised
Warnings from Israel’s Past
10 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors(A) were all under the cloud,(B) all passed through the sea,(C) 2 and all were baptised(D) into Moses(E) in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food,(F) 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock(G) that followed them, and that rock was Christ.(H) 5 Nevertheless God was not pleased with most of them, since they were struck down in the wilderness.(I)
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, so that we will not desire(J) evil things as they did.[a](K) 7 Don’t become idolaters(L) as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to party.[b][c](M) 8 Let us not commit sexual immorality(N) as some of them did,[d] and in a single day twenty-three thousand people died.(O) 9 Let us not test Christ as some of them did[e] and were destroyed by snakes.(P) 10 And don’t grumble(Q) as some of them did,[f](R) and were killed by the destroyer.[g](S) 11 These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction,(T) on whom the ends of the ages[h](U) have come.(V) 12 So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.(W) 13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful;(X) he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out(Y) so that you may be able to bear it.
Warning against Idolatry
14 So then, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I am speaking as to sensible people. Judge for yourselves what I am saying. 16 The cup(Z) of blessing(AA) that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread(AB) that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one(AC) body, since all of us share the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel.[i] Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?(AD) 19 What am I saying then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I do say that what they[j] sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons! 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?(AE)
Christian Liberty
23 ‘Everything is permissible’,[k] but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’,[l] but not everything builds up. 24 No one is to seek his own good, but the good of the other person.(AF)
25 Eat everything that is sold in the meat market, without raising questions for the sake of conscience, 26 since the earth is the Lord’s,(AG) and all that is in it.[m](AH) 27 If any of the unbelievers invites you over and you want to go, eat everything that is set before you, without raising questions for the sake of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, ‘This is food from a sacrifice’, do not eat it,(AI) out of consideration for the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience.[n] 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person’s. For why is my freedom judged(AJ) by another person’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thanksgiving,(AK) why am I criticised because of something for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.(AL) 32 Give no offence(AM) to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please everyone in everything, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of many,(AN) so that they may be saved.
Footnotes
- 10:6 Lit they desired
- 10:7 Or to dance
- 10:7 Ex 32:6
- 10:8 Lit them committed sexual immorality
- 10:9 Lit them tested
- 10:10 Lit them grumbled
- 10:10 Or the destroying angel
- 10:11 Or goals of the ages, or culmination of the ages
- 10:18 Lit Look at Israel according to the flesh
- 10:20 Other mss read Gentiles
- 10:23 Other mss add for me
- 10:23 Other mss add for me
- 10:26 Ps 24:1
- 10:28 Other mss add ‘For the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.’
1 Corinthians 10
New King James Version
Old Testament Examples
10 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under (A)the cloud, all passed through (B)the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same (C)spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same (D)spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies (E)were scattered in the wilderness.
6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as (F)they also lusted. 7 (G)And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, (H)“The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 (I)Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as (J)some of them did, and (K)in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us [a]tempt Christ, as (L)some of them also tempted, and (M)were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as (N)some of them also complained, and (O)were destroyed by (P)the destroyer. 11 Now [b]all these things happened to them as examples, and (Q)they were written for our [c]admonition, (R)upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12 Therefore (S)let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but (T)God is faithful, (U)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 [d]bear it.
Flee from Idolatry
14 Therefore, my beloved, (V)flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to (W)wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 (X)The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the [e]communion of the blood of Christ? (Y)The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For (Z)we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
18 Observe (AA)Israel (AB)after the flesh: (AC)Are not those who eat of the sacrifices [f]partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? (AD)That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles (AE)sacrifice (AF)they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 (AG)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (AH)the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the (AI)Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we (AJ)provoke the Lord to jealousy? (AK)Are we stronger than He?
All to the Glory of God(AL)
23 All things are lawful [g]for me, but not all things are (AM)helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things [h]edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one (AN)the other’s well-being.
25 (AO)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for (AP)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, (AQ)eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it (AR)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [i]for (AS)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For (AT)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food (AU)over which I give thanks?
31 (AV)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (AW)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just (AX)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 test
- 1 Corinthians 10:11 NU omits all
- 1 Corinthians 10:11 instruction
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 endure
- 1 Corinthians 10:16 fellowship or sharing
- 1 Corinthians 10:18 fellowshippers or sharers
- 1 Corinthians 10:23 NU omits for me
- 1 Corinthians 10:23 build up
- 1 Corinthians 10:28 NU omits the rest of v. 28.
1 Corinthians 10
King James Version
10 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;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
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.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he 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.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
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?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers 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?
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.
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.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
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.
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:
29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
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.
1 Corinthians 10
English Standard Version
Warning Against Idolatry
10 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,[a] that our fathers were all under (A)the cloud, and all (B)passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and (C)all ate the same (D)spiritual food, 4 and (E)all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for (F)they were overthrown[b] in the wilderness.
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as (G)they did. 7 (H)Do not be idolaters (I)as some of them were; as it is written, (J)“The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8 (K)We must not indulge in sexual immorality (L)as some of them did, and (M)twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ[c] to the test, (N)as some of them did and (O)were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, (P)as some of them did and (Q)were destroyed by (R)the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but (S)they were written down for our instruction, (T)on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore (U)let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. (V)God is faithful, and (W)he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
14 Therefore, my beloved, (X)flee from idolatry. 15 I speak (Y)as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 (Z)The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? (AA)The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are (AB)one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider (AC)the people of Israel:[d] (AD)are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that (AE)an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice (AF)they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 (AG)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (AH)the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and (AI)the table of demons. 22 (AJ)Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? (AK)Are we stronger than he?
Do All to the Glory of God
23 (AL)“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 (AM)Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 (AN)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For (AO)“the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, (AP)eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean (AQ)your conscience, but his. For (AR)why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that (AS)for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or (AT)whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (AU)Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to (AV)the church of God, 33 just as (AW)I try to please everyone in everything I do, (AX)not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 10:1 Or brothers and sisters
- 1 Corinthians 10:5 Or were laid low
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts the Lord
- 1 Corinthians 10:18 Greek Consider Israel according to the flesh
Copyright © 2024 by Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
