The Old Testament Our Example
NOW brothers, I would not have you ignorant of the fact, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And all ate the same spiritual food;
4 And all drank the same spiritual drink: for they drank from that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 ¶ But with many of them God was not pleased: for they were scattered (killed) in the desert.
6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent we lust not after evil, as they lusted.
7 Neither be idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written: The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed: and in one day, fell twenty three thousand.
9 Neither let us test Christ, as also some of them put Him to the test, and were destroyed by serpents.
10 Neither murmur, as also some of them murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11 ¶ Now all these things happened to them for examples: and they are written for a warning to us, upon whom the ends of the ages has come.
12 Therefore let him that presumes that he stands, take heed lest he fall.
13 No temptation has taken hold of you except that which is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tested beyond that which you are able: rather will, with the temptation, also make an end point, that you may be able to endure.
Fellowship of Christ
14 ¶ Therefore my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as wise, you judge what I say:
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the fellowship of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the fellowship of the body of Christ?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all share in that one bread.
18 ¶ Consider Israel according to the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar?
19 What do I say then? that the idol is anything, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything?
20 Rather I say: that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I do not wish you to have fellowship with demons.
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons; you cannot share in the Lord’s table, and of the table of demons.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?
Do All to the Glory of God
23 ¶ All things are available to me, but not all things are beneficial: all things are available to me, but not all things build up.
24 Let no man seek his own advantage, rather one another’s.
25 Whatsoever is sold in the meat market, eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
27 ¶ Now, if any of those that do not believe invite you, and you wish to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
28 But if any man says to you: This is offered in sacrifice to idols; do not eat, for his sake that revealed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:
29 Conscience, I say, not your own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?
30 For if I, by grace partake, why am I blasphemed for that which I give thanks?
31 ¶ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all for the purpose of God’s glory.
32 Give no offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Congregation of God:
33 Even as I do, pleasing all men in all things, seeking not my own advantage, rather the advantage of many, that they may be saved.