1 Corinthians 10:22

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? (KJV)

Then: From one point of view the verse summarizes Paul's points about not eating food offered to idols because it may provoke the Lord to jealousy. From another point of view the verse is a transition to Paul's next point. He moves the Corinthians to consider giving glory to God, the one who is the strongest and most able in all circumstances of life (including eternal life).

Now: All believers take time to consider their personal actions and the Lord's view of them. Do we cause him to be jealous at any point? If so, the answer is simple. Stop it! And if you need help, call on his strength.

1 Corinthians 10:21

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils (KJV)

Then: Paul brings the Corinthians minds back to the Lord's supper, but this time to the wine rather than the bread. Still it's the same as verse 20 --a flat out statement. Believers cannot please a jealous God, the one true Lord and worship anywhere else. The commentators find no significance in the order of Paul's points concerning the bread or the wine. Both Hayes and Baker agree that Paul just has more to say about the bread as the body than than he has to say about the cup (Baker, p. 149; Hayes, p. 167).

Now: Paul's principle and directive is as clear today as in the first century. What he says matches Jesus teaching that no one can serve two masters. Today's Christians may need to work harder to discern the evidence of idolatry in their lives, but it must be done.

Extra source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.
First Corinthians by Richard B. Hayes (John Knox Press, 1997) on line at http://books.google.com/books?id=M_PC0PAs3VYC&dq=1+Corinthians+and+Richard+B.+Hays&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=2oPcStDCIIvf8Aaq0Ki3BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CCMQ6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=1%20Corinthians%20and%20Richard%20B.%20Hays&f=false

I Corinthians 10:20

But 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 fellowship with devils. (KJV)

Then: Paul again answers his own questions. This is the first time he actually names the Gentiles' "table partners" (translation by N. T. Wright, p. 130). The Corinthians can no longer escape Paul's reasoning. They already know that in breaking and eating the bread, they share the remembrances of Christ's death - his broken body on the cross, broken for them. Now as they normally celebrate Christ's resurrection through communion, they deny him by eating and celebrating before idols in temples (Baker, p. 148). Even though the idols themselves are not real gods, they represent an evil dimension. Paul wants the Corinthians to understand and flee from all evil. They must to maintain their salvation.

Now: Today's Christians need to understand exactly what happens during communion as much as the Corinthians needed to know. Anything sacrificed elsewhere makes an alliance outside of God's will, offends him, and tempts him to wrath. Have no fellowship with the demons of darkness.

Extra source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.

1 Corinthians 10:19

What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? (KJV)

Then: Questions four and five still follow after Paul's thought about the "bread," the body, during communion. Can an idol be completely ignored as nothing if it so closely and intricately relates to the gentile practice of worship? When Paul says "no," neither can the Corinthians say "no." The practice of eating definitely has meaning. The question is "Will they be so convicted that they will abandon their practice (Baker, p. 147) and only participate in the Lord's supper?"

Now: Their are instances of Satanic worship in American culture, so there are today some who must directly deal with this question and teaching as Paul originally presented it. For the most part however, sacrificing principles and performing actions which do not honor Christ is hidden from view. Like the Corinthians, though, choices need to be brought into the light, scrutinized, and evaluated. If conviction regarding dishonor to the Lord is revealed, the practices need to be abandoned.

Extra source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.

1 Corinthians 10:18

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? (KJV)

Then: Paul refers to the Israelites' normal practice of sacrificing offerings to the Lord. Commentators take this as a good example (not the part about their sacrificing to Baal) which then contrasts with the unworthy actions of Corinthians' offerings to the temple gods. The verse is the third of six rhetorical questions noted by Baker (p. 147). It pushes (or draws) knowledge conscious Corinthians to evaluate their own actions.

Now: When today's believers turn to the idea of bringing gifts to the altar, they are also drawn into an evaluation of their gifts - worthy or unworthy? Gifts to the Lord or thoughtlessly wasted on anther altar?

Extra source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.

1 Corinthians 10:17

For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread (KJV)

Then: Here is the platform for the questions in verse 16. All who eat form one unit, one body, as they partake of the bread. None in the body should be simultaneously associated with worshiping in a temple. Dunn and Rogerson (p. 1335) push forward to other verses and distinguish three kinds of meals: Communion in the church, meals in Corinth's temples, and meals eaten by the Israelites. Corinthians should conclude that eating in the temples belied their belief in the Lord. Dunn and Rogerson also intimate what Dr. Magness points out in class notes. This verse is a remarkable precursor for Paul's comparison of the members of a church being members of a human body - each with distinct purposes and functions designated for the good of the whole.

Now: The church still partakes of one bread while being one body - symbolically during the time of a communion meal and actually, as members serve doing his will throughout their earthly lives.

Extra source: Eerdmans commentary on the Bible by James D. G. Dunn, John William Rogerson on line at http://books.google.com/books?id=2Vo-11umIZQC&pg=PA1353&lpg=PA1353&dq=1+Corinthians+9+commentary&source=bl&ots=5QeQaYWrMS&sig=S5F3KcA_TvNMyywqRiimySoUYtc&hl=en&ei=QqHPSouICIWj8AaZxqyABA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CBkQ6AEwBzgU#v=onepage&q=1%20Corinthians%209%20commentary&f=false

1 Corinthians 10:16

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? (KJV)

Then: Baker (p. 147) has readers realize Paul is beginning a series of six rhetorical questions. Two are here. Hayes (p. 167) explains that Corinthians who realize that eating in a church communion (fellowship, friendship, and koinonia) obviously reveals a relationship with Christ, must also realize that anyone taking part in a temple meal displays a relationship with that god.

Now: The time of communion is a means of worship in the whole body, wherein individuals join together to be the body at worship. We state our alliance with the Christ, our dependence upon him, and intention to continue carrying out our obligations to him (Henry).

Extra source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.
First Corinthians by Richard B. Hayes (John Knox Press, 1997) on line athttp://books.google.com/books?id=M_PC0PAs3VYC&dq=1+Corinthians+and+Richard+B.+Hays&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=2oPcStDCIIvf8Aaq0Ki3BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CCMQ6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=1%20Corinthians%20and%20Richard%20B.%20Hays&f=falseCommentary on the Whole Bible (Acts to Revelation) by Matthew Henry, online see http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc6.iCor.xi.html

Interim notes on Chapter 6

Leaving chapter six, I have little enthusiasm to keep on. The discussion of sexual immorality is so depressing. Two thousand years and so little progress seems to have been made. Everywhere you look in today's culture, sex intrudes. Stores, movies, literature, advertisements, conversations among the less aware, you can't escape it. Often just because the word is used, the listener is supposed to laugh.

When Paul moves on to the subject of sex within marriage, I'm so worn out that even though Paul takes a more lenient approach, I'm not mentally prepared to continue. Somehow Paul was and did. Probably through his concern for the Corinthians. That seems to be the only answer. He cares so much that they get it right, he perseveres and does not turn his back on them. Thankfully God is the same. I depend on his faithfulness to stay beside me. He never turns his back on me no matter the trial or imperfections. - So forward into the paradigms of Christian marriage norms in a secular world. .. .. .. God's blessings to all.

1 Corinthians 6:20

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (KJV)

Then: Paul summarizes and gives an action statement for the Corinthians and for all Christians. Corinthians can turn sin because Christ's death on the cross took away the punishment, that is paid the debt for our sins. Freed to glorify God, Paul wants his hearers who could have done nothing to free themselves (Barnes) to look forward with joy by glorifying God physically and spiritually.

Now: With the daily onslaught of sexual images - advertising, culture, political correctness, laws, etc. Christians limit their understanding of giving glory to praise, prayer and time spent in church. Through the basic sinful conditions, it takes time and commitment to understand and recognize the profane nature of many actions of the body. Christ expects us to advance towards purity, to honor him in all our actions, especially those of the sexual morality.

Extra source: Barnes, Albert (1798-1870) Barnes New Testament Notes online at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/barnes/ntnotes.x.vi.xx.html

The Body is the Temple - 1 Corinthians 6:19

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (KJV)

Then: Here Paul goes again. It's back to the basics. Thiselton (p. 474) remarks that this is Number eight in the "Don't-you-know?" list. These items are not ranked according to their importance, but according to their necessity. Being included marks them as basic Christian concepts. Baker (p. 95) notes that Paul is personalizing the idea to each individual, not leaving a vague sense that the Spirit is present only in the gathered, corporate church.

Now: If anything good can possibly come from immorality, it's this assurance that individual believers, not just the corporate body are the temple of God, that therefore, we are each claimed by God. None of our actions bring glory or shame to any one but him. The verse is rarely used in relation to sexual immorality, but is a constant help and reminder that the Lord is always with us. We are not alone.
[As an aside, this precept of each individual being the temple of God, makes a problematic thorn in Paul's presentation about women having to be verified by paternal/spousal/ecclesial approval of a male ordered society. The precept does fit in with Paul's concept of a mutual-submission ordered society.]

Extra source: The First Epistle to the Corinthians: a commentary on the Greek text by Anthony C. Thiselton (Authentic Media, c2000) online at http://books.google.com/books?id=IHG_DNLpmroC&dq=1st+Corinthian+commentaries&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=W9fQSpC1GILplAfHiumoCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CB8Q6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.