Articles

First Corinthians – Part 24

Introduction:

Last time we looked at the age times and how the ends of the ages fell on those in the Acts period and NOT US! We shall now continue with verse 12

Chapter 10:12-16

After the examples of unbelief have been recited in verses 7-11 Paul says:

KJG  1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
TBT  1 Corinthians 10:12 ὥστε ὁ δοκῶν ἑστάναι, βλεπέτω μὴ πέσῃ.

The two verbs ἑστάναι, πέσῃ. “to stand” and “to fall” are strongly symbolic and remind the reader that if you take pride in assuming that you are standing in faith then you really need to take stock because the price for standing in faith is eternal vigilence. To fall is common and to stand is uncommon. This looks like a very difficult job and Paul quickly adds a truth that helps make us feel a little more secure

KJG  1 Corinthians 10:13 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.
TBT  1 Corinthians 10:13 πειρασμὸς ὑμᾶς οὐκ εἴληφεν εἰ μὴ ἀνθρώπινος· πιστὸς δὲ ὁ Θεός, ὃς οὐκ ἐάσει ὑμᾶς πειρασθῆναι ὑπὲρ ὃ δύνασθε, ἀλλὰ ποιήσει σὺν τῷ πειρασμῷ καὶ τὴν ἔκβασιν, τοῦ δύνασθαι ὑμᾶς ὑπενεγκεῖν.

The verb for “taken” (εἴληφεν) is in the perfect tense — the idea being that in any matter in the past all temptations that took you were of the human kind (ἀνθρώπινος). But God IS (present) faithful who WILL (future – ἐάσει) NOT allow you to be tempted above what you are able to handle. Past, Present and Future tenses assembled here to make us feel a connection with all temptation and Gods provision through time. But will with the temptation also (kai) provide a way out (ἔκβασιν) and in this way we can bear it. All the temptations that the Corinthians had suffered were of the kind that humans endure — BUT all of them had a way of escape in the context. Below is a lemma concordance for anthropinos (common to man)– Peter uses it in an interesting way: 

KJG  1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
TBT  1 Peter 2:13 Ὑποτάγητε οὖν πάσῃ ἀνθρωπίνῃ κτίσει διὰ τὸν Κύριον· εἴτε βασιλεῖ, ὡς ὑπερέχοντι·

There is nothing here that would make us believe that this is not applicable to us in this age.  There will be a way out — we however may not find it due to our business and lack of spiritual sight. We may also see it and choose not to take it. This does not invalidate God’s provision.

KJG  1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
TBT  1 Corinthians 10:14 Διόπερ, ἀγαπητοί μου, φεύγετε ἀπὸ τῆς εἰδωλολατρείας.

Therefore – flee! The way will be made to do it so make sure in the case of idolatry that you do it. Paul now majors on a problem that befell the Corinthians and would be a particular problem to the Jewish believers when they saw Gentile believers eating meats offered to idols.

KJG  1 Corinthians 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
TBT  1 Corinthians 10:15 ὡς φρονίμοις λέγω, κρίνατε ὑμεῖς ὅ φημι.

The statements Paul is about to make will need to be considered by the wise. He has no control over who reads — this amounts to a warning that judgment of the veracity of the words can only be judged by exercizing a good amount of wisdom. (κρίνατε ὑμεῖς ὅ φημι) Judge what  I say!! 

KJG  1 Corinthians 10:16 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?
TBT  1 Corinthians 10:16 τὸ ποτήριον τῆς εὐλογίας ὃ εὐλογοῦμεν, οὐχὶ κοινωνία τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐστί; τὸν ἄρτον ὃν κλῶμεν, οὐχὶ κοινωνία τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐστίν;

The cup of blessing is apparently a part of the Jewish tradition pertaining to the Passover.