Old Testament Examples
1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were underthe cloud, all passed throughthe sea,
2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
3 all ate the samespiritual food,
4 and all drank the samespiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, fortheirbodieswere scattered in the wilderness.
6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things asthey also lusted.
7 And do not become idolaters asweresome of them. As it is written,“The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, assome of them did, andin one day twenty-three thousand fell;
9 nor let us tempt Christ, assome of them also tempted, andwere destroyed by serpents;
10 nor complain, assome of them also complained, andwere destroyed bythe destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, andthey were written for our admonition,upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12 Thereforelet him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; butGodisfaithful,who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bearit.
Flee from Idolatry
14 Therefore, my beloved,flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as towise men; judge for yourselves what I say.
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?
17 Forwe,thoughmany, are one breadandone body; for we all partake of that one bread.
18 ObserveIsraelafter the flesh:Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What am I saying then?That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?
20 Rather, that the things which the Gentilessacrificethey sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord andthe cup of demons; you cannot partake of theLord’s table and of the table of demons.
22 Or do weprovoke the Lord to jealousy?Are we stronger than He?
All to the Glory of God
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things arehelpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
24 Let no one seek his own, but each onethe other’swell-being.
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake;
26 for“the earthistheLord’s, and all its fullness.”
27 If any of those who do not believe invites youtodinner,and you desire to go,eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake.
28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat itfor the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for“the earthistheLord’s, and all its fullness.”
29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. Forwhy is my liberty judged by anotherman’sconscience?
30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of forthefoodover which I give thanks?
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
33 justas I also please allmenin allthings,not seeking my own profit, but theprofitof many, that they may be saved.