1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10:1

The time is coming when every one’s work shall be made manifest: for the day of the Lord, that great and final day, shall declare it - To all the world. For it is revealed - What faith beholds as so certain and so near is spoken of as already present. By fire; yea, the fire shall try every one’s work, of what sort it is - The strict process of that day will try every man’s doctrines, whether they come up to the scripture standard or not. Here is a plain allusion to the flaming light and consuming heat of the general conflagration. But the expression, when applied to the trying of doctrines, and consuming those that are wrong, is evidently figurative; because no material fire can have such an effect on what is of a moral nature. And therefore it is added, he who builds wood, hay, or stubble, shall be saved as through the fire - Or, as narrowly as a man escapes through the fire, when his house is all in flames about him. This text, then, is so far from establishing the Romish purgatory, that it utterly overthrows it. For the fire here mentioned does not exist till the day of judgment: therefore, if this be the fire of purgatory, it follows that purgatory does not exist before the day of judgment.

1 Corinthians 10:2

He shall receive a reward - A peculiar degree of glory. Some degree even the other will receive, seeing he held the foundation; though through ignorance he built thereon what would not abide the fire.

1 Corinthians 10:3

He shall suffer loss - The loss of that peculiar degree of glory.

1 Corinthians 10:4

Ye - All Christians. Are the temple of God - The most noble kind of building, 1 Corinthians 3:9.

1 Corinthians 10:5

If any man destroy the temple of God - Destroy a real Christian, by schisms, or doctrines fundamentally wrong. Him shall God destroy - He shall not be saved at all; not even as through the fire."

1 Corinthians 10:6

Let him become a fool in this world - Such as the world accounts so. That he may become wise - In God’s account.

1 Corinthians 10:7

For all the boasted wisdom of the world is mere foolishness in the sight of God. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness - Not only while they think they are acting wisely, but by their very wisdom, which itself is their snare, and the occasion of their destruction. Job 5:13.

1 Corinthians 10:8

That they are but vain - Empty, foolish; they and all their thoughts. Psalms 94:11.

1 Corinthians 10:9

Therefore - Upon the whole. Let none glory in men - So as to divide into parties on their account. For all things are yours - and we in particular. We are not your lords, but rather your servants.

1 Corinthians 10:10

Whether Paul or Apollos, or Cephas - We are all equally yours, to serve you for Christ’s sake. Or the world - This leap from Peter to the world greatly enlarges the thought, and argues a kind of impatience of enumerating the rest. Peter and every one in the whole world, however excellent in gifts, or grace, or office, are also your servants for Christ’s sake. Or life, or death - These, with all their various circumstances, are disposed as will be most for your advantage. Or things present - On earth. Or things to come - In heaven. Contend, therefore, no more about these little things; but be ye united in love, as ye are in blessings.

1 Corinthians 10:11

And ye are Christ’s - His property, his subjects. his members. And Christ is God’s - As Mediator, he refers all his services to his Father’s glory.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Let a man account us, as servants of Christ - The original word properly signifies such servants as laboured at the oar in rowing vessels; and, accordingly, intimates the pains which every faithful minister takes in his Lord’s work. O God, where are these ministers to be found? Lord, thou knowest. And stewards of the mysteries of God - Dispenseth of the mysterious truths of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 10:15

Yea, I judge not myself - My final state is not to be determined by my own judgment.

1 Corinthians 10:16

I am not conscious to myself of anything evil; yet am I not hereby justified - I depend not on this, as a sufficient justification of myself in God’s account. But he that judgeth me is the Lord - By his sentence I am to stand or fall.

1 Corinthians 10:17

Therefore judge nothing before the time - Appointed for judging all men. Until the Lord come, who, in order to pass a righteous judgment, which otherwise would be impossible, will both bring to light the things which are now covered with impenetrable darkness, and manifest the most secret springs of action, the principles and intentions of every heart. And then shall every one - Every faithful steward, have praise of God.

1 Corinthians 10:18

These things - Mentioned, 1 Corinthians 1:10, &c. I have by a very obvious figure transferred to myself and Apollos - And Cephas, instead of naming those particular preachers at Corinth, to whom ye are so fondly attached. That ye may learn by us - From what has been said concerning us, who, however eminent we are, are mere instruments in God’s hand. Not to think of any man above what is here written - Or above what scripture warrants. 1 Corinthians 3:7

1 Corinthians 10:19

Who maketh thee to differ - Either in gifts or graces. As if thou hadst not received it - As if thou hadst it originally from thyself.

1 Corinthians 10:20

Now ye are full - The Corinthians abounded with spiritual gifts; and so did the apostles: but the apostles, by continual want and sufferings, were kept from self - complacency. The Corinthians suffering nothing, and having plenty of all things, were pleased with and applauded themselves; and they were like children who, being raised in the world, disregard their poor parents. Now ye are full, says the apostle, in a beautiful gradation, ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings - A proverbial expression, denoting the most splendid and plentiful circumstances. Without any thought of us. And I would ye did reign - In the best sense: I would ye had attained the height of holiness. That we might reign with you - Having no more sorrow on your account, but sharing in your happiness.

1 Corinthians 10:21

God hath set forth us last, as appointed to death - Alluding to the Roman custom of bringing forth those persons last on the stage, either to fight with each other, or with wild beasts, who were devoted to death; so that, if they escaped one day, they were brought out again and again, till they were killed.

1 Corinthians 10:22

We are fools, in the account of the world, for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ - Though ye are Christians, ye think yourselves wise; and ye have found means to make the world think you so too. We are weak - In presence, in infirmities, in sufferings. But ye are strong - In just opposite circumstances.

1 Corinthians 10:23

And are naked - Who can imagine a more glorious triumph of the truth, than that which is gained in these circumstances when St. Paul, with an impediment in his speech, and a person rather contemptible than graceful, appeared in a mean, perhaps tattered, dress before persons of the highest distinction, and yet commanded such attention. and made such deep impressions upon them!

1 Corinthians 10:24

We bless - suffer it - intreat - We do not return revilings, persecution, defamation; nothing but blessing.

1 Corinthians 10:25

We are made as the filth of the world, and offscouring of all things - Such were those poor wretches among the heathens, who were taken from the dregs of the people, to be offered as expiatory sacrifices to the infernal gods. They were loaded with curses, affronts, and injuries, all the way they went to the altars; and when the ashes of those unhappy men were thrown into the sea, these very names were given them in the ceremony.

1 Corinthians 10:26

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you - It is with admirable prudence and sweetness the apostle adds this, to prevent any unkind construction of his words.

1 Corinthians 10:27

I have begotten you - This excludes not only Apollos, his successor, but also Silas and Timothy, his companions; and the relation between a spiritual father and his children brings with it an inexpressible nearness and affection.

1 Corinthians 10:28

Be ye followers of me - In that spirit and behaviour which I have so largely declared.

1 Corinthians 10:29

My beloved son - Elsewhere he styles him “brother,” 2 Corinthians 1:1; but here paternal affection takes place. As I teach - No less by example than precept.

1 Corinthians 10:30

Now some are puffed up - St. Paul saw, by a divine light, the thoughts which would arise in their hearts. As if I would not come - Because I send Timothy.

1 Corinthians 10:31

I will know - He here shows his fatherly authority Not the big, empty speech of these vain boasters, but how much of the power of God attends them.

1 Corinthians 10:32

For the kingdom of God - Real religion, does not consist in words, but in the power of God ruling the heart.

1 Corinthians 10:33

With a rod - That is, with severity.