Warnings from Israel's Past

(Numbers 16:41-50; Numbers 25:1-5)

1For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, how that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3and did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ. 5Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9Neither let us tempt the Lord, as some of them tempted, and perished by the serpents. 10Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer. 11Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come. 12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.

Flee from Idolatry

(Exodus 20:22-23; Leviticus 19:1-8)

14Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ? 17seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread. 18Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they which eat the sacrifices communion with the altar? 19What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with devils. 21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils. 22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

Do All to the God's Glory

23All things are lawful; but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful; but all things edify not. 24Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbour's good. 25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience sake; 26for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast, and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: 29conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other's; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience? 30If I by grace partake, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God: 33even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.