Formerly Paul urged the Corinthians to flee fornication ( 1 Corinthians 6:18; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:8). Now he concluded all he said in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 with the charge to flee idolatry, the worship of idols (cf. 1 John 5:21). He commanded his readers to use the way of escape, God"s enabling grace, immediately. He softened his strong command with an affectionate address ("my beloved"). Amoral activities are all right for the Christian, but if they involve or lead to idolatry we should avoid them. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
1 Corinthians 10:11-22 - Have No Fellowship With Evil
By the end of the world is meant the end of one great era and the beginning of another. The Jewish dispensation was passing, the Christian age coming. What gracious encouragement shines in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13! Our faithful God! The tempter must get permission before assailing us, Luke 22:32. No temptation is unprecedented, and as others have conquered so may we, Hebrews 4:15. The pressure of temptation is always accompanied by a corresponding store of grace, if only our eyes were open to perceive it.
To abstain from idol feasts was the clear duty of all Christians. By partaking of heathen sacrifices which were offered to demons, they became one with the demons and their votaries; just as in the Lord's Supper we show our oneness not only with the Savior but with each other. It was clear, therefore, that the Corinthian Christians could not consistently partake of idol feasts and the Lord's Supper. What an incentive is given here to frequent and reverent participation in the Lord's Supper! It proclaims our union with Him and His people, and it gives us a distaste for all that is alien to its spirit. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 10
1The sacraments of the Jews are types of ours; 7and their punishments, 11examples for us 13We must flee from idolatry 21We must not make the Lord's table the table of demons; 24and in all things we must have regard for our brothers
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 10:14
Wherefore [διοπερ] Powerfully Paul applies the example of the Israelites to the perilous state of the Corinthians about idolatry. See note on 1 Corinthians 10:7 for word ειδωλολατρεια eidōlolatreia f0). [source]
Idolatry [] Notice the article: the idolatry, the temptation of which is constantly present in the idol-feasts. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 10:14
1 Corinthians 8:10If a man see thee which hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol‘s temple [εαν γαρ τις ιδηι σε τον εχοντα γνωσιν εν ειδωλειωι κατακειμενον] Condition of third class, a possible case. Paul draws the picture of the enlightened brother exercising his “liberty” by eating in the idol‘s temple. Later he will discuss the peril to the man‘s own soul in this phase of the matter (1 Corinthians 10:14-22), but here he considers only the effect of such conduct on the unenlightened or weak brother. This bravado at a sacrificial banquet is in itself idolatrous as Paul will show. But our weak brother will be emboldened Alas, how often that has happened. Defiance is flung in the face of the unenlightened brother instead of loving consideration. [source]
2 Corinthians 6:16Agreement [συνκατατεσις] Fifth of these words. Late word, but common, though here only in N.T. Approved by putting together the votes. In the papyri εκ συνκατατεσεως ek sunkatatheseōs means “by agreement.” On the temple of God and idols see 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. See note on Luke 23:51 for the verb συνκατατιτημι sunkatatithēmi [source]
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 10:14
Powerfully Paul applies the example of the Israelites to the perilous state of the Corinthians about idolatry. See note on 1 Corinthians 10:7 for word ειδωλολατρεια eidōlolatreia f0). [source]
Notice the article: the idolatry, the temptation of which is constantly present in the idol-feasts. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 10:14
Condition of third class, a possible case. Paul draws the picture of the enlightened brother exercising his “liberty” by eating in the idol‘s temple. Later he will discuss the peril to the man‘s own soul in this phase of the matter (1 Corinthians 10:14-22), but here he considers only the effect of such conduct on the unenlightened or weak brother. This bravado at a sacrificial banquet is in itself idolatrous as Paul will show. But our weak brother will be emboldened Alas, how often that has happened. Defiance is flung in the face of the unenlightened brother instead of loving consideration. [source]
Fifth of these words. Late word, but common, though here only in N.T. Approved by putting together the votes. In the papyri εκ συνκατατεσεως ek sunkatatheseōs means “by agreement.” On the temple of God and idols see 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. See note on Luke 23:51 for the verb συνκατατιτημι sunkatatithēmi [source]
Only here in the epistle. It often suggests an argument. See 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 7:1. [source]