1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10:1

MOreover] Gr. Tec. For.

Moreover brethren, &c.] He setteth out that which before he had said, laying before them an example of the horrible judgement of God against them which had in effect the self-same pledges of the same adoption and salvation that we have, and yet notwithstanding when they gave themselves to Idol feasts perished in the wildernesse, being manifoldly and fearfully punished. Now besides that these things are fitly spoken against them who frequented Idol feasts, the same also seeme to be urged to this end and purpose, because many men are thus minded that those things are not of so great weight that God will be angry with them if they use them so, that they frequent Christian Assemblies, and be baptized, and receive the Communion, and confesse Christ.

under the cloud] See Exodus 13:21. Numbers 9:18.

passed through the sea] Exodus 14:22.

1 Corinthians 10:2

And were all baptized unto Moses] Or, into. The meaning is, as the deliverance out of Epypt was a figure of the redemption by Christ; and the wandring in the wildernesse represented the life of the faithfull in this world, and the Land of Canaan was a shadow of the kingdome of heaven: so the passage through the Red Sea was a holy figure answering Baptisme, and the Manna together with the water springing out of the Rock, the blessed Supper; (whence it appeareth that the Fathers did enjoy the same spirituall benefit which the Christian Church doth) and yet notwithstanding this many of them were punished, rooted out, and rejected of God for their sinnes; so likewise Christians ought to stand in fear of the like judgements in case they profane their profession with the like transgressions. See Hebrews 4:2. 1 Pet. 3. 21. For the phrase baptized unto Moses, though the Jews were not dipt in the Red Sea, nor for ought we read washed with the rain water of that cloud: yet because the water in the cloud and the sea resembled the element in our baptisme; and it is not unlike that they were sprinkled with the one and the other: but especially because they were that unto them in type, which baptisme is unto us in truth, the Apostle saith by an Analogie they were baptized unto Moses. The preposition in the Originall may carry a double sense; either all were baptized even unto Moses, Moses himself being not excepted. Or, all were baptized in Moses, because Moses was a typicall mediatour, and they were typically baptized in him: or they were baptized in Moses, (that is) in confirmation of the promises of grace preached and administred by Moses, and under that forme ordained of God by him, as we read, Acts 19:3. They were baptized in, or unto Johns Baptisme, that is, in the doctrine of John which was confirmed by his baptisme.

1 Corinthians 10:3

did eat the same spirituall meat] See Exodus 16:15. Though the Pronoune 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, be not in the addition by Tecla, yet it appeareth by all other ancient Copies and the Commentaries of Augustine and Chrysostome upon this Text, that it ought to be added, and that our reading is the true, all did eat the same spirituall meat, the same not onely with themselves, but with us Christians also, (for the Apostles argument here enforceth that sense) though not in the outward signs or symbols, yet in the things signified by them. The Manna indeed and the Water which issued out of the Rock, were in respect of their substance corporall meats and drinks, yet in regard of their sacramentall and spirituall signification the Apostle calleth them spirituall meat and drink. For so they were to the beleevers, who by faith in the eating and drinking of them laid hold upon Christs body and blood the true spirituall food of our soules.

1 Corinthians 10:4

spirituall drink] See Exodus 17:6. Numbers 20:11.

For they drank of that spirituall Rock] That is, the water which issued out of the Rock, Exodus 7:6. a most lively image of Christ, who being smitten of his Father (as the Rock was by Moses) at his death and suffering, streamed forth the true water of life and spirituall drink to all his Church, John 4:14. Isaiah 55:1.

that followed them] Or, went with them. By the Rock he meaneth by a figure the waters which followed from thence in severall streames and severall rivelets, running in the wildernesse along the way of the peoples passage.

and that Rock was Christ] Not indeed by any substantiall and materiall being, but onely figurative and sacramentall, which by virtue of the institution and covenant of God hath joyned with it the reall, but spirituall enjoying of Christ. Some will have the meaning to be not the Rock was Christ, that is, a type of Christ, as the Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper are called the Body and Bloud of Christ, because they are a sign and seal thereof, but Christ was the Rock that followed them: but this interpretation is not onely against the Grammaticall construction of the words, but repugnant also to the truth of the story, seeing that all the Israelites drank not out of Christ, because many of them beleeved not, and God had no pleasure at all in them, vers. 5. and Hebrews 4:2.

1 Corinthians 10:5

But with many of] Gr. in many of.

were overthrown, &c.] See Numbers 26:65.

1 Corinthians 10:6

our examples] Gr. our figures, or, our types. Some read figures, which signified our Sacrament, for circumcision was to the Jews a seal of righteousnesse, and a type of Baptisme to us, and so the Lamb of the other Sacrament; but the words following require rather that we translate it, examples; for the meaning of the Apostle is, That God set the punishment of those Israelites, as a glasse or image before us, that we in them might see what we were to look for, if we sinne as they did.

as they also lusted] See Numbers 11:4. Psalms 106:14.

1 Corinthians 10:7

The people sat down to eat and drink, &c.] See Exodus 32:6.

1 Corinthians 10:8

fell in one day three and twenty thousand] See Numbers 25:9. That is, about three and twenty thousand, for there were three and twenty thousand slain, and many others executed. See notes on Numbers 25:4. Now although there being 24 thousand slain, the Apostle might truly say, three and twenty thousand, because the lesser number is included in the greater; yet it may be that in the first Copie 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by an abbreviation, which the transcriber mistook for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifying three.

1 Corinthians 10:9

Neither let us tempt Christ] Gr. Tec. tempt God. To tempt Christ, is to provoke him to a combat, as it were, which those men do who abuse the knowledge that he hath given them, and make it to serve for a cloak for their lusts and wickednesse. In the Edition of Tecla it is, tempted God, which is more easily to be understood, because Christ was not then come in the flesh; yet our reading may stand, because they tempted the Sonne of God, who in the fulnesse of time took our nature upon him, and was called Christ, as the Rock is said to be Christ; and so Christ himself speaketh, John 8. 58. Before Abraham was I am.

and were destroyed of serpents] See Numbers 21:6.

1 Corinthians 10:10

were destroyed of the destroyer] See Numbers 14:37.

1 Corinthians 10:11

happened unto them for examples] Gr. Tec. fell out to them typically.

ensamples] Or, types.

admonition] Or, instruction.

ends of the world are come] This our age is called the end, because it is the shutting up of all ages, it is as it were the bottom and lees, the remnant and refuge of time.

1 Corinthians 10:13

temptation] By temptation he meaneth affliction, as the word is taken, James 1. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 6. Ye rejoyce greatly, though now for a season, if need be, you be in heavinesse through manifold temptations, that the triall of your faith being much more precious then of gold tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour.

common to man] Or, incident to man. That is, such as usually befaileth men, even Gods dearest children, or such as may be born by man in this life especially, assisted by Gods grace, which is alwayes sufficient for Gods children. It may signifie also moderate afflictions, as 2 Samuel 7:17. I will chasten him with the rod of men, that is, moderately and with compassion; for it followeth, vers. 15. but my mercie shall not depart away from him.

also make a way to escape] Or, give an issue.

1 Corinthians 10:16

The cup of blessing which we blesse] The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifieth both to blesse & give thanks yet in this place it must rather be endred blesse then give thanks, seeing it cannot be said, that we give thanks to the cup, but well may be said to blesse the cup when we consecrate it in the Church, to serve for the sacramentall use of the Lords Supper, by solemne prayer and thanksgiving; this kinde of separating it from the common use, and dedicating it to a holy, may be termed the blessing it, as the word blessing is used, Genesis 2:3. Exod. 20 11. where it is said, that God blessed and hallowed the seventh day, by separating it from other common dayes, and appointing it for a holy peculiar use.

communion of the bloud of Christ] The sacrament thereof accompanyed with the effect and spirituall realitie, by the operation of the holy Ghost: or, a signe and pledge of the spirituall communion which we have together, who by faith participate the body and blood of Christ, as it is said, that the Israelites communicated with the Altar, and those that did eat things sacrificed to devils, are said, to communicate with devils.

1 Corinthians 10:18

after the flesh] Or, according to the flesh.

1 Corinthians 10:19

that the idol is any thing] The Apostle may seem to allude to 1 Samuel 12:21. where the idoll is called Thohu that is, nothing whereupon the words of Jonathas are, worship not idols, quia nihil sunt, they are nothing, they can do you no good, or, are worth nothing. The meaning of the Apostle is, as I shewed before, that the idol hath no force in it to sanctifie or profane the meate, neither is that which is sacrificed to idols any thing, that is, the offering the meat to the idol, doth nothing to the meat it self, nor maketh it unclean or unholy.

1 Corinthians 10:20

the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, &c.] See Deuteronomy 32:17. Psalms 106:37.

fellowship with devils] Have any thing to do with them, or enter into that societie which is begun in their name.

1 Corinthians 10:21

cup of devils] The heathen and profane people were wont to shut up and make an end of their feasts which they kept to the honour of their gods, in offering meat-off rings in dishes, and drink-offerings in cups: these cups the Apostle calls the cups of devils.

ye cannot be partakers] That is, ye may not be partakers, for possumus quod jure possumus; or, ye cannot be partakers of both, but that you will provoke the wrath of God against you; as it followeth in the next verse.

1 Corinthians 10:23

for me] Gr. to me.

are not expedient] Gr. profit not.

1 Corinthians 10:25

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles] Here the Apostle permitteth, that all things that are brought to the Market, may serve us for food, notwithstanding that it happened oftentimes that some of the same meat which had been offered unto Idols, was brought to Market afterwards, when namely it had not been eaten up in their Idoll feasts, but carried away whole; now being brought to Market or Shambles again, the Idol was no more honoured by it, but it was taken for common meat.

1 Corinthians 10:26

For the earth is th Lords, and the fulnesse thereof] See Deuteronomy 10:14. Psalms 24:1.

1 Corinthians 10:29

for why is my libertie judged] If I may through Gods benefit eat this or that meat, why should I through my fault cause that benefit of God to turn to my blame? Or knowing by the Word of God that it is left free to me to eat or not eat, why should I subject the judgement of my own conscience to that of another and weaker one, so far as to suffer my self to be traduced? it sufficeth for me, that for their sakes I do refrain feeding on such and such viands at this time, and yet conserve the libertie in my minde at other times, and elsewhere to eate of all with thanksgiving.

1 Corinthians 10:30

grace] Or, thansgiving.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat or drink, &c.] See Col. 3. 17.

1 Corinthians 10:32

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor Gentiles] Gr. Be ye unoffensive to Jews and Gentiles.

Give none offence, &c.] See 2 Corinth. 6. 3. Under these three sorts he comprehends all men which were then either Jews, or Paynims, or Christians, of whom we must beware, not to scandalize any by the use of our libertie, especially if they be such of whom we may conceive hope, that they may be won by us.

Gentiles] Gr. Greeks.