Learning from Israel’s Failures

1For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3and all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were all drinking from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were cut down in the wilderness. 6These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did. 7So do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” 8And let us not be immoral, as some of them were, and twenty-three thousand died in a single day. 9And let us not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by snakes. 10And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. 11These things happened to them as examples and were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12So let the one who thinks he is standing be careful that he does not fall. 13No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Avoid Idol Feasts

14So then, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15I am speaking to thoughtful people. Consider what I say. 16Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all share the one bread. 18Look at the people of Israel. Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19Am I saying that idols or food sacrificed to them amount to anything? 20No, I mean that what the pagans sacrifice is to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot take part in the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22Or are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we really stronger than he is?

Live to Glorify God

23“Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds others up. 24Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person. 25Eat anything that is sold in the marketplace without questions of conscience, 26for the earth and its abundance are the Lord’s. 27If an unbeliever invites you to dinner and you want to go, eat whatever is served without asking questions of conscience. 28But if someone says to you, “This is from a sacrifice,” do not eat, because of the one who told you and because of conscience – 29I do not mean yours but the other person’s. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I blamed for the food that I give thanks for? 31So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32Do not give offense to Jews or Greeks or to the church of God, 33just as I also try to please everyone in all things. I do not seek my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.