I Corinthians 9:24-10:13
In the first six chapters of Paul’s first epistle to the church at Corinth, the apostle addressed issues which were in need of correction. Beginning with chapter 7, the apostle answers specific questions from individuals within the church. The nature of their questions is revealed through Paul’s answers — answers that have been preserved as New Testament scripture for our benefit.
After addressing the authority and responsibilities of church leaders, Paul shifts to individual believers and their responsibilities. Paul uses the imagery of a physical foot race to illustrate the manner in which believers are to pursue spiritual rewards. Spiritual gains do not diminish with the passage of time. The spiritual produces incorruptible rewards (v. 25).
The race which Paul references is long in distance. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Failure to follow the rules of any competition results in disqualification. While one competes against others in a marathon, the opponent which one must defeat, however, is one’s self — one’s own limitations and weaknesses. Mastery over self requires temperance. It requires self control. Paul considered his ministry to the church at Corinth to be a spiritual reward which he could lose if he were to fail to keep his body under subjection (v. 27). When one preaches self-control and fails to practice self-control, one’s preaching becomes ineffective. In verse 27, Paul states that failure to keep his body under subjection would be cause for God to cast him aside.
In chapter 10, Paul directs the Corinthians (and us) to consider that which God caused to fall upon the children of Israel following their exodus from Egypt. Many of the children of Israel were cast aside by God and were not allowed to enter into the promised land (see Numbers 14:11-32). Paul instructed the Corinthians to be cognisant of the fact that every single individual who was denied entrance had been led by the cloud (the visual presence of God) and delivered from Egypt because they passed through the sea on dry ground (the way of deliverance which God made for them). All who perished in the wilderness had partaken of the same spiritual food and drink as them who entered into Canaan with Joshua and Caleb. They drank of the Rock which is Christ — the water of life. Paul uses the example of the children of Israel to illustrate that salvation (being saved from one’s sins) does not spare believers from incurring God’s displeasure and judgment.
In verse 6, Paul states that the purpose for which the account of Israel’s being overthrown in the wilderness is scripture. It is God’s intent that we should not do as Israel did. Israel lusted after evil things. One can eat and drink of the Rock which is Christ and be overcome by lust of the flesh (evil things). Being saved from one’s sin does not prevent one from sinning. All of Israel was saved from sin (Egypt) when they passed through the sea. The disobedient were punished by God after He saved them. God’s barring the disobedient from entering the promised land should not be equated to loss of salvation. Moses was denied entry into Canaan.
God’s grace beyond measure saves all who believe. Grace beyond measure did not prevent Israel from being overthrown in the wilderness — being cast aside (v. 5). The failure to trust God after He had saved them was cause for all of age twenty and older to be punished by Him.
As stated earlier, the text before us consist of Paul’s answers to specific questions. In verses 7 to 10, Paul addresses questions relating to idolatry, fornication, tempting Christ and murmurings. Again, the Lord’s dealings with the indiscretions of the children of Israel reveal that He requires accountability from all whom He has saved.
Paul would have all believers consider Exodus 32 (worship of the golden calf); Numbers 25 (whoredom with the daughters of Moab); Exodus 16:2-3 and Numbers 21:5-6 (speaking against God). In verse 11, the apostle states: “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” Old Testament scripture exists for the benefit of New Testament believers. We cannot do that which God would have us do in the way which He would have us do it without listening to all which the Holy Spirit has spoken in both the New and the Old.
Verse 12 are words of warning — a warning against wrong thinking. Israel of old paid the price of its wrong thinking. New Testament believers can easily fall victim to our own wrong thinkings. We need look to God. Trusting in our own understandings can result in disaster. God, alone, has understanding. Proverbs 3:5 states: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
In verse 13, Paul reveals an understanding which God would have all believers embrace and act upon. God is faithful to all that He has said. He has said that He shall not put upon us more than we can bear. God knows us better than we know ourselves. There is a double promise in this verse. First, God promises that we will not be subjected to any temptation which is too great to bear. The promise of a way of escape is in addition to His first promise. The way of escape which He promises is preceded by “also.” In the event that we should fail to do that which we are able, He provides us with a way of escape.
Believers can fall and shall fall to temptation if we follow Israel’s example. Israel did not trust the God who saved them. Let us trust the Lord. Let us see His love in each other and declare His love to all people in all places.
